Frequently Asked Questions
1. When I sell or otherwise dispose of my vehicle, does the license plate remain on the vehicle?
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Effective January 1, 1998 license plates are to be removed by the registrant upon sale or disposal of the vehicle, for possible transfer to a replacement vehicle. Also beginning August 1, 2000, owners may be entitled to a pro rata credit for property classes paid for the remainder of their current tax year. If the vehicle is sold or reassigned, the owner may bring their supporting documents and apply for a tax credit voucher within one year.
2. What is the fee to transfer a license plate?
In Houston County the transfer fee is $8.25. In addition to paying the transfer fee, county officials are required to collect any outstanding and current property taxes on the newly acquired vehicle. Also, if the newly acquired vehicle was purchased from someone other than a licensed Alabama motor vehicle dealer, state and local sales or use tax may be due. The State of Alabama has an automotive sales tax rate of 2%. Houston County's rate is .50%. The municipal sales tax rates range from 0.50% to 2%.
3. What items should I bring to register a newly acquired used vehicle from an Alabama licensed dealer?
-Copy of Alabama title application
-Copy of Bill of Sale
-Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Affidavit (If the application is checked as a used vehicle)
-Proof of Alabama Liability Vehicle Insurance, (NAIC, policy number, effective date)
-Each New Owners Valid Alabama Drivers License or ID Card
4. Does Alabama law require the vehicle operator to retain registration documents within the vehicle for possible presentation to law enforcement?
Yes. Act 96-733, effective January 1, 1998, provides that the owner shall retain within the vehicle the Motor Vehicle Registration Tag and Tax Receipt (or photocopy thereof) for possible presentation to law enforcement. The fine, upon conviction, is a minimum of $50. If someone trades vehicles, he/she is required to retain within the vehicle prior to transferring the registration, a copy of the title application from the selling dealer or finance company, or the bill of sale from the individual seller. Also beginning July 1, 2001, proof of vehicle liability insurance is required for presentation to law enforcement.
5. What are the prerequisites to registration?
- Alabama Certificate of Title ($25) for motor vehicles 35 years old and subsequent year model vehicles.
- Assessment and payment of ad valorem (personal property taxes) based on the market value of the vehicle.
- Truck and truck tractors owners are required to provide proof of payment of federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (Form 2290).
-Owners proof of liability insurance (NAIC , policy number, current effective date) and valid drivers license for each owner or, if company-owned, their current FEIN.
- Payment of the appropriate registration and issuance fee ($36.25 for automobiles and trucks up to 8,000 pounds gross weight).
6. Is emission testing a prerequisite to registration?
No.
7. Is a registrant required to prove that he/she has liability insurance?
Yes (NAIC Number, Policy Number and VIN)
8. Is it necessary for the license plate issuing official to inspect the vehicle?
Under Alabama law, if the vehicle is being titled for the first time in Alabama or if a non-titled vehicle is being registered for the first time in a new owner's name, an inspection of the vehicle identification number is required. Thus, it would be necessary for the vehicle to be taken to the county office in order to make application for certificate of title and for the vehicle to be registered. Utility trailers are exempt from physical inspections.
9. How does one obtain a personalized license plate?
One completes an application with the Houston County Motor Vehichle Division. The office will make inquiry to the State Motor Vehicle Division to verify if the requested letters and/or numbers are available for issuance. If so, the issuing official will collect the appropriate registration fee, issue a registration receipt, a sixty-day temporary license plate, and the month and year decal to be placed on the new license plate. The license plate will be shipped from the manufacturing facility to the registrant (usually 60 days). A search engine for personalized messages is provided by the the Alabama Department of Revenue see Reservation for Personalized License Plate.
10. What is the fee for a personalized plate?
The registrant is subject to payment of the standard registration fees based on the type vehicle, plus an additional fee. The additional fee for a standard personalized license plate or for a personalized motorcycle license plate or most distinctive license plates is $50 each time the tag is renewed.
11. How does one obtain a disability parking credentials?
In order to obtain the disability access license plates, the vehicle (or vehicles) must be fully or partially owned by the person with the disability. There is no limit on the number of license plates that may be obtained. Anyone obtaining the disability access license plate may obtain one placard; anyone who does not obtain the license plate may qualify for two placards. One temporary placard is available upon certification by the physician, using the application form, that the disability meets the federal criteria and is temporary. The maximum length of time for a temporary parking placard under federal law is six months. As of January 2022, physician recertification is not required for persons with long-term disabilities, instead these individuals may self-certify.
12. Am I required to surrender to the license plate upon Revocation of the Registration?
Yes. If the vehicle was in exempt (stored, inoperable, or other unused) status the registrant should visit their local licensing official to surrender the license plate within thirty days of the MLI verification notice.
Failure to surrender the license plate within 30 calendar days of the MLI verification Notice will result in suspension of their vehicle registration.
Failure to surrender the license plate or completion of the "Request for Registration Revocation" form (MV32-7A-5) within 30 days of the MLI verification notice will result in a registration suspension. However, if the registrant was unable to surrender the plate within 30 days due to any of the reasons listed on MV Form 32-7A-11 (on DOR website), the registrant may qualify for a "good cause" extension. The form should be completed (along with necessary documentation) and submitted to their local licensing official within 30 calendar days from the date that the "good cause" event ended. If the plate and/or a completed form MV32-7A-5 was not submitted to the local licensing official within 30 days of the MLI verification notice and if the registrant does not qualify for any of the good cause reasons listed on MV32-7A-11, reinstatement fees ($200 for first suspension; $400 for second and subsequent suspension) and evidence of current Alabama liability insurance coverage must be provided to their local licensing official to remove the registration suspension.
