TennesseeCAR REGISTRATION

Easy Guide

5th Edition

Licensed by: Car-Registration.org

Bonus Features

24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance BenefitsCustomers are covered for emergency road service throughout the U.S. and Canada.

24-Hour Towing ServiceCustomers are entitled to emergency towing service at no out-of-pocket cost for any tow up to 75 dollars. One service per 7 days, 2 services per contract. Extended distance will be an additional expense covered by the customer.

24-Hour Mechanical First AidCustomers are entitled to any service requiring minor adjustments (exclusive of parts) to enable a disabled vehicle to proceed under its own power, where available.

24-Hour Tire Change ServiceCustomers may have their at tire changed with their inflated and functional spare tire.

24-Hour Emergency DeliveryA service truck will deliver emergency supplies of gasoline, water, oil, or other necessary supplies. Customers pay only for the cost of the supplies.

24-Hour Emergency Battery ServiceCustomers are covered for battery boosts and minor adjustments to alternators, starters, etc. while on the road.

24-Hour Lost Key ServiceIf keys are locked inside a customer’s vehicle, the customer will be assisted in gaining entry to the vehicle’s passenger compartment only. Locksmith services may be dispatched as needed at the customer’s expense for labor and key making.

Rental Car DiscountsCustomers are entitled to take advantage of our rental car discount codes and pre-negotiated group rates which are honored at thousands of locations throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Map Routing ServiceWe will, at no charge, provide customers with a 4-color mapping and travel route information to destinations they specify.

Theft And Hit & Run ProtectionA $500 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Hit & Run damages or stealing customers’ vehicles.

Whenever you travel, you’ll like the secure and confident feeling of knowing that you are protected by NSD’s Roadside Assistance.

Fast response and excellent service are just two reasons why millions of motorists rely on NSD’s Roadside Assistance for on-the-road protection.

Follow the link in your confirmation email to start redeeming your $25 Gas Coupon.

*PLEASE SAVE ALL THE INFORMATION FOR YOUR RECORDS. You will use your log in information throughout the course of your complimentary gas membership

CONGRATULATIONS!Redeem Your $25 Gas Card Online

Keeping You Safe Mile After MileOnce your purchase is processed, you’ll receive an email with the information you’ll need to

start your 60 days Road Assistance

When out on the road, you‘ll know that you are covered and protected by an organization that cares about the safety of you and your family. Our customer service representatives respond quickly to provide you the best service and protection available

anywhere.

Congratulations on your 60 day membership to our Roadside Assistance.

EXCLUSIVE ORDERSTake advantage of these increible offers available exclusively to Car-Registration.org

customers. Simply click on any of the logos below to get started.

Take 30% off orders over $50 withcode TRT30 at AdvanceAutoParts.com!

Get up to 4 Loan Offers in minutes! MyAutoLoan.com is a leading online automotive finance marketplace where consumers with fair, good and great credit get Real Loans from Real Lenders, Real Time.

Find the Best Deal on a new car onCars.com

5% off Any Order + Free ShippingAvailable - Coupon Code SPRING5. Welcome to the easiest way to buy tires and wheels.

20% off first ride for new customers with code:Lyftaff49255

We know shopping for insurance isn’t always the most pleasant experience. We’re here to help. It’s quick, easy and hassle free! Save up to $300 by calling QuotesHub: 844-367-3636.

Call 844-367-3636 Now!

Save up to 50%on insurance

Table of contents

Car-Registration.org is a privately owned website that is not owned or operated by any government agency.

Vehicle Registration

5Car-Registration.org

Getting a vehicle is always an exciting adventure. It doesn’t matter if it is your first car or if you have already purchased many vehicles in the past, making the decision to obtain a car is a big step and it must be taken carefully to avoid any inconveniences.

Whenever you purchase a car, whether it is new or used, it must be registered to be legally driven in your state of residence. Also, when you change your residential address to another state, you will have to follow the procedure to transfer your registration.

The entire process looks very complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Our Easy Guide will provide you step-by-step information on how you can register your vehicle. Learn how you can also transfer your out-of-state registration and renew proper credentials at the appropriate time. Additionally, we will make sure you have all the necessary documents and forms on your person, so you do not experience any delay to your car registration process. Sit back and relax while we guide you towards getting your vehicle registration in no time.

Registration Insurance Requirements

6Car-Registration.org

When you go to register your vehicle, you will be required to obtain insurance before you are allowed to continue with the process at the TN Department of Revenue. This is a necessary requirement in order to help reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the road which can often result in high costs if you are involved in any vehicle accident. If you are looking forward to applying for your vehicle registration, it will be mandatory that you obtain liability insurance for your automobile before you can register and legally drive your car without any penalties. Liability insurance is designed to help you pay for any and all damages or injuries you caused to someone due to a car accident. The coverage plan must be acquired in Tennessee from a licensed insurance company.

