The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not require a new registration when you sell your car. But, the buyer will need one in order to drive it legally. You can renew your registration in advance and then transfer it over to the new owner before completing the ownership. This way, you don’t have to worry about going out of pocket with buying a brand new one! If you have selling or buying a race car, do not use the license plate of the buyer’s car on the title. This is illegal. Instead, apply for a corrected registration certificate through the DMV after applying for a duplicate driver’s license or instruction permit.
Fill up an Application
This is the first step in the process. You will need to fill up an application form which you can find on the DMV website. This form lets you update your personal information, change your address, and renew your registration all in one place.
Go to the DMV
Once you have filled up the application, take it into the DMV with some ID, payment for any applicable fees, and your renewal notice if it’s expired or soon will be (if not expired). Present these documents in person at a local DMV location. Bring someone else with you if possible. The whole process will go much more smoothly!
Take Time off Work or Make Plans Ahead of Time
The DMV hours are typically 9 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday. If you are renewing your license in advance, they will most likely ask for an appointment. Don’t forget to take time off of work or make plans ahead of time!
Bring Any Necessary Documents with You
The DMV website has a list of all the required documents that need to be brought with you. This list includes things like proof of identity or any outstanding tickets. If you don’t have the document they asked for, they could not allow you to renew your license early.
Update Your Registration
Once your new license is printed out, take it straight to the DMV with some form of payment (maybe a credit card or cash). Then, update your registration, and you’re all set!
Don’t Forget to Transfer Your Registration!
Check with the DMV if you need to transfer your registration before selling your car, it’s likely that you won’t have to, but it never hurts to double-check. Then, give the new owner of your vehicle your license plate number, and they will be able to complete the process of transferring the registration.
Enjoy your new License!
Now, you can enjoy your newly renewed driver’s license without the stress of having to do it all over again for another two years (or however long your state requires). You can plan on renewing in advance next time, too; this makes planning around updating your license much easier because you don’t need to worry about missing the deadline.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve covered the steps to renewing a driver’s license. We’ve also covered why renewing a driver’s license is the way to go instead of buying a new one and how you can do it yourself without having to go into any DMV. If you follow our steps, you can easily renew your license without having to wait for it to expire.