How Much To Register A Car In Tn

Title and Registration

CAUTION!

Before purchasing a vehicle from an individual, especially through an online auction website, please be sure you can obtain the following paperwork from the seller:

A Certificate of Title with that individual's name on the front. If there is also a Lien Holder's name on the front, it must be signed as released from the Lien Holder.
It is also helpful to have a Notarized Bill of Sale.

There may be other required documentation to register the vehicle, depending on your specific situation. If you have any questions before buying a vehicle, contact our office.

NEW VEHICLES

The dealership usually handles the title and registration of a new vehicle for the customer. The dealership may make application for title and registration in the county where the purchase took place or send the title application to the Davidson County Clerk's office to process. If we receive the title application we will either notify you by mail or simply process the application if the appropriate fees are provided. If the title work is given to you to process, you will need to bring all paperwork (Title or MSO, Bill of Sale, any other relevant documents) to our office for processing. Application for title and registration may be made at our main office and our 5 satellite offices. You cannot apply for a title only; the vehicle must be registered at the time when you make application for title. You must be the owner of the vehicle or furnish a Power of Attorney form from the owner. You will be required to furnish a copy of your driver license or acceptable proof of identification.

The fees for titling and registering are as follows:

New private passenger license plate (metro decal) and title – $95.00 (Noting Lien additional $11)
Transfer plates and title – $14.50 (Noting Lien additional $11)
New motorcycle license plate (metro decal) and title – $88.00 (Noting Lien additional $11)
New commercial registration/Specialty Registration – Contact 615-862-6251

Sales Tax Calculator

– Please go to our Frequently Asked Questions section for additional title information.

USED VEHICLES

When purchasing a used vehicle from an individual you should make sure the seller properly reassigns the Certificate of Title. The seller should sign under the Assignment of Title by Registered Owner heading. MAKE SURE THAT THE PERSON'S NAME YOU ARE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE FROM APPEARS ON THE FRONT OF THE TITLE AND THEY HAVE SIGNED EXACTLY AS THEIR NAME(S) APPEARS ON THE FRONT OF THE TITLE. Please note that only a licensed dealer may pass ownership without titling the vehicle in their names.

If there are two names on the front of the title and the names are joined by the conjunction AND, both parties must sign the back of the title. Upon receipt of the Certificate of Title you should sign to accept ownership of the vehicle. You must have a valid plate to transfer to the purchased vehicle, or you will need to purchase a new plate. You must satisfy the emissions test requirement for Davidson County before purchasing new license plates. You will also be required to pay sales tax on the vehicle, a registration fee, and a title fee. You cannot apply for a title only; the vehicle must be registered at the time of application for title. You must be the owner of the vehicle or furnish a Power of Attorney form from the owner. Application for title and registration may be made at our main office and our 5 satellite offices. You will be required to furnish a copy of your driver license or acceptable proof of identification.

The fees for titling and registering are as follows:

New private passenger license plate (metro decal) and title – $95.00 (Noting Lien additional $11)
Transfer plates and title – $14.50 (Noting Lien additional $11)
New motorcycle license plate (metro decal) and title – $88.00 (Noting Lien additional $11)
New commercial registration/Specialty Registration – Contact 615-862-6251

Sales Tax Calculator

– Please go to our Frequently Asked Questions section for additional title information.

PROOF OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

To title and register a motor vehicle in Davidson County, the owner must possess a State of Tennessee issued Driver License/I.D. , or provide two documents that prove residency in the county. In the case of a commercial vehicle, physical presence must be established, such as the owner's principal place of business or an office or place of business maintained by the owner. While a resident or commercial business owner may use a mail service provider like a post office box, to receive incoming mail, they may not use this address as the sole basis for establishing a bona fide residence or physical presence.

Acceptable proofs of residency and physical presence include the following:

Current utility bill including the postmarked envelope it was mailed in
Current bank statement
Current rental/mortgage contract fully signed and executed or receipt including deed of sale for property
Current TN voter registration
Click here for a complete list

NEW TO STATE

Once you have established residency in Davidson County you are required to make application for Tennessee title and registration. You will need to surrender your out of state title to our office. If there is a lien on your vehicle, bring a copy of your title or a copy of your most recent registration accompanied by the correct name and mailing address of your lien holder. Some States issue the title to the owner rather than the lien holder; in this case you would be required to have your title. Once you have satisfied the emissions test requirement for Davidson County you may make application for title and registration at our main office and our 5 satellite offices. You must be the owner of the vehicle or furnish a Power of Attorney form from the owner. You will be required to furnish a copy of your driver license or acceptable proof of identification.

The fees for titling and registering are as follows:

Private passenger license plate (metro decal) and title – $95.00
Motorcycle license plate (metro decal) and title – $88.00
Commercial registration/Specialty Registration – Contact 615-862-6251

You will need to take with you the passed emissions certificate, the most current out-of-state registration, and the name and address of the lien holder to whom you are making payments. If you do not have a lien holder, you must furnish your out of state title. Click here for emissions testing locations.

*You will be required to furnish a copy of your driver license or acceptable proof of identification.

Leased Vehicle New to State : If you are leasing the vehicle you will be required to furnish the out of state registration in the leasing company name, a notarized Power of Attorney from the leasing company, an Owner's Authorization to Lessee, a copy of the lease agreement, and a valid Tennessee sales tax number for the lease company. Once you have satisfied the emissions test requirement for Davidson County you may make application for title and registration at our main office and our 5 satellite offices.

– Please go to our Frequently Asked Questions section for additional title information.