1
Effective January 1, 1998 license plates are to be removed by the registrant upon sale or disposal of the vehicle, for possible transfer to a replacement vehicle. Also beginning August 1, 2000, owners may be entitled to a pro rata credit for property classes paid for the remainder of their current tax year. If the vehicle is sold or reassigned, the owner may bring their supporting documents and apply for a tax credit voucher within one year.
2. What is the fee to transfer a license plate?
In Houston County the transfer fee is $8.25. In addition to paying the transfer fee, county officials are required to collect any outstanding and current property taxes on the newly acquired vehicle. Also, if the newly acquired vehicle was purchased from someone other than a licensed Alabama motor vehicle dealer, state and local sales or use tax may be due. The State of Alabama has an automotive sales tax rate of 2%. Houston County's rate is .50%. The municipal sales tax rates range from 0.50% to 2%.
3. What items should I bring to register a newly acquired used vehicle from an Alabama licensed dealer?
-Copy of Alabama title application
-Copy of Bill of Sale
-Used Motor Vehicle Dealer Affidavit (If the application is checked as a used vehicle)
-Proof of Alabama Liability Vehicle Insurance, (NAIC, policy number, effective date)
-Each New Owners Valid Alabama Drivers License or ID Card
4. Does Alabama law require the vehicle operator to retain registration documents within the vehicle for possible presentation to law enforcement?
Yes. Act 96-733, effective January 1, 1998, provides that the owner shall retain within the vehicle the Motor Vehicle Registration Tag and Tax Receipt (or photocopy thereof) for possible presentation to law enforcement. The fine, upon conviction, is a minimum of $50. If someone trades vehicles, he/she is required to retain within the vehicle prior to transferring the registration, a copy of the title application from the selling dealer or finance company, or the bill of sale from the individual seller. Also beginning July 1, 2001, proof of vehicle liability insurance is required for presentation to law enforcement.
5. What are the prerequisites to registration?
- Alabama Certificate of Title ($25) for motor vehicles 35 years old and subsequent year model vehicles.
- Assessment and payment of ad valorem (personal property taxes) based on the market value of the vehicle.
- Truck and truck tractors owners are required to provide proof of payment of federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (Form 2290).
-Owners proof of liability insurance (NAIC , policy number, current effective date) and valid drivers license for each owner or, if company-owned, their current FEIN.
- Payment of the appropriate registration and issuance fee ($36.25 for automobiles and trucks up to 8,000 pounds gross weight).
6. Is emission testing a prerequisite to registration?
No.
7. Is a registrant required to prove that he/she has liability insurance?
Yes (NAIC Number, Policy Number and VIN)
8. Is it necessary for the license plate issuing official to inspect the vehicle?
Under Alabama law, if the vehicle is being titled for the first time in Alabama or if a non-titled vehicle is being registered for the first time in a new owner's name, an inspection of the vehicle identification number is required. Thus, it would be necessary for the vehicle to be taken to the county office in order to make application for certificate of title and for the vehicle to be registered. Utility trailers are exempt from physical inspections.
9. How does one obtain a personalized license plate?
One completes an application with the Houston County Motor Vehichle Division. The office will make inquiry to the State Motor Vehicle Division to verify if the requested letters and/or numbers are available for issuance. If so, the issuing official will collect the appropriate registration fee, issue a registration receipt, a sixty-day temporary license plate, and the month and year decal to be placed on the new license plate. The license plate will be shipped from the manufacturing facility to the registrant (usually 60 days). A search engine for personalized messages is provided by the the Alabama Department of Revenue see Reservation for Personalized License Plate.
10. What is the fee for a personalized plate?
The registrant is subject to payment of the standard registration fees based on the type vehicle, plus an additional fee. The additional fee for a standard personalized license plate or for a personalized motorcycle license plate or most distinctive license plates is $50 each time the tag is renewed.
11. How does one obtain a disability parking credentials?
In order to obtain the disability access license plates, the vehicle (or vehicles) must be fully or partially owned by the person with the disability. There is no limit on the number of license plates that may be obtained. Anyone obtaining the disability access license plate may obtain one placard; anyone who does not obtain the license plate may qualify for two placards. One temporary placard is available upon certification by the physician, using the application form, that the disability meets the federal criteria and is temporary. The maximum length of time for a temporary parking placard under federal law is six months. As of January 2022, physician recertification is not required for persons with long-term disabilities, instead these individuals may self-certify.
12. Am I required to surrender to the license plate upon Revocation of the Registration?
Yes. If the vehicle was in exempt (stored, inoperable, or other unused) status the registrant should visit their local licensing official to surrender the license plate within thirty days of the MLI verification notice.
Failure to surrender the license plate within 30 calendar days of the MLI verification Notice will result in suspension of their vehicle registration.
Failure to surrender the license plate or completion of the "Request for Registration Revocation" form (MV32-7A-5) within 30 days of the MLI verification notice will result in a registration suspension. However, if the registrant was unable to surrender the plate within 30 days due to any of the reasons listed on MV Form 32-7A-11 (on DOR website), the registrant may qualify for a "good cause" extension. The form should be completed (along with necessary documentation) and submitted to their local licensing official within 30 calendar days from the date that the "good cause" event ended. If the plate and/or a completed form MV32-7A-5 was not submitted to the local licensing official within 30 days of the MLI verification notice and if the registrant does not qualify for any of the good cause reasons listed on MV32-7A-11, reinstatement fees ($200 for first suspension; $400 for second and subsequent suspension) and evidence of current Alabama liability insurance coverage must be provided to their local licensing official to remove the registration suspension.
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