Car Registration & Vehicle Title

Department of Motor Vehicles

In the United States, motor vehicle registration and issuance of driver licenses is done by various state-level governmental agencies. Each state has its own laws regarding vehicle registration and licenses. Since there is no one central authority, therefore, states have their own agencies which are known by various names. However, a department of motor vehicles also known by its acronym DMV is the most widely known term for various state-level agencies dealing in motor vehicle registrations and driver license issuance. DMV is a generic term used for those state-level agencies which issue driver licenses, do motor registration and deal with other related matters like issuance of license plates, state identification cards, etc.
Since DMV is a generic term therefore in various states it assumes different names. For example, in the state of Connecticut, the agency which carries out abovementioned functions is called Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, while in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Driver Services issues driver licenses and the Motor Vehicle Division does motor vehicle registration. In the state of Iowa, DMV assumes the name of Office of Driver Services and in Kansas it is the Kansas Division of Motor Vehicles which deals with issuance of licenses and vehicle registration.
 

Motor Vehicle Registration

Motor vehicles need to be registered in the United States. In addition to issuing driver licenses, DMV registers motor vehicles as well. This is done by the department in the form of issuance of either temporary or permanent vehicle registration plates. A registration plate is essentially a vehicle’s identification. Again, each state will have its own laws on vehicle registration.
Delaware being the most populous state in the union with millions of automobiles is a good example of illustration of laws relating to motor vehicle registration.
 

Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles

Delaware department of motor vehicles is the department which deals with vehicle registrations and issuance of driver licenses in the state of Delaware. In addition, it regulates private traffic schools, private driving schools, commercial cargo carriers and new car dealers. The department has its own website http://www.dmv.de.gov/htm which provides its readers with in detail information on the various aspects of vehicle registration, driver license issuance and other related matters.
For registration and licensing the department will require the following from an applicant:

• To visit his/her local DMV office and set an appointment
• To have his/her thumb print taken
• To have his/her picture taken
• To provide the department with his/her social security number
• To verify his/her birth date and legal status
• To provide his/her real full name
• To pay the application fees
• To pass a vision exam
• To pass sign and traffic laws test

The department’s website also allows its users to get their motor vehicle registration renewed online. Additional fee is not charged for this service. Before a Delaware resident decides to have his/her vehicle’s registration renewed online, he/she needs to have the following information handy:

• Renewal notice that shows his/her current address
• Have his/her Smog certification filed with DMV, if required
• Have his/her vehicle’s last 5 digits of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Smog inspections are required for all motor vehicles in the state of Delaware. All vehicles should substantially comply with the requirements of EPA.
Change of ownership of a car also needs to be notified to DMV. If a car has been purchased from a private party, then the new buyer has 30 days from the date of sale to notify DMV. There is usually a transfer fee which needs to be paid to DMV.