Even though customers can rarely contain the excitement when purchasing a new vehicle, some things could make the mood a bit drab. That would include the actual process of registration, acquiring all necessary paperwork, and counting up additional costs in fees.
While it’s true that for some dealing with registration and the DMV, in general, it’s easy. For others, it can become quite challenging. There are multiple things to remember and procure beforehand, and some guidance is always in order, which is especially true in the case of car tags.
Car tags are, in most cases, yearly registration stickers you must place on your license plate every time you renew the registration. They will display digits of the year through which the vehicle’s registration is valid, like “22” for 2022.
Generally speaking, you need the tags as proof of yearly registration. They are necessary just as registration and insurance cards, and you must always have them on your automobile. Not having them affixed to your car results in steep fines or penalties.
License plates and car tags are not the same things. As opposed to Vehicle Identification Number or VIN, the plates are state-specific, which means they are assigned to your car on registration by the local DMV.
So, what does it mean? If you acquire the vehicle from another state, you must replace the current plates and acquire a new set of stickers. This is because you’re registering in a new location and thus will get a new number, which means you have to undergo registration all over again. And, of course, as valid proof of your compliance with the procedure, pay for the tags initially and renew them each year.
A good starting point would be the tags themselves, as they always indicate the expiration date. However, they never mention if the registration will last throughout the year, and thus it’s best to be aware of when it’s due personally.
For instance, if you registered in October 2021, the tags will list “22” as the expiration date. As you see, it doesn’t mean they’ll last through the whole year, but only until the following October.
If you remember the exact expiration date, including the month and the year, you can quickly proceed with the renewal on time. But even if you don’t, DMV sends notices a week prior to remind the owners that their registration is about to run out.
The notice will arrive at the address given during the registration process. So, if you want to receive the notices and live in another place now, it’s best to call the DMV and inform them. Other than that, there are several ways to renew:
Now that we’ve outlined all relevant information let’s discuss costs. While the price will differ depending on your state, buying the tags will set you back by about $31 plus tax and service fees in Ohio. If you have customized plates installed, then the sum will probably reach $60.
As mentioned previously, you must renew the tags yearly. If you fail to do that and your registration has expired for 30 days or more, you incur an additional $10 fee. The state of Ohio will also charge a Deputy Registrar Agency fee of $5 for a one-year renewal, a processing fee of $1.75 for online transactions, and the current postage rate to send you the tags.
Car tags are essential, just your registration and insurance cards, and they serve as valid proof of you registering the vehicle. As they are mandatory, you must renew them yearly through DMV, online, or in person, preferably a week or so before expiration.
They will cost around $31 to renew or $60 if you have customized plates. Of course, you also have to pay additional service and tax fees, especially if you fail to renew the tags within 30 days. So, be mindful and cautious, as it’s always a good idea to do things on time.
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