Yes. State law requires all applicants to use their legal name when making an application for certificate of title and registration to a motor vehicle. Your legal name can be verified by providing one of the following:
• A valid state-issued driver’s license
• Non-driver Identification card
• Other documentary evidence that confirms the true legal identity of the owner

• SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle must be completed in full and signed by the owner.
• Out-of-state title must be submitted with completed application. If vehicle is financed we must have a completed application form, with name and mailing address of lienholder, loan account number, and copy of the out of state registration.
• If your vehicle is titled with Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, or any Canadian Province excise tax will be due on the current market value of the vehicle. Any motor vehicle excise, use, or sales tax paid at the time of purchase will be credited.
• License fees are based on the year and weight of the vehicle.
• Title transfer fee is $5.
• Abandoned Disposal fee is $1.50.

Temporary license may be purchased by non-residents for a period of 6 or 12 months and must be displayed on the vehicle rear windshield. Permits are available online from the North Dakota Highway Patrol, or any Motor Vehicle Division office.

Register online at www.dot.nd.gov, click on 'Licensing & Registration' under Public, more public', under 'Motor Vehicle Services' click on Motor Vehicle Non-Resident Temporary Registration.

The registered owner or legal owner must complete SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle with the vehicle information. A reason for the duplicate must be stated on the application. The duplicate title will be mailed to the lien holder of record, or the registered owner. If the motor vehicle records show a lien, the title must be mailed to the lien holder unless a SFN 2876 Release of Lien by Legal Owner is provided. Duplicate title fee is $5.

• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by the registered owner with # 7 tax exemption marked and new lienholder information, if applicable.
• Odometer disclosures are required when changes are made on vehicles that are less than ten (10) years old.
• Title transfer fee is $5.

• Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title) must be signed and dated with owner(s) name as shown on the front of the title. Complete legal name and address of “buyer(s)” as it is to appear on the new title. Odometer information required on all motor vehicles less than ten (10) years old, with signature of “buyer(s)” and date.
• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by the new “buyer(s)” with the tax exemption and lienholder information, if applicable.
• Title transfer fee is $5.

An odometer disclosure is required on all passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, trucks with a shipping or unladed weight of less than 2.5 tons, motor homes, and motorcycles that are less than ten years old.

Year of Purchase: Year Model
2009: 2000 & Newer
2010: 2001 & Newer
2011: 2002 & Newer
2012: 2003 & Newer
2013: 2004 & Newer

Any car, pickup, truck, and motorcycle less than 9 years old with a North Dakota title must have SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement completed by the seller when the vehicle is transferred.

Year of Purchase / Year Model
2009 / 2002 & Newer
2010 / 2003 & Newer
2011 / 2004 & Newer
2012 / 2005 & Newer
2013 / 2006 & Newer

All vehicles with a current registration tag used on any public street, road, highway or off-highway are required to have a liability insurance policy in effect.

No. The minimum required insurance must be issued through a North Dakota agent with an insurance company licensed to transact business in the state of North Dakota. Ask your agent to transfer your current insurance to North Dakota when you register a vehicle in North Dakota. This is required to assure that your policy is properly rated due to the different rate system amongst the states

The Motor Vehicle Division uses a system of staggered registration for cars, house cars, and pickups (39-04-14.1 NDCC). You expiration month is based on the date of sale or the date first used on ND Highways.

• SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle must be completed in full and signed by the owner.
• Out-of-state title must be submitted with completed application. If vehicle is financed we must have a completed application form, with name and mailing address of lienholder, loan account number, and copy of the out of state registration.
• If vehicle is a brand new vehicle we will need the Certificate of Origin completed and signed by seller and buyer with the odometer disclosure completed, 5% excise tax will be due on the purchase price.
• If your vehicle is titled with Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, or any Canadian Province excise tax will be due on the current market value of the vehicle. Any motor vehicle excise, use, or sales tax paid at the time of purchase will be credited with proof of taxes paid.
• License fees are based on the year and weight of the vehicle.
• Title transfer fee is $5.
• Abandoned Disposal Fee is $1.50.

• SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle must be completed in full and signed by the owner.
• Out-of-state title (if titled) or Certificate of Origin must be submitted with completed application.
• If your vehicle is titled with Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, any Canadian Province, Certificate of Origin, or military registration certificate excise tax will be due on the current market value of the vehicle. Any motor vehicle excise, use, or sales tax paid at the time of purchase will be credited with proof of taxes paid.
• License fees are based on the year and weight of the vehicle.
• Title transfer fee is $5.
• Abandoned Disposal Fee is $1.50.

• SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle must be completed in full and signed by the owner.
• SFN 17147 Military Claim for Tax Exemption must be completed in full, signed by the qualified individual, and notarized.
• Out-of-state title or Manufactures Certificate of Origin must be submitted with completed application.
• License fees are based on the year and weight of the vehicle.
• Title transfer fee is $5.
• Abandoned Disposal Fee is $1.50.

• SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle must be completed in full and signed by the owner.
• A note is required from the registered owner stating that they were deployed overseas, the vehicle was in storage, and the date the registered owner has returned to North Dakota.
• License fees will be prorated from the date of return to the anniversary month assigned to that vehicle.

The registered owner must display two (2) license plates. The plates must be displayed horizontally and in an upright position, one in the front and one on the rear of the vehicle, each securely fastened. The bottom of each license plate must be at a height of not less than twelve (12) inches (30.48 centimeter) above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. (39-04-11 NDCC)

Yes. Vehicle owners must remove the license plate(s) from their vehicle whenever the vehicle is sold or transferred. The vehicle will be considered unlicensed, and subject to a full year license fee when re-titled.

Antique (Pioneer) License Plates
• Any motor vehicle (car, truck, or motorcycle) that is 40 years old or older may be licensed as an antique vehicle.
• Vehicles registered as an Antique may not be used in the routine functions of a business or farming operations.
• License plate(s) from the year of manufacture of the vehicle or in the case of military vehicles, military identification numbers may be displayed in lieu of the antique plate. The license plate(s) or military identification numbers must be clean, legible and approved by the division for display. The license number or military identification numbers must be greater than 10,000.
• There is a onetime $10 license fee for antique plate(s) or a onetime fee of $100 is due if requesting personalized antique plates. A maximum of seven (7) characters (to include spaces) are allowed on these plates.

Collector Plates
• Any motor vehicle (car or truck) that is 25 years old or older may be licensed as a collector vehicle.
• When registering a collector vehicle the applicant shall file a SFN16783 Affidavit of Use for A Collector Motor Vehicle with the motor vehicle division. The affidavit states the vehicle will be operated solely as a collector item and not for general transportation purposes.
• SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle must be completed, signed, and returned with a completed Affidavit of Use for A Collector Motor Vehicle along with the appropriate fee; a onetime fee of $60 or a onetime fee of $160 if requesting a personalized plate with a maximum of seven (7) characters (to include spaces).
• License plate(s) from the year of manufacture of the vehicle may be displayed in lieu of the collector plates. The license plate(s) must be clean, legible and approved by the division for display. The number plates from the year of manufacture may not be used in lieu of distinctive number plates when it would create a duplication of a number in the recordkeeping system of the division.

Yes. ALL trailers, semi-trailers, and farm trailers are required to be titled and licensed except:
• Trailers with a gross weight of 1,500 pounds or less and not for hire or commercial use.
• Trailers used to haul recreational vehicles such as a motorcycle not qualified for registration, ATVs, snowmobiles, boats, and personal watercraft. Trailers used to haul recreational vehicles used in competitive events ARE required to be titled and licensed in spite of the weight.
• Single-axle two-wheel car dollies.
• Pup trailers
• Trailers pulled behind motorcycles provided they do not contain sleeping quarters.
• Trailers over the legal width (i.e. combine trailer). Electronic Permits Registration

Owners of all trucks with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, must file each year with the Internal Revenue Service an IRS Form 2290. A 2290 stamped by the IRS is required at the time of renewal. The Motor Vehicle Division is not responsible for the collection of the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. Contact the Internal Revenue Service for the forms and any further questions. Telephone 1-800-829-1040

Any qualified individual who completes the application and obtains certification by a qualified physician for one or more of the following reasons:
• Applicant uses portable oxygen; or
• Applicant has an orthopedic, neurological, or other medical condition that makes it impossible to walk 200 feet without assistance or rest; or
• Applicant is restricted by cardiac, pulmonary, or vascular disease from walking 200 feet without rest; or
• Applicant has a forced expiratory volume of less than one liter for one second or an arterial oxygen tension of less than 60 millimeter of mercury on room air while at rest and is classified III or IV by standards for cardiac disease set by the American Heart Association.