In Tennessee, you must comply with at least the following liability coverage minimums:

• For bodily injures of one or more persons - $50, 000.

• For bodily injures or death - $25, 000.

• For property damage - $15, 000.

It is important to always carry proof of insurance when driving, in case an officer or any other authority requests it.

TipYour vehicle registration may get suspended if you cannot prove your car is insured. Remember to carry these documents with you while driving.

7Car-Registration.org

Registering Your Vehicle In Tennessee

One of the most important parts of the vehicle registration process in Tennessee is taking a look at the requirements you will need to meet, as well as the steps you must follow depending on the type of car you own. Whether you are submitting a request for a new, used, out-of-state, military, or special type of vehicle, you should review the specific instructions to correctly register your car so you can make the process as easy and quick as possible. In order to do this, you can read the outlined steps below to better understand what exactly you must do in order to legally drive your vehicle in TN and begin driving as soon as possible!

REGISTER A NEW VEHICLE Usually, if you purchased a brand new car at a dealership, you do not have to worry about registering it since they take care of all the process; nevertheless, in case your dealership didn’t or if you bought it using a different method, you will have to register it yourself.

Once you get your new automobile, you are required to register it with the Tennessee Department of Revenue. You can check all of the offices you can visit according to your location.

When you find the clerk’s office you’ll be visiting to submit your request, please take these documents:

REGISTER A USED VEHICLEIf you purchased a used car from an individual or private party, you have to register it at the TN DOR clerk’s offices and carry the following documents:

Documents• Proof of identity such as your driver’s license or ID card.

• The dealership’s new vehicle invoice.

• Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.

• Proof of residency such as utility bills, mortgage agreement, etc.

• In case you are transferring plates, present the actual registration.

• Pay the required fees.

8Car-Registration.org

Documents• Proof of identity such as your driver’s license or ID card.

• Certificate of title which must be valid and completed by the seller.

• In case you are transferring plates, present the actual registration.

• Odometer disclosure form properly filled out.

• Proof of residency such as utility bills, mortgage agreement, etc.

• Pay the required fees.

REGISTER AN OUT-OF-STATE VEHICLEYou will need to go to the county clerk’s office and present:

• Proof of residency such as utility bills, mortgage agreement, etc.

• Proof of identity such as your driver’s license or ID card.

• Documents showing the emissions inspection approved (if required in the county).

• Current out-of-state registration.

• Pay the required fees.

REGISTRATION FOR MILITARY MEMBERS Registering a car in Tennessee will be a little different if you are a military member. If your car was already registered before you went to serve in the military, you can keep your registration as it is until you return. It is also required that you keep Tennessee insurance on your car.

There are three different situations for military members in or from Tennessee.

• Residents will have to follow the same procedure as a regular resident.

• Non-residents stationed in Tennessee are not asked to register their vehicles, but they must have a valid registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles at their hometown.

• Residents who are stationed out of Tennessee would have to register their vehicle by mail confirming with the clerk’s office what other documents you will need to include or download. It is recommended

9Car-Registration.org

TipIn case you have any questions, you can call 615-741-3101 and clear any doubts you may have.

to confirm whether you can submit your request using this or another method.

10Car-Registration.org

Renewing Your Vehicle Registration

Is it time to renew your vehicle registration? Much like with many things in life, such as your driver license and even food products, your vehicle registration will be at risk of expiring. This can be solved by simply making sure to renew your vehicle’s registration before the expiration date is allowed to pass by unattended. Therefore, allowing your vehicle registration to expire is not a well advised thing to do, as it will mean you are no longer able to legally drive with your vehicle. Having this happen limits your ability to travel as you please or even for emergency purposes.

You have two options to renew your car registration.

ONLINEThis option is the easiest one to use; however, not all the counties have the service available and you will be required to verify whether is possible or not to use this method.

If the county accepts this method and it is accessible, please do the following:

• Click here and select your county.

• If the service is obtainable in that area, follow the prompts to complete your renewal request.

• Check the fees to pay according to your county.

BY MAIL Once you receive your renewal notice, you can go ahead and submit your request before your car registration expires. The form you received to renew will have all the steps explaining what the procedure and the fees to pay are. You can check the available county clerk’s offices here.

TipYou may call the DOR clerk’s office and see if they can issue your car registration renewal in person.

11Car-Registration.org

Replacing Your Vehicle Registration

Has something happened to your vehicle registration? Well, it doesn’t matter if your vehicle registration was recently lost, stolen, or even damaged, the Tennessee Department of Revenue will help you in obtaining a new vehicle registration as soon as possible regardless of the situation. No matter what, you will be able to effortlessly replace it with a duplicate.

