State-by-state registration
Vehicle registration requirements by US state, written for non-US residents
A guide for non-US residents
If you are planning to buy a vehicle in the US, but don't live here, you may have discovered that vehicle registration in the US is handled by the US States, not the national government.
There are many resources on the internet that describe vehicle registration in each of the US states, but they are all written for an American audience.
They say things like "Bring your Washington State driver's license" or "Provide your proof of Tennessee residency," assuming that these are easy steps for the reader.
This guide is different - it's written exclusively for visitors to the US.
Below you'll find links to the registration requirements for each US state (plus Washington, D.C.), written for the international visitor.
They highlight the requirements that are the biggest hurdles to non-Americans:
- Proof of residency
- Identity (US-issued driver's license and/or US social security number)
- Vehicle inspection requirements, and
- Cost (sales tax and registration fees).
This guide won't magically solve each state's registration requirements for you (you do need a Washington State driver's license in order to register your vehicle in Washington State, and you do need proof of Tennessee residency in order to register your vehicle in Tennessee).
But we hope it will be a resource that helps you quickly and easily sort through each of the US states' vehicle registration requirements.
After all, non-US residents get to choose the best state in which to register a vehicle that they purchase.
And isn't it nice to have a choice?
There are many resources on the internet that describe vehicle registration in each of the US states, but they are all written for an American audience.
They say things like "Bring your Washington State driver's license" or "Provide your proof of Tennessee residency," assuming that these are easy steps for the reader.
This guide is different - it's written exclusively for visitors to the US.
Below you'll find links to the registration requirements for each US state (plus Washington, D.C.), written for the international visitor.
They highlight the requirements that are the biggest hurdles to non-Americans:
- Proof of residency
- Identity (US-issued driver's license and/or US social security number)
- Vehicle inspection requirements, and
- Cost (sales tax and registration fees).
This guide won't magically solve each state's registration requirements for you (you do need a Washington State driver's license in order to register your vehicle in Washington State, and you do need proof of Tennessee residency in order to register your vehicle in Tennessee).
But we hope it will be a resource that helps you quickly and easily sort through each of the US states' vehicle registration requirements.
After all, non-US residents get to choose the best state in which to register a vehicle that they purchase.
And isn't it nice to have a choice?
The West Coast
The Mountain West
The Midwest
The South
The Northeast
There are 38 states that
Don't require proof of residency.
There are 21 states that
Don't require proof of residency.
Don't require a US driver's license.
There are 7 states that
Don't require proof of residency.
Don't require a US driver's license.
Don't require vehicle inspections.
Montana is the only US state that
Allows non-residents to register vehicles through a company.
Doesn't require a US driver's license.
Doesn't require vehicle inspections.
Doesn't have vehicle sales tax.
Want an easier way?
Let visitor.us register your vehicle in Montana, which has:
• No US driver's license requirement
• No vehicle inspection requirement
• No sales tax (purchase your vehicle in any US state)
• No vehicle inspection requirement
• No sales tax (purchase your vehicle in any US state)
Let's Get You on the Road
We make US vehicle ownership easy so you can enjoy your visit.
