Unit 09, Lesson 01 - Registration
In Utah the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) handles vehicle, vessel, and aircraft registration, while driver licenses and IDs are handled through the Driver License Division (DLD).
What Vehicles Must Be Registered?
- Cars
- Watercraft
- Trucks
- Off-highway vehicles
- Trailers
- Snowmobiles
- Campers
- Aircraft
- Motorcycles
- Low speed electric vehicles
Land Rovers on the Hole in the Rock trail, Utah: By Nick Taylor (Flickr) CC-BY-2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trailers weighing less than 750 pounds when empty and not used for commercial purposes are not required to be registered. However, any trailer may be registered for the resident’s convenience.
Who Must Register Their Vehicles?
- Utah residents must register any of the above vehicles for use in the state.
- Non-residents using their watercraft in Utah for more than 60 days per year must be registered in Utah.
- Non-residents using their off-highway vehicle or snowmobile in Utah pay an annual user fee to the Division of Parks and Recreation. Upon payment of the $30 fee, a user receives a decal for display on the off-highway vehicle or snowmobile. Decals are available from Parks and Recreation or their authorized agents.
Exceptions: Non-resident students who pay non-resident tuition, certain military personnel, temporary workers, and individuals temporarily in Utah engaged in public or charitable service may be exempt from registering vehicles in Utah.
When registering a vehicle in Utah, the following listed items must be taken to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV):
- Most recent registration - regardless in which state your vehicle was last registered, you must take the most recent registration to the DMV
- Title - If your vehicle title is held by an out-of-state lien holder or leasing company, your vehicle will be registered in Utah, but it will not be titled. Be sure to present your current registration.
- If your vehicle is leased, you must present the power of attorney form and Utah sales tax number provided by your leasing company which authorizes you to register the vehicle on behalf of the leasing company.
- If there is more than one owner, the signature of only one of the owners is required on the application for a new Utah title.
- All motorized boats, sailboats, or personal watercraft used on Utah waters must be registered, but are titled only if they are 1985 or newer. In all cases, you must present your current registration and title.
- All off-road vehicles and snowmobiles used on public lands must be registered, but are titled only if 1988 or newer. In all cases, your current registration and title must be provided when you register your vehicle.
- Campers and aircraft are registered through your local county assessor’s office, but are not titled. The most recent registration and any other available ownership documents must be presented at the time of registration.
- Utah Safety Inspection Certificate - Cars, trucks, and on-highway motorcycles are required to be inspected prior to registration as follows: Vehicles with model years less than eight (8) years old need a safety inspection once every two years. Vehicles in this category having even-numbered model years must have safety inspections in even-numbered years, and vehicles having odd-numbered model years must have safety inspections in odd-numbered years. For example, a 2007 model year vehicle must have a safety inspection when it is registered in 2009. Vehicles with model years eight (8) years and older must pass a safety inspection every year. Vehicles registered at 10,001 pounds or more must have a safety inspection every year. Inspections are available at most service stations, and are valid for two months.
- You should present your current registration or proof of ownership at the time of inspection. If repair work is required in order to pass inspection, it may be done by anyone. Required repairs must be completed within 15 days, after which the inspection station is required to recheck the vehicle at no additional costs.
For additional information about safety inspections, please contact Utah Highway Patrol at (801) 322-1390
- Utah Emission Certificates – As a prerequisite for registration, emission certificates are required in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties and are valid for two months. All 1968 or newer model gas-powered cars and trucks in these counties must have an emissions test which can be completed at most service stations. Emissions certificates in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties for gas-powered cars and trucks are required every other year for vehicles less than six (6) years old.
Vehicles in this category that have even-numbered years and vehicles with odd-numbered model years must have an emission test in odd- numbered years. Vehicles with model years six (6) years old and older (to 1968) must have an emissions test each year.
Farm trucks may apply for an exemption from emissions with their County Health Departments. Emission testing for diesel vehicles is required in Davis and Salt Lake Counties. For additional information about emission tests and requirements, contact one of the following Environment Health Offices:
- Davis County (801) 451-3296
- Salt Lake County (801) 313-6720
- Utah County (801) 851-7600
- Weber County (801) 399-7140
- Serial Number (VIN) Inspections – Inspection of identification numbers are required for all vehicles or watercraft that have been titled in other states and are being titled/registered for the first time in Utah. Safety inspection certificates are accepted means of verification for cars, trucks, and motorcycles, providing that the VIN is accurate on the safety inspection certificate. Trailers, watercraft, off-highway vehicles, and snowmobiles require separate VIN or HIN inspections which can be completed by a Utah peace officer, a qualified safety inspection station, a Utah licensed dealer or DMV employee.
- Property Tax Clearance – All vehicles in Utah are subject to either an age-based fee or uniform fee of 1.5 or 1.0 percent of the fair market value of the vehicle. The appropriate fee must be paid when you register your vehicle or watercraft.
- Application for Registration/Title – To register and title in Utah for the first time, an Application for Utah Title must be completed and required documentation provided. Required documentation may include a vehicle title, a bill of sale, odometer statement, a previous registration and safety and emission certificates.
09.01 Registration Vehicle Safety Video
The video in this activity is developed by the state of California to help drivers develop proper driving habits. It is a "YouTube" videos, so if your school blocks access to Youtube.com, then you will have to watch the videos at another location. (library, home, GoogleTV, AppleTV etc). They are short and contain very good information on the driving task. Please watch the videos carefully. It may be necessary to watch them a couple of times to understand the information before you start your behind-the-wheel driving experience.
Skill Building Vehicle Safety
09.01 Registration Vehicle Safety Video Quiz
After watching the videos in this unit, you will be more prepared for the quiz in this unit as it will include questions from this video.