Vehicle Registration for Military Families

If you hate moving, you’re not alone. A study found that one out of 10 Americans would prefer a week in jail than deal with the hassle of moving.

Military families know the feeling as well as anyone.

About 400,000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders are issued annually. Many aspects of a move become almost routine for service members, but one important question usually pops up whenever you move to a new state.

Do I have to register my vehicle?

The answer is probably yes, which raises the question of how that is done. Fear not, the process is not a big enough hassle to make you prefer to spend a week in jail.

State-by-State Military Auto Registration

The amount of hassle depends on where your PCS orders take you. If you’re lucky, you’ll be sent to a state like Florida that waives its $225 registration fee for people who’ve moved there under military orders.

A state like Minnesota is even better (except in the winter), in that it doesn’t require service members to register their vehicles as long as their registration remained current in their home state.

Many states offer fee discounts and other exemptions for active-duty service members and veterans. Most require proof of insurance when you register.

Your insurance carrier might have different rates in your new state, or it might not offer coverage there. So be sure to add “Check auto insurance” to your moving To-Do list.

Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of registration information for service members.

Alabama

No registration required as long as your registration remains current in your home state, and you have valid insurance.
» Click here to learn more.

Alaska

No registration required as long as your registration remains current in your home state and you have valid insurance.
» Click here to learn more.

Arizona

Service members are exempt from paying the license tax when registering. You can also get a one-year Special Military Exemption from the license tax and registration fee. The exemption applies to not more than two vehicles.
» Click here to learn more.

Arkansas

No registration is required as long as your registration remains current in your home state.
» Click here to learn more.

California

Service members can drive their vehicles as long as they have valid license plates and insurance from their home state.
» Click here to learn more

Colorado

Service members must register their vehicles but can avoid paying an ownership tax by completing a Non-residence and Military Service Exemption from Specific Ownership Tax Affidavit form.
» Click here to learn more.

Delaware

Service members that want to renew their vehicle registration when stationed out of Delaware must contact the state’s Registration Correspondence Section for a registration packet, provided they live outside a 250-mile radius of the state.
» Click here to learn more.

Florida

Service members on PCS orders are exempt from the $225 registration fee.
» Click here to learn more.

Georgia

Non-resident service members are not required to register their vehicles as long as they have a valid license plate from the home state of record.
» Click here to learn more.

Hawaii

Service members can keep their home state registration or register in Hawaii.
» Click here to learn more.

Idaho

Idaho does not allow extensions of vehicle registrations for service members.
» Click here to learn more.

Illinois

Service members and their immediate family members can drive with an expired license and registration for up to 120 days after returning to the state. A Military Deferral Certificate is required and available at no charge.
» Click here to learn more.

Indiana

Service members from out of state must register their vehicles with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
» Click here to learn more.

Iowa

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles as long as they  are properly registered in their home state.
» Click here to learn more.

Kansas

Service members on PCS orders and their dependents are not required to change driver’s licenses or register their vehicles as long as the vehicles and licenses are valid in their home states.
» Click here to learn more.

Kentucky

Service members stationed outside the state can renew their registration online. They might be exempt from property tax on the vehicle as long as they remain on active duty.
» Click here to learn more.

Maine

Service members may renew their vehicle registration and driver’s license online. They may also be eligible for a waiver for the state excise tax if they are on PCS orders.
» Click here to learn more.

Maryland

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles as long as the vehicles have valid registrations in the service member’s home state.
» Click here to learn more.

Massachusetts

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles as long as their home-state registrations are valid. The only requirement is members must carry insurance that meets Massachusetts’ minimum levels.
» Click here to learn more.

Michigan

All service members must register their vehicles.
» Click here to learn more.

Minnesota

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles as long as the registration is valid in their home state. Minnesota residents stationed out of state are exempt from the registration tax during their service and for one year after completing their military obligation.
» Click here to learn more.

Mississippi

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles as long the vehicles are properly registered in their home state. Service members who call the Magnolia State home are required to register.
» Click here to learn more.

Missouri

Service members are required to register their vehicles.
» Click here to learn more.

Montana

Service members, including National Guard or Reserves, can register their vehicles without paying some registration fees.
» Click here to learn more.

Nevada

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles as long as the vehicles are properly registered in their home states. The state does offer tax exemption and fee waivers if members choose to register in Nevada.
» Click here to learn more.

Nebraska

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles as long as they maintain valid registrations in their home states.
» Click here to learn more.

New Hampshire

Service members have to register their vehicles every year.
» Click here to learn more.

New Jersey

Service members from New Jersey and their immediate families are entitled to extensions for registrations, licenses and inspections.
» Click here to learn more.

New Mexico

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles as long as they maintain valid registrations in their home states.
» Click here to learn more.

New York

Service members are required to register their vehicles, though the state offers a sales tax exemption under certain circumstances.
» Click here to learn more.

North Carolina

Service members are required to register their vehicles.
» Click here to learn more.

North Dakota

Service members are required to register their vehicles.
» Click here to learn more.

Ohio

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles, though they must maintain valid registrations in their home states. Ohio military residents must register their vehicles just like civilians.
» Click here to learn more.

Oklahoma

Service members on PCS orders and members who are state residents must register their vehicles. They are eligible for discounted registration fees.
» Click here to learn more.

Oregon

Service members are required to register their vehicles.
» Click here to learn more.

Pennsylvania

Service members must renew their vehicle registrations annually in the Keystone State.
» Click here to learn more.

Rhode Island

Service members must register their vehicles and keep them current even if they are stationed out of state.
» Click here to learn more.

South Carolina

All service members must register their vehicles annually.
» Click here to learn more.

South Dakota

Service members are required to register their vehicles annually in the Mount Rushmore State, even if they are related to one of the presidents on Mount Rushmore.
» Click here to learn more.

Tennessee

All service members must register their vehicles through their county clerk. They may also have to pay county wheel taxes, though not all counties require emissions testing before registering the vehicles.
» Click here to learn more.

Texas

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles, though the vehicles must maintain valid registrations in the member’s home state.
» Click here to learn more.

Utah

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles, though the vehicles must maintain valid registrations in the member’s home state. Service members whose legal residence is Utah are eligible for various tax and fee exemptions while stationed out of state.
» Click here to learn more.

Vermont

Service members are required to register vehicles but are eligible for various exemptions.
» Click here to learn more.

Virginia

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles, though the vehicles must maintain valid registrations in the member’s home state. Service members from Virginia are eligible for registration and license exemptions while stationed out of state.
» Click here to learn more.

Washington

Service members on PCS orders are not required to register their vehicles, though the vehicles must maintain valid registrations in their home states.
» Click here to learn more.

Washington, D.C.

All service members must register their vehicles or obtain a reciprocity sticker from the District.
» Click here to learn more.

West Virginia

Service members must register their vehicles but are eligible for various exemptions.
» Click here for more information.

Wisconsin

Service members must register their vehicles but are eligible for various exemptions in the Badger State.
» Click here to learn more.

Wyoming

Service members must register their vehicles but are eligible for some tax and fee breaks.
» Click here to learn more.