Frequently Asked Questions

Are there times I won’t be allowed to renew registration?
There may be times when you are not allowed to renew your North Dakota car registration. In some cases you will not be able to renew car registration online, such as when:
  • Registering a new vehicle.
  • Making changes to vehicle license.

If any of the above circumstance applies to you, then you will not be able to renew car registration online. Contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division at 701-328-2725 if you cannot renew your registration online.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

Can somebody else renew my registration for me?
Yes, it is possible for someone else to renew your North Dakota vehicle registration for you, if applying online or by mail.

Someone that you designate can apply for you if they have your vehicle title number. If they do not have the title number then they must have other identifying formation on your vehicle in order to calculate costs for your registration renewal.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

Do boats need to be registered?
Yes, boats need to be registered in the state of North Dakota. Boats registrations are handled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. To register a boat, you must fill out the Boat License Application. You may use the application to:
  • Register a used watercraft purchased from an individual.
  • Transfer an out-of-state registration to North Dakota.
  • Register new or used watercraft from North Dakota dealer.
  • Register watercraft purchased from out-of-state dealer.

Boat registration fees are assessed based on the length of the watercraft.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

Do I need to file a police report if my registration was lost or stolen?
The ND DMV does not require for you to file a police report for a lost or stolen car registration, however, it is highly suggested that you do so. Filing a police report may help protect from any fraudulent use of your car registration information. You should also report your stolen or lost car registration to the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division at 701-328-2725.
Do I need to return my license plate if I move out of the state?
The state of North Dakota does not require that you return your license plates once you leave the state. You will have to get new license plates when you register your vehicle in your new state. If you are not sure of what to do with your old license plates, consider the following suggestions:
  • Recycle
  • Use for home décor
  • Keep as a collector s item

For more information on what to do with you old North Dakota license plates, contact the North Dakota Motor Vehicle Division at 701-328-2725.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

Do I need to turn in my damaged registration?
The North Dakota DMV does not require you to turn in your damaged car registration to replace vehicle registration. Drivers are suggested to hold on to their damaged or mutilated vehicle registration until receiving a replacement registration.

In the event that you are pulled over by law officials, you will need to show proof of your car registration.For more information the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division at 701-328-2725.

For more information: Registration Replacement in North Dakota

Does a motorized scooter need to be registered?
Yes, a motorized scooter or moped must be registered in the state of North Dakota. To register your moped you must provide:
  • Payment for the $25 license fee
  • Payment for the certificate title fee of $5
  • Motor vehicle tax of 5 percent
  • Odometer certification

All mopeds are also required to carry at least liability insurance.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

Does my vehicle qualify for a smog inspection?
The state of North Dakota does not participate in smog inspections, also known as vehicle emissions testing. Some states require vehicles to be tested for vehicle emissions in order to apply for a car registration or to renew car registration. North Dakota does not employ such requirements on their residents. Only certain farm vehicles and all commercial vehicles are required to undergo any sort of inspections in the state of North Dakota.

For more information: Vehicle Emissions Testing in North Dakota

How can I renew my vehicle registration?
The North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division makes it easy and convenient for you to renew vehicle registration online via their Motor Vehicle Online System. To renew online, you will only need:
  • A registration card or registration renewal invoice.
  • To provide credit or debit card information.

You must renew car registration every year in the state of North Dakota.

For more information:How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

How can I transfer my registration to another state?
To transfer your vehicle to another state from North Dakota, you must check with the specific guidelines of whatever state to which you are moving. Requirements to register a car out of statevary from state to state.

Usually, you will need to provide information such as the title or lienholder information and pay for license plate, title transfer, and registration fees. For more information on specific requirements, check with the local DMV in your new state.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

How do I apply for a disabled person parking placard or plates?
To apply for handicap placard in the state of North Dakota, you must have one or more of the following conditions certified by a physician:
  • Use of portable oxygen
  • Has a condition that does not allow the person to travel more than 200 fee without rest
  • Classified by standards III and IV of cardiac disease by the American Heart Association

Visit a ND Motor Vehicle location to fill out an application for a mobility impaired parking placard. Permanent placards are available at no cost.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

How do I file a police report if my car registration was stolen?
If your car registration was stolen, you may file a police report with local law enforcement agency in North Dakota. To file a police report, you must visit a local police station and ask to file a report on a stolen vehicle registration.

Be prepared to provide your license plate number or any information that can help the police track down your stolen vehicle registration. Also, have your driver s license with you to show proof of your identity and ownership of the vehicle in question.

