Registering a Vehicle in Virginia

Virginia requires every motor vehicle, trailer, and semi-trailer kept in the Commonwealth to be titled and registered. New residents have 30 days from establishing residency to register; in-state buyers have 30 days from the date of sale. Registration produces a Virginia title, a license plate, a registration card, and a windshield safety inspection sticker once the inspection is performed.

What you'll bring to the DMV

Most Virginia titling and registration is handled at a DMV customer service center or a DMV Select partner office. Bring:

• The current title, properly assigned to the buyer with odometer disclosure on the back.
• Bill of sale or buyer's order showing the purchase price.
• Proof of address (lease, utility bill, or other accepted document).
• Proof of Virginia liability insurance meeting at least 50/100/25 limits.
• A completed VSA 17A (Application for Certificate of Title and Registration) for new titling work, or VSA 14 (Application for Vehicle Registration) for registration only.
• Photo ID for the registrant.

Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax (SUT)

Virginia charges a Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax of 4.15% on the sale price or fair market value, whichever is higher, with a $75 minimum tax. The 4.15% rate applies statewide and does not vary by city or county — it's separate from the general retail sales tax. Trade-in allowances at a Virginia franchised dealer reduce the taxable amount; private-party sales do not get the trade-in credit. New residents pay 4.15% SUT on the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) clean trade-in value of the vehicle they bring with them, with credit for sales tax already paid in another state.

Title and registration fees

Virginia base fees for a passenger vehicle:

• Title fee: $15.
• Annual registration: $30.75 for vehicles 4,000 lbs or less, $35.75 for 4,001+ lbs.
• Vehicle Highway Use Fee: variable, based on EPA fuel-economy rating; electric vehicles pay a flat $116.49 (FY 2025).
• Personalized plate, specialty plate, or trailer additional fees as selected.

Virginia issues registration in 1-year or 2-year cycles at the registrant's choice. Two-year registrations cost twice the annual fee in a single transaction.

Safety inspection

Every Virginia-registered vehicle must pass an annual safety inspection at a state-licensed inspection station before it can be operated on Virginia roads. The inspection covers brakes, steering, suspension, tires, lighting, signals, mirrors, glazing, exhaust, and fuel system. The fee is capped at $20 for passenger vehicles and is paid directly to the inspection station, not the DMV. The sticker placed in the lower driver's-side windshield shows the expiration month.

Emissions inspection in Northern Virginia

Drivers in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties, plus the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park, must also pass a biennial emissions inspection at an Air Check station. Vehicles less than 4 model years old, all-electric, and motorcycles are exempt. The emissions certificate is electronically transmitted to the Virginia DMV; without it the registration cannot renew.

Personal Property Tax

Most Virginia cities and counties levy an annual personal property tax on motor vehicles separate from registration. The tax is billed by the locality, not the DMV, but unpaid bills can produce a registration hold that blocks renewal at the DMV. The Personal Property Tax Relief Act subsidizes the first $20,000 of value for qualifying vehicles. Rates vary substantially across the state — check with your county or city treasurer for the local rate.

New residents: the 30-day clock

Virginia treats vehicles brought into the state as out-of-state until they are titled and registered locally. The deadline is 30 days from establishing residency or, for college students, 30 days from beginning local employment in the state. Driving on out-of-state plates beyond the 30-day window is a moving violation. Once registered, see the Virginia registration renewal guide for the renewal cycle.