Registering and titling a vehicle in Connecticut: new residents, purchases and renewals

How to register and title a vehicle in Connecticut after buying it or moving from another state, plus renewal options, emissions testing, insurance minimums and license plates, from the CT DMV.

Guide · Connecticut · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

In Connecticut, vehicle registrations and titles are handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the same agency that issues driver's licenses. Registration is done in person, by appointment, at a DMV office, or through a participating dealership. This guide covers registering a vehicle after a purchase or a move, renewing, and what to know about emissions, insurance, titles and plates.

Before you book: check for compliance issues

The DMV says state law requires it to deny registrations to anyone a Connecticut town or city reports as delinquent on property tax, and allows it to deny registrations to anyone with outstanding parking tickets. If you fall out of compliance with insurance, tax or registration rules, your registration may be suspended, and you cannot register a new vehicle or renew until the issues are resolved. Unaddressed emissions testing requirements can also block a renewal. The DMV's online compliance check lets individuals look up issues with a driver's license or ID number. Clear any problems before your appointment.

Registering a car you bought

The DMV says registering a new vehicle can only be done by appointment at a DMV hub or branch office, or at a participating dealership. When you buy from a dealer, the dealership can register the vehicle for you through the DMV's online system.

For a privately bought car or SUV for personal use, bring:

• Identification for each person listed as an owner, such as a driver's license or U.S. passport
• Form H-13B, the application for registration and certificate of title
• Proof of ownership: the title, for a vehicle newer than 20 model years. For an older vehicle, the previous owner's registration takes the place of a title.
• A Connecticut insurance identification card from your insurer
• A bill of sale (Form H-31). The DMV says a private seller may write their own instead, as long as it includes the vehicle details, buyer and seller names, addresses and signatures, the price and the date of sale.

The DMV lists these fees for a personal car or SUV:

• Registration: $190
• Lien fee: $10, if the vehicle is financed
• Sales tax, based on the vehicle and how you got it
• Emissions exemption fee: $40, for a vehicle four years old or newer
• Greenhouse gas fee: $15 with a certificate of origin, or $7.50 with an existing title

The DMV also includes a Passport to the Parks fee in non-commercial registrations; its plate transfer page gives it as $24 from July 1, 2025.

If you are the seller: sign the back of the title and give it to the buyer with a bill of sale. Keep copies. Remove your plates and cancel the registration with the DMV (this can be done online). The DMV warns that until you cancel it, the vehicle can still be assessed for property tax in your town. Keep your insurance until the registration is canceled.

Moving to Connecticut with a vehicle

The DMV says you have 90 days after establishing residency to transfer your vehicle registration. It is done by appointment at a DMV hub office or the Enfield branch office. You can transfer your driver's license at the same visit.

1. Locate your original title. If a lender holds it, ask them to mail it to the DMV. If the lender sends a photocopy of the front and back instead, you can get a courtesy registration valid for up to six months while the original is mailed.
2. Get an emissions test or VIN verification at a Connecticut emissions test center. The DMV says vehicles older than four model years need an emissions test, and exempt vehicles need a VIN verification. You receive a vehicle inspection report.
3. Gather the rest: identification (photocopies are accepted), proof of Connecticut insurance, a completed Form H-13B and payment.
4. Book a new-residents appointment.

Renewing your registration

The DMV sends a renewal invitation by mail or email 45 days before your registration expires. You can renew:

• Online, for almost all registration types. Print the renewed registration and keep it in the vehicle.
• In person, by appointment at a DMV office. Bring your renewal invitation, or your license or ID card.
• By mail, by sending the bottom part of your renewal notice. Without a return envelope, the DMV gives Department of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 150456, Hartford, CT 06115-0456.

A $10 late fee applies if you renew more than five days after the expiration date. If your registration has been expired longer than the length of a renewal term, you must book an in-person appointment. Fees vary by registration type and are shown on your renewal notice. Online payments accept Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Discover, plus debit cards with a Visa or Mastercard logo.

Emissions testing and inspections

Emissions tests are done at Connecticut Emissions Program test centers. The DMV lists exemptions including vehicles younger than four model years and model year 2001 and older vehicles. All-electric vehicles and motorcycles are also exempt. Appointments are not required. The test costs $20. Every test center accepts cash, and some also take checks or cards. The emissions hotline is 1-877-469-2884. You can look up your vehicle's test due date online.

The DMV says personal vehicles such as cars and trucks generally do not need a safety inspection. Motorcycles, salvaged and composite vehicles, and some other types do.

Insurance

Any registration that has not been canceled must carry liability insurance. The DMV lists the minimums as $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident and $25,000 property damage per accident. Your insurer gives you an insurance identification card, which you need to register and must keep in the vehicle.

Titles

The DMV says titles are issued about 30 days after the registration date. With no lien, the title goes to the owner named on the registration. With a lien, it goes to the lienholder. Connecticut does not take part in electronic title or electronic lien programs. Vehicles more than 20 model years old do not need a title. You can request a replacement title online. When a loan is paid off, you can keep the stamped paid title from your lender; you do not need a new one.

License plates

You can transfer your plates to a new vehicle. This keeps a plate you want and uses up time left on the old registration. You must meet all the requirements of a new registration. Special and vanity plates can be ordered online. Vanity plates for vehicles can have up to seven characters, and the DMV can deny certain requests. Damaged plates can be replaced online.

For booking and general office information, see the Connecticut DMV visit guide. For licenses, see the Connecticut driver's license and ID guide.