The process is very simple. Just send your own duplicate request to the closest county clerk’s office and don’t forget to write down or type in:

• The reason why you are requesting the vehicle registration duplicate.

• Complete VIN and license plate number.

Once you have those documents ready, get the clerk’s office mailing address, send them your vehicle registration duplicate request and enclose a $3 check or money order.

In case you need a certified document, the total amount to pay is $3.50.

12Car-Registration.org

Updating Your Vehicle Registration

Changing your name is not only the result of a big change in your life, but it will also greatly affect your documents and general information in regards to your identity. If you have officially changed your name, then you will surely be required to update it on all of your identification documents and cards, including your car registration. Doing this is very simple, but you need to contact the Social Security Administration first so the Tennessee Department of Revenue can verify the adjustment.

CHANGING YOUR NAMEContact your SSA agency and take with you proof of your identity, name change, and U.S citizenship. Check a complete list of accepted documents here. Make sure you are carrying only original documents since the SSA will not receive any copies of your documentation. Download and fill out an Application for a Social Security Card and take it with you when you go request your name change.

The application should be submitted by mail or personally at the SSA office and the total amount of days for you to receive your Social Security card is 10 business days. When you get your new SS card, you can contact the TN DOR office, and take with you proof of identity, name change, and U.S citizenship plus the vehicle certification. The fee to change your name may vary from $8 to $16 which you can pay using credit/debit cards, check or money orders.

TipTake original or certified documents to avoid possible registration issues.

CHANGING YOUR ADDRESSIn the case that you may have recently moved to a new address, it is essential that you update the address on your car registration as well. All you must do is stick to the process and once you have completed every step properly, your car registration will be updated.

You can contact the Tennessee DOR agency in your area and report your change. They will inform you whether it is possible to change your address by phone or personally depending on the county.

It is important to report the address change for all the vehicles you have registered with the DOR.

13Car-Registration.org

License Plates

When you register your vehicle, the TN DOR assigns a license plate number to you. Whenever you renew your registration, your license plates are also renewed. The DOR will give you a decal that you must attach to the license plate. The decal has the expiration date of your registration and must be up to date at all times.

Besides the regular Tennessee license plates, there are also specialty plates which are made around a specific theme or cause, such as professional associations, sports, universities and environmental themes. They may be purchased at an additional cost which helps fund the particular cause.

Although you are requesting an address change, you will not receive an updated document. If you wish your address to be visible on your vehicle registration, you will have to apply for a replacement.

REPLACING YOUR LICENSE PLATESYour license plate is what identifies your vehicle to the authorities and is used to keep track of your driving behavior. This is why it must always be in good conditions and completely legible. If your license plate gets lost, stolen or defaced, you may request a new one at a TN DOR office. In case your plates were stolen, you need to report it to the local authorities for them to file the incident.

You will need to download and fill out the Application for Duplicate/Replacement License Plate form and mail it to:

44 Vantage Way, Suite 160

Nashville, TN 37243-8050

You can also look for the closest county clerk’s office and send your application to the nearest office. The form must be notarized so the DOR office can approve the replacement.

GETTING CUSTOM PLATES

Vanity plates are used for different vehicle types like commercial, motorcycle, livery, private passenger, antiques and camper vehicles. These original plate designs are available at a TN clerk’s office.

In Tennessee, you will find a wide variety of custom license plates that will adapt to everybody’s needs. Personalized plates contain a combination of up to seven letters

14Car-Registration.org

and numbers. So far, the TN DOR offers 7 different special plates. The available plates are:

• Sports

• Military/Memorial

• Emergency/Safety

• Disabled

• Collegiate

• Clubs/Organizations

These are the fees you are going to pay depending on the type of plates you choose:

• To personalize regular plates: $35.

• To personalize specialty, collegiate or cultural license plates: $ 70.

For any of them, you will have to complete the Application for Tennessee Personalized License Plate form, and send the money order or check payable to State of Tennessee to the following address:

Department of Revenue

Vehicle Services Division

44 Vantage Way, Suite 160

Nashville, TN 37243-8050

There is an extra $1 fee you will be charged to pick up your plates at the TN clerk’s office.

SURRENDERING TENNESSEE LICENSE PLATES

If you are going to live out of Tennessee, you are not required to surrender your license plates to the TN Department of Revenue since you can pay a small fee to transfer them to your new residency place. However, if you come from another state and are planning to establish your residency in Tennessee, you would have to check with your current state authorities if it is necessary to surrender your plates or not. There is no need to return the license plates unless you need to request other types, such as custom plates.

