An Arizona vehicle registration connects Arizona residents with the cars they own with the state’s Motor Vehicles Division (Arizona MVD).

Step-by-Step Arizona Car Registration Guide

Arizona residents can use this page to help them understand the registration process in their state and become aware of the proper documentation that is required for registration of cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats.

New Residents of Arizona

The state of Arizona requires all residents to register their vehicles with the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) immediately after they establish residency in this state.

In the state of Arizona, being a resident of this state involves more than having an Arizona address. Arizona considers people residents of this state if any one of the following scenarios apply:

  • Individuals have an Arizona driver’s license
  • Individuals have children attending school who are not paying out-of-state tuition
  • Individuals are employed in the state of Arizona, excluding seasonal agricultural workers
  • Individuals who remain in Arizona for 7 months or more in a single calendar year
  • An individual has an Arizona business that houses and operates vehicles in the state of Arizona
  • An individual owns an Arizona business that transports people or goods within the state
  • Individuals who are registered to vote in Arizona

Required Documentation to Register a Vehicle in Arizona

To register a vehicle in the state of Arizona, residents of this state must visit their local AZ Motor Vehicle Division in person. Prior to registering a vehicle, individuals need to make sure they have:

  • Proof of a valid Arizona auto insurance policy that meets the state of Arizona’s required coverage amounts of:
    • $25,000 per person
    • $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
    • $15,000 per accident for property damage
  • An emissions compliance form is also required. Learn more about smog and emissions checks here.

To make the registration and titling process more convenient, the state of Arizona allows its residents to register and title their vehicles at the same time. To learn more about vehicle titling, click here.

Visiting An Arizona MVD Office

When Arizona residents are ready to register or title their vehicle, they can visit their local Arizona Motor Vehicle Department and present:

  • A completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
  • Proof of a completed and passed emissions test (only if individuals are residents of Phoenix or Tucson)
    • The results of the emission test are automatically sent to the MVD, but you still need to provide documentation of a passed emissions test.
  • Proof of having a Level 1 inspection performed (if applicable)
    • Individuals who do not have their vehicle’s registration certificate and or the vehicle’s title. A Level 1 inspection verifies a vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN). The AZ Motor Vehicle Division provides this service free of charge.
  • The vehicle’s out-of-state title (if there is a lienholder, Arizona residents can show their car’s current registration certificate.
    • Residents who have lost their registration can replace their lost vehicle registration by creating an online account with the AZ MVD here.
  • The vehicle’s out-of-state license plates
  • Proof of a valid Arizona auto insurance policy
  • Photo identification (AZ residents can present their driver’s license, ID card, or similar documents as proof of identification). Check here for a list of acceptable documents.
  • Payment for AZ registration fees (see Arizona registration fees below)

The Motor Vehicle Division of Arizona will mail residents their registration documents and license plate tabs. Arizona residents can use their paper receipt as proof of registration until their official registration and tabs arrive in the mail.

Car registrations in Arizona are valid for 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years. Arizona vehicles that are exempt from AZ emissions testing are eligible for a 5-year registration. For information on Arizona title transfers, click here.

Registering a Vehicle in Arizona

The state of Arizona requires all residents to register their vehicles in person at an Arizona Motor Vehicle Division branch office.

Residents who purchase their vehicle from a dealership may be able to avoid registering their vehicle in person at an AZ MVD branch if the dealership files the appropriate paperwork on their behalf. If the dealership does not provide vehicle registration documentation, AZ residents must apply for their vehicle registration in person. Check with the dealer to confirm if they are or are not registering the vehicle.

Residents of Arizona need to appear in person at an MVD branch and present:

  • Proof of a valid an Arizona auto insurance policy
  • For Arizona residents who reside in Tucson or Phoenix, they need to provide an emissions compliance form.
    • This inspection form is provided by the inspection station. Individuals will receive an emissions compliance form when their vehicle passes the inspection.
    • Most vehicles that are 5 years old or newer are exempt from an emissions test.

Arizona residents are able to register and title their vehicle at the same time. To register a vehicle, AZ residents can visit their local MVD office in Arizona and present:

  • A completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
  • An emissions compliance form (this for is not available for download. The emissions compliance form is provided once a vehicle passes the emissions check.)
  • Proof of a valid Arizona auto insurance policy
  • Proof of vehicle ownership, such as a notarized car title or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO).
  • Photo identification (valid forms of identification include an ID card or driver’s license. For a list of acceptable documents for photo identification, click here.
  • Payment for all Arizona vehicle registration fees

The Motor Vehicle Division of Arizona will mail the registration documents as well as the license plate tabs. The receipt from the purchase of the registration will suffice as proof of registration until the official documents arrive.

