Vehicle registration in New Hampshire is a mandatory process that ensures vehicles are legally recognized for use on public roads. It involves obtaining a unique license plate and registration certificate, which serves as proof of ownership and compliance with state regulations.
According to New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 261:40, it is illegal for any person to drive or permit a vehicle to be driven on public roads without proper registration unless the car is specifically exempt by law. This statute highlights the obligation of vehicle owners to comply with the registration requirements, with non-compliance resulting in legal penalties.
The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) manages vehicle registration in the state. It oversees the registration process, from outlining the documentary requirements to issuing license plates and the renewal process.
Following the regulations mandated by the DMV is paramount for vehicle owners in New Hampshire. By staying informed about registration requirements, individuals can guarantee their vehicles' smooth and lawful operation on state roadways.
How To Register a Car in New Hampshire?
Registering a car in New Hampshire has two parts.
The first part requires a personal visit to a local town or city clerk's office, where necessary documentation and fees must be provided. The second part is the state transaction. However, the town or city clerk often has an agent who can complete this transaction for additional fees.
The registration process and documentary requirements vary depending on specific circumstances.
New residents have different requirements, and vehicles purchased from a dealership, whether in-state or out-of-state, and vehicles purchased from a private party each have different processes. The registration process for title-exempt vehicles and military members also has unique guidelines.
Below is detailed information about the registration process for each of these circumstances:
Registration of Vehicles for New Residents in New Hampshire
Once new residents establish residency in New Hampshire, they have 60 days to register their vehicles. Residency is established upon purchasing, leasing, or renting a residence in the state.
New residents must visit the town clerk's office with their out-of-state title and registration to register a vehicle. If the vehicle is leased, the lease agreement and the lienholder's details are necessary. While awaiting title information from the lienholder, a temporary license plate, valid for 20 days, can be issued.
In addition, proof of New Hampshire residency, such as a lease, mortgage agreement, or utility bills, must be presented.
After submitting the documentary requirements, new residents must pay the applicable registration fees, including separate state and city transactions.
The town clerk will prepare the necessary paperwork to finalize the vehicle registration upon payment.
Registration of Vehicles Purchased from New Hampshire Dealership
Individuals who purchased a vehicle from a dealership in New Hampshire can obtain a temporary license plate from the dealer. This temporary plate is valid for 20 days, allowing the buyer to complete the registration process.
To register a vehicle purchased from a New Hampshire dealership, individuals must visit their local town clerk's office and provide necessary documents, including the vehicle title or blue pages of the title application.
A manufacturer's statement of origin is required if the purchased vehicle is new. If the car has a lien, the lienholder information must also be provided. Additionally, proof of New Hampshire residency must be furnished.
Alongside these documents, the buyer must pay the relevant registration fees and state and city fees to complete the registration process.
Registration of Vehicles Purchased from an Out-of-state Dealership in New Hampshire
When purchasing a vehicle from an out-of-state dealership and intending to bring it into New Hampshire, following the proper registration process is essential.
To begin with, inquire with the dealership before departing if a temporary license plate for the vehicle can be obtained to enable smooth transportation into the state.
Upon arrival in New Hampshire, individuals should visit the town clerk's office to complete the registration process. The following must be submitted:
- Title received from the out-of-state dealership
- Title application if there is a lienholder in New Hampshire
- Manufacturer's statement of origin for brand-new vehicles
- Proof of residency
- Payment for registration fees and city and state fees
Registration of Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party in New Hampshire
When purchasing a used vehicle from a private party in New Hampshire, individuals can initially obtain a 20-day temporary license plate from a local DMV office. This temporary plate allows one to legally drive the vehicle from the seller's location to the county clerk's office for official registration.
Individuals must present several documents at the town clerk's office to register a vehicle purchased from a private party. These include the vehicle title, which must be properly signed over from the seller to the buyer, proof of New Hampshire residency, and an Odometer Disclosure Statement.
Additionally, the buyer must pay the necessary registration fees along with state and city fees.
If the buyer intends to take the vehicle out of New Hampshire to register it in another state, they can use the temporary permit to drive it across state lines legally. This ensures the vehicle is lawfully operable while the buyer arranges for permanent registration in the destination state.
Registration of Title-Exempt Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party in New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, specific vehicles are exempt from being registered and titled. These include mopeds, invalid tricycles, self-propelled wheelchairs, trailers weighing less than 3,001 pounds, and animal-powered vehicles.
Additionally, the state does not title vehicles with a 1999 or older model year, except heavy trucks featuring three or more axles or tractor trucks with a gross weight exceeding 18,000 pounds.
However, vehicles 25 years or older can be titled upon the owner's request.
To register a title-exempt vehicle in New Hampshire, one must visit a town or city clerk's office and present a valid bill of sale as required by New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 261:148.
Proof of the vehicle identification number (VIN) is also necessary, which can be provided through an original or copy of the title, a previous or copy of a New Hampshire registration, or a completed VIN Verification Form. Additionally, proof of residency must be submitted.
Individuals must also be prepared to pay the necessary registration fees and applicable city or state costs to complete the process.
Vehicle Registration for Military Members in New Hampshire
Military members in New Hampshire follow specific guidelines for vehicle registration.
