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

How vehicle titles, registration and plates work in Tennessee: the county clerk's role, what to bring for a new or used vehicle, what new residents need, five ways to renew, insurance and specialty plates.

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

In Tennessee, vehicle titles, registration and license plates are administered by the Tennessee Department of Revenue, but you do the actual transactions at your local county clerk's office. Revenue's contact page says to visit your county clerk for all title and registration transactions. Revenue publishes a list of every county clerk's office, with addresses, phone numbers and opening hours. Driver licenses are handled by a different department; see the Tennessee driver license guide.

Titling a vehicle you bought (current residents)

Revenue says current Tennessee residents get titles for new and used vehicles from their county clerk's office. What to bring depends on the vehicle:

For both, bring proof of identification and proof of residency.

A new vehicle:

• the manufacturer's Statement of Origin
• the new vehicle's invoice
• a copy of your current registration, if you are transferring your license plate

A used vehicle:

• a valid certificate of title
• an odometer disclosure statement, if applicable
• a copy of your current registration, if you are transferring your license plate
• the Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfers, if the vehicle was a gift, sold at a low price, or transferred between lineal relatives

Buying from a dealer. Revenue's Dealer Drive-Out EZ-Tag program lets dealers send vehicle, lien and owner information to the county clerk's office electronically and print a temporary tag. Ask your dealer which steps it handles for you and which you must complete at the county clerk.

Revenue's pages do not list title fees or registration fees; the county clerk's office can tell you the amount for your vehicle.

Moving to Tennessee with a vehicle

Revenue says that someone moving from another state must file an application for a certificate of title and registration through their local county clerk. Bring:

• proof of identification and proof of residency
• your most current out-of-state registration
• either the name and address of the lienholder you are making payments to, or, if there is no lienholder, your out-of-state title

The Revenue pages used for this guide do not state a deadline for registering a vehicle after you move. Driver Services does give a 30-day deadline for your driver license; see the driver license guide.

Renewing your registration

Revenue lists five ways to renew:

1. Online at tncountyclerk.com. Select your county of residence from the drop-down list.
2. At a self-service kiosk. The tncountyclerk.com site lists kiosk locations.
3. By phone app, using the Auto Assistant app from your phone's app store.
4. By mail, sending your payment and renewal notice to your county clerk's office.
5. In person, at your county clerk's office with your renewal notice or current registration.

When you renew online, you can opt out of paper renewal postcards and get email or text reminders instead.

Keep your address current. Revenue says renewal notices are not forwarded. To change your address, contact your county clerk's office and list every vehicle registered in your name. If you do not, your renewal notice may be undeliverable.

Insurance

Revenue's Drive Insured TN program checks auto liability coverage. Revenue warns that drivers who are not covered by an auto liability policy, or who cannot show other proof of financial responsibility, may pay fines and risk losing their vehicle registration. If you get a notice from Revenue asking you to verify coverage, use the Tennessee Insurance Verification application with your license plate number and the PIN from the notice. You can also check your status there with your plate number and VIN.

License plates

Revenue administers more than 100 specialty license plates. Availability is handled by county clerks, so ask your county clerk's office. You can personalize a standard passenger plate, or certain specialty plates for vehicles and motorcycles, through Revenue's online application for $35. That is on top of the regular state registration fee and any county or specialty plate fees. Disabled driver plates, placards and decals are available to Tennessee residents who qualify.

Other online tools

Revenue's online services page also links to a vehicle recall check and to Motor Vehicle Data Services, which needs an account to search registrations by plate or VIN.

Getting help

For title and registration questions, Revenue lists a statewide toll-free line, (888) 871-3171, and (615) 741-3101 for the Nashville area and out-of-state callers. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. For your county clerk, use Revenue's county clerk list or the Tennessee office list on this site. For general visit planning, see the Tennessee DMV visit guide.