Registering a Non-Operational Vehicle in Arizona

Residents of Arizona who wish to re-register their non-operational vehicle that was registered within the last 5 years, need to visit their local MVD office and present:

  • The vehicle’s identification number (VIN)
  • A completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
  • An emissions compliance document, if applicable
  • Proof of a valid Arizona vehicle insurance policy
  • A completed Registration Penalty Fee Waiver, Non-Use Application (Form 48-9402)
  • Proof of identity (check here for a list of acceptable documents for proving identity)
  • Payment for all Arizona car registration fees

Arizona residents who wish to temporarily stop using their vehicle and not renew its registration are required to surrender their license plates in person at their local AZ MVD office.

Temporary Vehicle Registration in Arizona

Arizona residents who do not have the required documentation to register their vehicle (the information listed above) can apply for a temporary registration that is valid for 90 days.

A temporary registration certificate gives AZ residents 90 days to legally operate their vehicle on Arizona highways and roadways while they’re gathering the required documentation to obtain a permanent vehicle registration certificate.

The fee for this temporary registration certificate is $15. Individuals are responsible for paying the full amount of the fees associated with the registration process.

*For information regarding military vehicle registration in Arizona, click here.

Restricted Use Permit in Arizona

Newly purchased vehicles, whether new or used, are required to be registered by the state of Arizona before it can be operated on the highways and roads of Arizona.

Arizona residents can apply for a restricted use permit that gives AZ residents a 3-day permit that allows individuals to drive their vehicle for a vehicle inspection, emissions test, or to a local MVD branch to register their vehicle.

Residents of AZ can apply for a restricted use permit online. Individuals need to be prepared to pay a $1 for the restricted use permit.

If the vehicle’s seller leaves the plates on the vehicle, the new owner of the vehicle is not allowed to drive the vehicle until it’s registered in their name. If this is the situation, individuals can surrender their plates at any MVD office.

Registration Fees in Arizona

The state of Arizona charges fees for titling and registering vehicles, and they charge a separate vehicle license tax on all vehicles that are registered in Arizona.

Registration and Titling Fees in Arizona

  • Registration fee: $8
  • Title fee: $4
  • Air Quality Research fee: $1.50
  • 3-day permit: $1
  • 90-day temporary registration fee: $15
  • Highway patrol operations fee:
    • Most AZ vehicles: $32 per vehicle per year
    • Street-legit golf cars and off-highway vehicles (OHVs): $5 per vehicle, per year

Arizona Vehicle License Tax

The state of Arizona also charges a vehicle license tax (VLT) each time AZ residents register their vehicle or renew their registration. The VLT is assessed for each $100 of your vehicle’s value. To calculate the worth of your vehicle, take 60% of the original manufacturer’s retail price. The total price will be lowered by 16.25% for every registration renewal.

Each $100 of a vehicle’s value, AZ residents will be assessed:

  • New Vehicles: $2.80
  • Used vehicles: $2.89
  • Alternative fuel vehicle: $4

Residents of Arizona who register their vehicle for 2 or 5 years will be responsible for paying the total tax amount for each year they are registering.

Registering a Motorcycle in Arizona

All Arizona residents are required to register their motorcycles with the Arizona MVD.

New Residents of Arizona

Before Arizona residents can submit their registration application, they need to make sure they have an active Arizona motorcycle insurance policy.

Residents of Arizona need to visit their local MVD office and provide:

  • Current motorcycle information, such as:
    • The motorcycle’s out-of-state license plates
    • Current registration and title
    • If new residents are not able to provide both documents, an MVD agent will need to perform a Level 1 inspection to verify the motorcycle’s vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • Arizona residents who are leasing a motorcycle need to provide a Power of Attorney as well as an original lien clearance from the lender, which includes:
    • The motorcycle’s VIN, make, model, and year
    • The original amount of the loan
    • Lease contract dates
    • Lender’s contact information (address and name)
    • A completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
    • Proof of an active AZ motorcycle insurance policy
    • Payment for the motorcycle registration fee of $9 and any other applicable taxes and fees

New Arizona residents who do not have the required documentation to transfer their out-of-state motorcycle registration immediately can apply for a temporary AZ registration. This state registration is valid for 90 days and the cost for this temporary registration is $15.

Registering a Motorcycle in Arizona

Once an Arizona resident purchases a motorcycle, they have 15 days from the purchase date to transfer the bike in their name. The steps that are taken to register the motorcycle will differ depending on whether they purchased the motorcycle from an individual seller or a dealership.

Purchased Motorcycles from a Dealership

Most Arizona motorcycle dealerships submit the required registration documents to the Arizona MVD on the new owner’s behalf. In some situations, the individual will have to visit the AZ MVD to register the motorcycle themselves.

Individuals may also receive a temporary motorcycle registration while they wait for the official registration documents to arrive in the mail. It is the individual’s responsibility to confirm whether or not the motorcycle dealership will file the registration and if additional steps are required to complete the motorcycle registration process.