For more information: Lost or Stolen License Plates

How do I obtain a duplicate car registration?
To obtain a North Dakota duplicate car registration, you must fill out an Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle. You can apply for a duplicate of the following documents:
  • Replacement plates
  • Replacement decals
  • Replacement registration card

On the required application, you must state the reason for North Dakota car registration replacement.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

How do I obtain car registration?
To geta new car registration for your vehicle, you will need to provide the following at your local North Dakota Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle office:

License fees vary depending on the year the vehicle was first registered as well as vehicle weight.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

If I do not renew on time, will there be an additional fee?
If you do not renew car registration on time, there may be an additional late registration fee added to your total amount due. To find out more information about vehicle registration late fees contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division at 701-328-2725. They can provide more specific information on additional fees for late registration as it pertains to you. To avoid late fees, you can easily apply for car registration renewal through the ND DOTs online system.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

Is there a different process I must follow if I lost personalized plates?
If you have lost personalized plates and wish to replace them, then you may follow the same process as replacing standard license plates. To apply for a duplicate of lost personalized plates, you must fill out an Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle. There is a $5 fee for duplicate plates. Fees are subject to change.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

Should I carry the registration on me or in the car?
Yes, you must carry your car registration card in the car with you in the state of North Dakota. There is a fee of $20 for not having your car registration when asked by a law enforcement official. However, if you submit your registration card within 48 hours of being cited for not having one, then your citation can be overturned. Fees are subject to change.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

What are the most common reasons why I would need to replace my registration?
Some of the most common reasons why you would need to replace car registration card, plates, or decals include:
  • Lost
  • Stolen
  • Damaged or mutilated

You may acquire a car registration replacement by filling out an application and paying the required fees.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

What are the required fees for my vehicle registration?
The required fees for a North Dakota passenger vehicle registration include:
  • Vehicle excise tax fee: 5 percent
  • Certificate of title fee: $5
  • License fee: Based upon first year vehicle was registered and weight of vehicle, plus the Unsatisfied Judgement Fund fee of $1.

Also, an abandoned motor vehicle disposal fee $1.50 applies to initial application for certificate of title. Fees are subject to change.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

What are the required fees to get replacement registration?
The required fees to get a North Dakota car registration replacement are as follows:
  • Replacement plates: $5
  • Replacement decals: $3
  • Replacement registration card: $2

You must also fill out an Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle stating the reason that you are applying for a duplicate car registration. Fees are subject to change.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

What are the required fees to renew my registration?
The fees associated with renewing car registration in North Dakota can be calculated using their online calculation tool. In order to use the system you will need to have your vehicle title number at hand.Car registration renewal fees are based on:
  • Year the vehicle was first registered
  • Vehicle gross weight

Once you ve calculated your renewal fees online, a PDF will be available for you to print out and send in with your application. Fees are subject to change.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

What documents do I need to present to get a replacement car registration?
To get a North Dakota car registration replacement, you will need to fill out an Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle. On the application for replacement registration, you must state the reason why you are requesting a replacement registration. You may only request a replacement registration if yours has been lost, stolen, damaged, or mutilated.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

What documents do I need to present to get new registration?
The documents needed to get a new North Dakota car registration include:

Along with these documents, you are responsible for fees such as motor vehicle excise tax of 5 percent, the certificate of title fee, and license fees.

For more information: How to Register a Vehicle in North Dakota

What documents do I need to present to renew my car registration?
To renew car registration online, you may need one of the following documents for reference:
  • Current registration card
  • Registration renewal invoice

If you are using your registration renewal invoice, then you will need to provide the invoice number on the document. From the registration card, you must provide your title and plate number to get access on the online renewal system.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

What should I do if I have not received my registration tags or stickers?
If you have not yet received your North Dakota car registration decals then you should contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division at 701-328-2725. After you have applied for a car registration renewal either online or by mail, then you should allow up to five weeks for your new decals to arrive in the mail.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

When does my car registration expire?
In North Dakota, when you need to renew expired car registrationis based on one of two factors:
  • Date of sale
  • Date first used on North Dakota highway

Your registration expires on the first day of the month of expiration. For example, if your car registration expires in the month of October, then you will have to renew by the first of October.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

Where can I find a local tax county collector office?
To find out more information on the taxes you will be responsible for paying when you register your vehicle, you may contact your local tax county collectors’ office. In North Dakota, the vehicle excise tax rate is 5 percent of the purchase price. Car license and registration fees are paid to the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division. The North Dakota Office of the State Tax Commissioner, Sales and Use Tax office may be reached at 701-328-1246.
Will I need to fill out an application to replace my car registration?
Yes, you will need to fill out an application to replace a car registration. To apply for a North Dakota car registration replacement, you must complete an Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle. On the application, you must certify the reason that you are requesting a duplicate car registration. There is also a replacement fee ranging from $2 to $5, that you must pay in order to receive your car registration replacement. Fees are subject to change.

For more information: How to Replace a Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

Will I receive a renewal registration notice in the mail?
Yes, you will receive a car registration renewal notice in the mail. The North Dakota MVD sends out a vehicle renewal invoice that shows when you need to renew and the amount owed. Only one notice will be sent out concerning your car registration renewal. The invoice contains a detailed breakdown of the fees associated with renewing car registration.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota

Will my registration expire on my birthday or birth month?
No, your car registration expiration date will not necessarily fall on the day or the month of your birth. The state of North Dakota follows a system of staggering car and other vehicle registrations. Your car registration renewal date depends on date the car was sold or the date the date in which it was originally registered. Also, your car registration expires on the first day of the month of expiration.

For more information: How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in North Dakota