15Car-Registration.org

Vehicle Safety Tips

The most important thing before you begin driving any vehicle is that both you and the vehicle are well prepared for any trip you make. This means checking and making any changes to your vehicle or your behavior to make sure that you are able to drive safely at all times.

EMERGENCY KITOne of the essentials to safe driving is having a basic emergency kit available in your vehicle at all times. This kit should include basic items such as water, extra batteries, rope, First Aid kit, matches, a whistle, etc. During winter months it is also important to carry items such as blankets, non-perishable foods, extra gloves and socks, and a shovel.

WINTER DRIVINGOne of the most dangerous times to drive is during the winter, especially if you live in an area that snows. Therefore, it is best to consider these tips to drive safely during the winter.

• Don’t Rush! Roads are often covered in snow and ice after it snows, so instead

of driving fast and risking an accident in your rush to get to your destination try leaving a few minutes earlier than usual. This will allow you to drive slower and help to avoid rushing other drivers by not tailgating them if they are going slower.

• Don’t Panic If You Skid or Slip In the case that your vehicle does ski or slip while driving make sure

you do not panic and slam down on your brakes. Instead all you need to do is apply slow and even pressure on your brakes until you stop. This will prevent you from spinning further out of control.

• Check Your Vehicle Before you even leave your house make sure your vehicle’s controls,

brakes, tank, tires, antifreeze, exhaust, etc. are all working properly. It is also important that you remove all ice and snow from your car before you begin driving; this prevents the snow from blocking your view while you drive.

16Car-Registration.org

DRINKING AND DRIVINGEvery year thousands are killed as a result of drinking and driving. This is something that is very easily prevented; it only requires that you plan ahead of time by taking these steps.

Even before you begin drinking you should arrange for someone else to be the designated driver. In the case that they also become intoxicated, it is important that you arrange to take a taxi. Never allow someone drunk to drive, instead take away their keys and call for alternative transportation.

If you see someone who you suspect is drunk, and they exhibit signs of intoxication while driving such as making wide turns, weaving, swerving, braking erratically, turning abruptly, etc. call 911 and contact authorities immediately. Also make sure to avoid them on the road to ensure your own safety.

USING YOUR PHONEDriving while using your cellphone is one of the most dangerous things you can do because during those few seconds your attention is diverted to your phone, a major accident could occur. So, make sure you don’t text, use of the Internet on your phone, or receive calls while you drive to prevent accidents as best as possible.

THINGS TO AVOIDDriving isn’t always a relaxing experience. There are certain actions that can be both an annoyance and dangerous to you while on the road driving. These things are often avoidable if you make sure to take the necessary steps towards preventing them, as well as stopping them after you discover them to be occurring.

Car Accidents The best way to avoid car accidents is to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive and will not cause you any problems. To do this you only need to regularly check that your brakes are functioning properly, your tires are inflated and not worn out, and that the steering and suspensions are checked by a mechanic and will not fail while you drive, especially at high speeds.

Wasting Gas As the price of gas goes up you may begin to start looking for ways to save on those expensive trips to the pump. Well, saving on gas is something that is possible if you take a few steps towards ensuring that you waste less gas.

17Car-Registration.org

Some of the ways you can start saving gas are: not using air conditioning, not leaving your engine running, or speeding above 60 mph. These things are preventable and not necessary for you to drive, therefore you can quickly reduce the amount of gas you waste.

Another way to save on gas is to make sure that your vehicle is functioning properly, you can do this by checking that your tires are properly inflated, your engine is well tuned, and check that your octane level is the correct amount to your vehicle’s needs.

Aggressive DrivingAggressive driving and drivers are both things that should be avoided to prevent any on-road aggression or accidents. Aggressive driving is categorized as exhibiting behaviors such as aggressive tailgating, verbal or physically harassing another driver, preventing another driver from merging or passing.

However, if you are an aggressive driver, you are putting others at risk every time you do any of the above behaviors. If you encounter a frustrating situation on the road, instead of becoming aggressive, take a moment to breathe and relax before moving on.

18Car-Registration.org

DOR Hours and Locations

The DOR has offices conveniently located across the state. Click here to learn more about DOR office locations, schedules, and waiting times.

Have you ever visited the DOR and realized that you forgot a document? Now you can avoid that and save the trip by using the online services. You will be able to:

• Renew your car registration.

• Order a duplicate.

• Change your address.

• Pay your reinstatement fees.

If you have any questions, you can call the DOR at 1- 888-871-3171 or 615-741-3101. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Central Time.

For general inquiries, you may contact customer service by email at:

email.T&R@tn.gov

DON’T WASTE TIME AND MONEY DRIVING TO THE LICENSING OFFICE.