Purchased Motorcycles from a Private Seller

Arizona residents who purchase their motorcycle from a private seller need to have an active Arizona motorcycle insurance policy. Once the purchase is finalized, AZ residents need to register it with their local MVD branch by providing:

  • A completed Title and Registration Application (Form 96-0236)
  • The notarized title of the motorcycle that is signed by the buyer and the seller
  • Proof of an active Arizona motorcycle insurance policy
  • The motorcycle’s lien release (if applicable)
  • The registration fee of $9 and any other applicable fees and taxes

In most situations, the titling and registration process can be completed in the same transaction.

Motorcycle Registration Taxes and Fees in Arizona

When Arizona residents are ready to register and title their motorcycle, they need to be ready to pay the necessary fees as follows:

  • Title fee: $4
  • Motorcycle registration fee: $9
  • Air quality research fee (applied to every registration): $1.50
  • Vehicle license tax (VLT) is assessed per $100 of the motorcycle’s value:
    • New motorcycles: $2.80
    • Used motorcycles: $2.89
  • Initial late registration fee/penalty: $8
    • Additional fee for each one month the registration remains overdue: $4
  • Temporary 90-day registration: $15

Registering a Boat in the State of Arizona

Before Arizona residents can enjoy their boat on the Arizona waters, they may be required to register their water vessel with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).

Arizona Boats That Require Registration

In the state of Arizona, residents of this state are required to register:

  • Gas-powered boats
  • Any vessel that is powered by an electric motor, regardless of its size or type

AZ residents who are unsure if their boat requires registration, they can contact the AZGFD at (602) 942-3000.

Boats That Are Exempt from Boat Registration in Arizona

The following vessels are not required to be registered in the state of Arizona:

  • Motorized lifeboats that are used specifically for rescue operations
  • Boats that do not have motors
  • U.S. Coast Guard vessels
  • Boats operating in the state of Arizona for less than 90 days
    • Boaters who are visiting the state of Arizona are required to have current boat registration that follow the numbering system of their home state or the U.S. Coast Guard

The process for registering and titling a boat is determine in the way to boat was purchased, such as from a dealer or a private seller. Once a boat registration is obtained, Arizona residents need to keep their certificate of number on their boat whenever the boat is in the water.

AZ residents also need to make sure they paint or attach their AZ number on the front of the vessel on both sides, as well as the renewal decal.

The Boat Registration Requirements in Arizona

Residents of Arizona who are interested in registering a new boat need to visit their local AZGFD branch with the following documents:

  • A completed Application for Arizona Watercraft Certificate of Number (Form 1532)
  • The Bill of Sale that includes:
    • Both the buyer and seller’s name
    • The vessel’s length
    • Hull identification number
    • The boat’s manufacturer
    • Purchase price
    • Sales tax paid
  • Manufacturer’s statement of origin
  • Payment for all applicable registration fees

Used Boat Registration in Arizona

Residents of Arizona who wish to register a recently purchased used boat need to present the following documents to their local AZGFD branch:

  • A completed Application for Arizona Watercraft Certificate of Number (Form 1532)
  • Bill of Sale containing the following information:
    • Buyer and seller’s name
    • Length of the vessel
    • Hull identification number
    • Boat’s manufacturer
    • Purchase price
    • Sales tax paid
  • Current registration with the previous owner’s signature
  • Payment for all applicable registration fees

Arizona Boat Registration Fees

Arizona boat registration fees depend on the length of the boat and an individual’s residential status. The registration fees for AZ residents with the Arizona Game and Fish Department are as follows:

  • Arizona residents:
    • 12 ft or less: $20
    • 12 ft 1 in to 16 ft: $22
    • 16 ft 1 in to 20 ft: $30
    • 20 ft 1 in to 26 ft: $35
    • 26 ft 1 in to 39 ft: $39
    • 39 ft 1 in to 64 ft: $44
    • 64 ft 1 in and over: $66
  • Non-residents of Arizona:
    • 12 ft: $100
    • 12 ft 1 in to 16 ft: $110
    • 16 ft 1 in to 20 ft: $222
    • 20 ft 1 in to 26 ft: $259
    • 26 ft 1 in to 39 ft: $292
    • 39 ft 1 in to 64 ft $330
    • 64 ft 1 in and over $495
  • Transfer fee: $13
  • Duplicate decal: $8
  • Duplicate certificate of number: $8
  • Registration renewal late fee: $5

For information regarding renewals and replacements, check here.

Accepted Forms of Payment

The state of Arizona accepts the following forms of payment:

  • Checks
  • Money order
  • Cash

Some Arizona Motor Vehicle Departments (MVD) and Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) accept credit cards. Call ahead of time to make sure.

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