How To Register a Car in Tennessee

Who Needs Vehicle Registration in Tennessee

Registration with the Tennessee Department of Revenue is mandatory for all vehicles operated on Tennessee's public roads, highways, and streets. Tennessee's comprehensive motor vehicle regulations are established under Tennessee Code Title 55 - Motor and Other Vehicles, which governs all aspects of vehicle registration, licensing, and highway operation throughout the state.

New residents must register their vehicles within 30 days of establishing Tennessee residency. Residency is established when an individual obtains Tennessee employment, registers to vote, enrolls children in Tennessee schools, or declares Tennessee as their primary residence for any legal purpose.

Military personnel on active duty retain their home state registration privileges while stationed in Tennessee. However, military members who establish Tennessee as their legal residence must register their vehicles according to standard residency requirements within 30 days. Students attending Tennessee institutions may retain out-of-state registration if they maintain legal domicile in their home state and do not establish Tennessee residency.

Temporary visitors and tourists may operate properly registered out-of-state vehicles in Tennessee without additional registration requirements. Businesses and fleet operators must register all vehicles based or primarily operated in Tennessee, regardless of the company's state of incorporation.

Interstate commercial carriers operating vehicles over 26,000 pounds may participate in the International Registration Plan (IRP) for proportional registration across multiple states, administered through Tennessee's county clerk offices.

What Types of Vehicles Need Registration in Tennessee

Tennessee requires registration for the following vehicle categories:

• Passenger vehicles including cars, SUVs, minivans, and pickup trucks used for personal transportation
• Motorcycles and motor scooters over 50cc engine displacement
• Commercial vehicles including delivery trucks and freight transportation vehicles
• Heavy trucks and tractors used for commercial hauling operations
• Buses for passenger transportation including school buses and transit vehicles
• Recreational vehicles including motorhomes, travel trailers, and campers
• Trailers over 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight including utility and boat trailers
• Antique vehicles 30 years or older operated on public highways
• Class I off-highway vehicles meeting highway equipment standards for limited road use
• Class II off-highway vehicles meeting enhanced equipment standards for expanded road access

Which Vehicles Are Exempt From Registration in Tennessee

The following vehicles are exempt from Tennessee registration requirements:

• Agricultural implements used exclusively for farming operations including tractors and combines
• Farm trailers used solely for agricultural purposes on or between farm properties
• Government vehicles owned and operated by federal, state, county, and municipal agencies
• Military tactical vehicles used exclusively for official government military purposes
• Construction equipment and road machinery temporarily operating on highways for construction projects
• Golf carts operated exclusively on golf courses and private resort properties
• Vehicles operated exclusively on private property with no access to public roads
• Implements of husbandry designed primarily for agricultural operations and only incidentally moved on highways

Off-highway vehicles not meeting highway equipment standards are exempt from registration but may qualify for Class I or Class II registration to allow limited road access when specifications are met.

What Do You Need To Register a Car in Tennessee

Tennessee vehicle registration requires specific documentation and compliance with state requirements:

Required documents include:

When registering a new vehicle, you must provide the following documents to your local county clerk:

• The Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)
• The original invoice for the new vehicle
• A copy of your current registration, if you plan to transfer an existing license plate

For a used vehicle registration, submit these items to your county clerk:

• A valid certificate of title that has been properly assigned, along with an Odometer Disclosure Statement if required
• A copy of the current registration when transferring your license plate

VIN inspection is required for out-of-state vehicles and must be completed by authorized Tennessee law enforcement personnel or county clerk staff.

Registration fees and taxes include:

• Registration fee: $29 for passenger vehicles annually
• Title fee: $14 for new title certificates
• County wheel tax: Varies by county, typically $55-$75 annually
• Sales tax: 7% of vehicle purchase price plus local taxes if not previously paid
• Late penalty: $5 for renewals processed after expiration date

Insurance requirements mandate minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Tennessee requires continuous insurance coverage verified through electronic systems.

Timing requirements include completing registration within 30 days of establishing residency or purchasing a vehicle. Penalties for operating unregistered vehicles include fines and potential vehicle impoundment.

Where to Register Your Vehicle in Tennessee

Tennessee operates a county-based registration system through county clerk offices located in each of the state's 95 counties. Vehicle registration is processed exclusively through county clerk offices rather than state DMV facilities.

Davidson County Clerk Office
700 President Ronald Reagan Way, Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37210
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:20 PM
(615) 862-6790
Davidson County Clerk

Shelby County Clerk Office
150 Washington Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(901) 222-3000
Shelby County Clerk

Knox County Clerk Office
300 W Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(865) 215-2385
Knox County Clerk

Hamilton County Clerk Office
625 Georgia Avenue, Room 102, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(423) 209-6500
Hamilton County Clerk

Williamson County Clerk Office
1320 West Main Street, Suite 119, Franklin, TN 37064
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(615) 790-5712
Williamson County Clerk

A complete directory is available at the Tennessee county clerks locations page.

Tennessee does not utilize authorized third-party agents for vehicle registration services. All registration transactions must be completed through county clerk offices or their designated branch locations within each county.

Can I Register a Vehicle Online in Tennessee?

Tennessee provides comprehensive online registration services through the Tennessee County Clerk online portal. Available online transactions include:

• Registration renewals for passenger vehicles with current insurance and no violations
• Address changes for existing vehicle registrations through county clerk offices
• Duplicate registration certificates for lost or damaged registration documents
• Registration status verification and fee calculation services
• Personalized license plate applications for specialty and vanity plates

Initial vehicle registration requires in-person processing at county clerk offices. Title transfers, out-of-state vehicle registrations, and ownership changes cannot be completed online and require physical document verification and notarization.

Online renewal eligibility includes vehicles with current Tennessee insurance coverage, no outstanding violations or administrative holds, and accurate address information on file. Leased vehicles and commercial vehicles may have additional restrictions for online processing.

Registration renewal processing through county-specific online systems requires current registration information, insurance verification, valid credit card or electronic check payment, and access to a printer for confirmation receipts. New registration stickers are mailed within 7-10 business days of online renewal completion.

Online transactions accept credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks with applicable processing fees varying by county. Most transactions process immediately with confirmation receipts available for download.

When Does Vehicle Registration Expire in Tennessee

Tennessee vehicle registration expires annually based on a staggered system designed to distribute renewal periods evenly throughout the year. Registration terms provide 12 months of validity from the issue date.

Registration expiration occurs on the last day of the month printed on the registration decal affixed to the registration certificate. Staggered registration is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance, with the expiration being the last day of the month of the registration year.

Registration decals display the expiration month and year and are affixed to the registration certificate rather than the license plate. Registration certificates show the exact expiration date and must be carried in the vehicle during operation along with current insurance documentation.

Validity requirements include maintaining continuous Tennessee auto insurance coverage meeting minimum requirements, accurate owner address information on file with the county clerk, and timely renewal to avoid penalties.

Consequences of expired registration include traffic citations with fines, potential vehicle impoundment, and $5 late renewal penalties for registrations processed after expiration. Law enforcement officers can immediately cite vehicles with expired registrations during traffic stops.

Commercial vehicles and IRP registrations follow different expiration schedules. IRP vehicles expire on December 31st annually regardless of initial registration date, while standard commercial vehicles follow the staggered system. Antique vehicles maintain the standard annual renewal requirement but qualify for reduced fees and may have modified usage restrictions.

Renewal notices are mailed approximately six weeks in advance of expiration to assist vehicle owners in timely renewal processing.