All states require residents to update their driver’s license and registration after moving. But while the process for people relocating within their home state is fairly straightforward, people moving from another state are subject to a longer list of requirements.
Failing to update your license can lead to problems with law enforcement and insurance coverage. If you’re caught driving with an out-of-state license outside the official grace period, police can ticket you. They may even file misdemeanor charges if they catch you doing it on multiple occasions. Driving on an out-of-state license can also provide insurance companies with grounds to deny your claims if you get in an accident.
To help you avoid legal and administrative headaches, this short guide will walk you through the process, listing the tests, documents, and fees you’ll have to submit in order to update your license and registration after an interstate move.
Because all states have strict laws regarding motor vehicles, transferring your driver’s license should be one of the first steps you take after moving to a new state. Every state has different requirements and deadlines, so make sure you look into the regulations before you move, not after you arrive at your new home. Fortunately, updating your license in a new state is also a reasonably straightforward process requiring you to submit some basic documents, complete a few tests, and pay a small fee.
Before you apply for a driver’s license, decide which type you want. A standard driver’s license allows you to operate a motor vehicle on roads and highways. It also allows you to vote and carry out everyday tasks, like cashing checks, picking up mail, and purchasing age-restricted products.
However, it cannot be used to board domestic flights or enter federal buildings, such as courthouses and military bases. Those require a license that’s Real ID-compliant. Fortunately, many of the documents used to apply for a standard license can be used to apply for a Real ID license as well.
Every state requires you to present your driver’s license documents in person. While many welcome walk-ins, most encourage you to book an appointment to save time. When you arrive at the DMV, you’ll need to present:
When proving residency, there are a wide range of documents that will be accepted. You can check the list of accepted documents online, but most states will accept:
Bills can be submitted twice, if they were issued in separate months. For example, you can submit two electric bills if one was sent to you in July and the other was sent in August.
Because driving laws are somewhat uniform across the country, most states will not require you to complete a driving test before issuing a new license, as long as your out-of-state license is valid and unexpired. However, a few states do require new residents to pass a written test. If your license is expired, then you will likely need to complete a road test in addition to a written one.
However, one test that practically all new residents have to complete is a vision test. Drivers are normally required to have 20/40 vision in both eyes or 20/40 vision in one and 20/70 vision in the other, with or without corrective lenses.
Every state charges fees for driver’s licenses, though the exact amount differs considerably depending on your location. The average cost is between $30 and $50, but some states charge closer to $20 while a few require you to pay close to $90.
Acceptable forms of payment include checks, cash, debit cards, and credit cards. A small number of states let you pay digitally with apps like Apple Pay, but policies vary between DMV offices, even ones in the same state, so it’s best to check ahead.
Registering a car, truck, or motorcycle in a new state takes longer than updating your driver’s license. Vehicles require additional tests and documentation before they can be granted legal permission to drive on public roads and highways, such as:
All states require auto insurance and none of them accept out-of-state policies, so you’ll need to purchase new insurance before registering your car. The minimum coverage required differs depending on the state, but a typical policy pays for:
Coverage limits are usually shown as numbers and slashes. For instance, a 15/30/10 policy will pay up to $15,000 to each person injured in the accident but won’t pay more than $30,000 in total medical expenses and will only pay $10,000 to cover damaged property.
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Inspection Report ensures that the 17-digit number stamped on your car, truck, or motorcycle matches its title, registration, and ownership documents. This inspection must be carried out by a recognized state official, such as a law enforcement officer, a military police officer, a licensed dealer, a county tax collector, or a division of motorist services compliance examiner.
The inspection normally requires at least one document that proves ownership, such as a bill of sale or your current registration form, as well as a government-issued ID. Once they’ve finished their test and confirmed the vehicle isn’t stolen, the inspector will hand you a signed verification form that you can present to the DMV.
To protect air quality, some states, such as California, Connecticut, and Delaware, require vehicles to pass an emissions test before being registered. The test must be performed at a recognized testing station or licensed auto shop. In some cases, the mechanic that conducts the test may be able to perform the necessary repairs to bring your vehicle up to code.
Once you’ve acquired proof of insurance, received your VIN form, and obtained an emissions report, you’ll need to submit them to the DMV along with your vehicle title and current out-of-state registration. If you're leasing your vehicle or don’t own it outright, you’ll have to obtain a copy of the title from the lien holder. You may also need to provide the lien holder’s name and address.
Some states require you to fill out an application, while others only need to see the required documents. In most states, your registration documents must be submitted in person at a state motor vehicle office, though a few places allow you to register by mail. To save time, call ahead or book an appointment online.
Registration fees vary considerably from state to state. Some are nominal, amounting to less than $50, while others are far more expensive. Fees based on your vehicle's weight, type, and fair market value can cost you over $1,000 and can’t be precisely determined before you arrive at the DMV. However, many states provide online calculators to help you estimate roughly how much money you can expect to pay when registering your vehicle.
After you establish residency in a new state, you normally have 30-90 days to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration, though this requirement is shorter in some states. California and New Mexico require you to transfer your license within ten days, while Florida and Massachusetts require you to register your vehicle within ten days.
Hawaii is an interesting exception. Because all its cars, trucks, and motorcycles have to be shipped from the mainland, the state only requires you to transfer your registration within 30 days of your vehicle’s arrival, which may be over a month after you establish residency.
For most people, cars and trucks aren’t luxuries. They’re central to the way we live our lives. We use them to get to work, transport groceries, drive our kids to school, and go out to have fun. Updating your driver’s license and vehicle registration should always be one of the first things you do after arriving in a new state—not just because it protects you from traffic fines and red tape, but also because it ensures you can live safely and comfortably in your new home.
Allied has been helping people move for over 95 years. From planning to packing to shipping, storage, and final delivery, homeowners trust us to handle the heavy lifting while they concentrate on the chapter ahead. No matter how far you’re going, we have the tools, know-how, and experience to get you there safely. Contact us today for a free quote!
