All vehicles in the US must be registered, by law, before being driven in public spaces. This must be renewed annually and those who break the law are subject to a fine and possibly imprisonment.

Registering a vehicle basically means that in exchange for paying a fee, you can now drive the car on public roads. It is provided only if you have insurance for the vehicle and is based on several factors including the year, make and model of the car.

The actual process to obtain the registration may differ from state to state. However, the most common documents that will need to be presented at registration are the car title, proof of insurance, and a bill of sale. Many states will refuse to register a car without the current car owner providing them.

When you buy a car, you become legally responsible for paying any amounts owed on the vehicle, as well as associated fees and charges. This is why it is suggested to consumers that anyone privately selling a car record the transaction with a car sales invoice form. This will provide proof that the vehicle has been transferred to a new owner and that the new owner is now responsible for any of the above charges and fees.

Although the process of registering your vehicle may seem expensive and troublesome, it is nevertheless a necessary part of car ownership and will protect you against various types of fraud associated with your car.