Those serving in New Hampshire from another state are not required to register their vehicles in New Hampshire, provided their current registration from their home state remains valid.
Conversely, military members who are New Hampshire residents and stationed within the state can register their vehicles using the above procedures.
For New Hampshire residents serving out-of-state, registering and titling a newly purchased vehicle requires contacting the NH DMV by phone at (603) 227-4030 or email at NH.DMVHelp@dos.nh.gov for guidance on the specific steps to follow.
In New Hampshire, vehicles are not required to undergo an emissions inspection before registration. However, vehicle owners are required to have their vehicles undergo both safety and emissions inspection after ten (10) days of registering them at the town clerk's office.
Refer to the NH DMV's Inspections and Emissions page for more details.
New Hampshire License Plates
Most vehicles in New Hampshire must have license plates displayed on both the front and back. However, motorcycles and trailers are an exception, as they only require a single license plate mounted on the back.
Individuals must complete the vehicle registration process to obtain license plates in the state. These plates come with a month and year sticker that indicates the expiration date of the vehicle's tags. These stickers are affixed to the bottom corners of the license plate and should not obstruct the plate number.
New Hampshire offers various types of license plates to its residents. The standard issue plates, commonly called passenger plates, feature the iconic "old man of the mountain" design. Additionally, specialized plates are available, such as decal plates, veteran plates, conservation plates, state parks plates, conservation parks plates, and vanity plates.
How To Obtain Vanity License Plates in New Hampshire?
Individuals can obtain personalized registration plates, known as vanity plates, for their vehicles. These plates allow owners to create their unique license plate numbers.
To apply for a vanity plate, individuals must complete and submit an Application for Vanity Plates to their town or city clerk's office or any DMV location.
For those who prefer to apply by mail, the application form, town or city portion of registration, and appropriate fees must be submitted to the following address:
NH Dept. of Safety
DMV - Registration Bureau
23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305
A vanity plate in New Hampshire costs $40 for 12 months. This fee is prorated based on the number of months the vehicle is registered. Additionally, there is an $8 one-time plate fee.
Note that most passenger vehicles can have up to seven characters, and these combinations must comply with administrative rules. Vanity plates cannot include zeros, falsely imply government affiliation, or reference prohibited subjects such as profanity, violence, illegal activities, and discrimination based on race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Once an application for a vanity plate is approved, the plates will be mailed to the applicant. If the chosen vanity plate is denied, the applicant will receive a letter by mail, a set of number plates, and a new registration. Individuals can use the Vanity Plate Search tool to check the availability of a specific vanity plate.
How Much Does Vehicle Registration Cost in New Hampshire?
Since the vehicle registration process in New Hampshire is two-part, individuals must expect to pay a dual fee structure from the city or town and the state. These fees must be paid separately through check, money order, or credit card.
The state fees are calculated based on the vehicle's weight, and they are as follows:
- $31.20 for vehicles weighing 0 to 3000 pounds
- $43.20 for vehicles weighing 3001 to 5000 pounds
- $55.20 for vehicles weighing 5001 to 8000 pounds
- $0.96 per 100 pounds for vehicles weighing 8001 to 73,280 pounds
For more details regarding state fees, refer to the New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 261:141.
On the other hand, city fees are outlined in New Hampshire Revised Statutes Section 261:153. According to this section, the registration fee for most passenger vehicles and trucks is $3. Heavy vehicles and buses, however, require a fee of $5, while motorcycles carry a registration cost of $2.
In addition to the above-mentioned fees, other charges may apply during vehicle registration. These include an $8 initial license plate fee, a $10 fee for temporary 20-day registration, and a $15 fee for duplicate car registration if needed.
How To Renew Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire?
When a vehicle's registration in New Hampshire nears expiration or has already expired, owners must promptly renew it for their vehicle to remain legally operable on state roadways.
The NH DMV sends vehicle renewal notices to individuals before their registration expires. Individuals should bring this notice or their current vehicle registration and payment to their local NH DMV office to initiate the renewal process.
The fees for renewal of vehicle registration vary depending on the county and encompass both local city and state payments. The exact price can usually be found on the renewal notice itself.
Although renewal typically requires in-person visits, certain towns or cities may offer alternative methods, such as online or mail-in registration, depending on local regulations. Individuals can confirm the availability of these alternate methods by directly contacting their town/city clerk or tax collector.
Renewing Vehicle Registration in New Hampshire While Out of State
Residents of New Hampshire who face expiration of their vehicle registration while temporarily residing out of state, such as for military service or college commitments, can renew their registration up to four months in advance.
To facilitate this process, one should submit the necessary documents, such as the current vehicle registration or the registration renewal notice, to the local NH city clerk's office.
Additionally, individuals must include payment for the renewal fee and their out-of-state mailing address, specifying where they would like their renewed registration to be sent.
How To Check if a Vehicle Is Currently Registered in New Hampshire?
Currently, the NH DMV does not provide an online lookup tool for individuals to verify the registration status of a specific vehicle. To obtain this information, interested parties must visit the NH DMV office in person or contact them directly via phone at (603) 227-4030 or email at nh.dmvhelp@dos.nh.gov.
Keep in mind that the NH DMV requires the VIN, license plate number, owner name, and other relevant details to conduct a lookup in its records when requesting a certain vehicle's registration status.