An out-of-state resident who purchases a vehicle in our state can obtain a Drive Out permit from the North Dakota Highway Patrol or any Motor Vehicle Division office. The permit is valid for 30 days from date of issue, must be displayed in the window of the vehicle, and allows the individual to drive the vehicle from our state to their home of record state. The fee is $5.00.

1. Passenger, pickups, vans, and trucks not exceeding 20,000 lbs are furnished a permit upon payment of the following fees: $60 for 6 months or $120 for 12 months, plus a $10 permit fee.

2. Trucks or combinations of trucks and trailers requiring a registered gross weight of 22,000 lbs or greater are furnished a permit upon payment of the following fees, plus a $10 permit fee:
20,001 - 42,000: $220 (6 month fee), $440 (12 month fee).
42,001 - 62,000: $380 (6 month fee), $760 (12 month fee).
62,001 - 82,000: $530 (6 month fee), $1,060 (12 month fee).
82,001 - 105,500: $900 (6 month fee), $1,800 (12 month fee).

3. Motorcycles are furnished a permit upon payment of $30 for 6 months, or $60 for 12 months, plus a $10 permit fee.

4. Out-of-state snowmobiles may be registered online through Parks & Rec for $15. Go to Register Snowmobile.

If you have recently purchased a vehicle in another state, and taxes were paid to that state, we would require proof of tax paid to exempt you from North Dakota excise tax. If the vehicle was purchased outside of the United States there is no tax reciprocity. Taxes would be due on the purchase price (based on exchange) at a rate of 5%.

• Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title) must be signed and dated by owner(s) as shown on the front of the title. Legal name and address of new owner (buyer) must be typed or printed legibly. Odometer information required on all motor vehicles less than ten (10) years old, with buyer’s signature, printed name, and date.
• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by new owner with tax exemption and lienholder information, if applicable.
• If vehicle is less than nine (9) years old SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement must be completed by the seller.
• Title transfer fee is $5.

• Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title) must be signed and dated by owner(s) as shown on the front of the title. Legal name and address how new title is to read as buyer. Odometer information required on all motor vehicles less than ten (10) years old, with buyer’s signature, printed name, and date.
• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by new owner with tax exemption and lienholder information, if applicable.
• Title transfer fee is $5.

• Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title) must be signed and dated by Personal Representative for the deceased as shown on the front of the title. Complete legal name and address how new title is to read as buyer. Odometer information required on all motor vehicles less than ten (10) years old, with buyer’s signature, printed name, and date.
• We must have a copy of the Personal Representative papers to allow that individual to sign for the deceased.
• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by new owner with tax exemption and lienholder information, if applicable. However, PURCHASES from an estate are subject to tax.
• If vehicle is less than nine (9) years old SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement must be completed by the seller.
• Title transfer fee is $5.

• If the North Dakota title is in both names with the “or” conjunction the individual that is awarded the vehicle must complete Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title). If the North Dakota title is in only one name, or in two names with the “and” conjunction and that individual did not sign off the title as seller, a copy of the divorce decree is required to complete this transfer.
• Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title) must be signed and dated by owner as shown on face of title, legal name and address of individual awarded the vehicle must be typed or printed legibly, odometer information required on all motor vehicles less than ten (10) years old, with buyer’s signature, printed name and date.
• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by new owner with tax exemption and lienholder information, if applicable.
• If vehicle is less than nine (9) years old SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement must be completed by the seller.
• Title transfer fee is $5.

• Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title) must be signed and dated by owner(s) as shown on the front of the title. Legal name and address of new owner (buyer) must be typed or printed legibly. Odometer information required on all motor vehicles less than ten (10) years old, with buyer’s signature, printed name, and date.
• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by new owner with tax exemption, if lease was started prior to July 1, 2001, and lienholder information, if applicable.
• If lease was started after July 1, 2001, 5% taxes are due on the lease buyout amount. The buyout amount must be shown in this section along with the signature of the buyer.
• If vehicle is less than nine (9) years old SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement must be completed by the seller.
• Title transfer fee is $5.

• If you have a full North Dakota title with last transfer to the dealership we will require the Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) completed with tax exemption # 11 or # 12 and signature by agent for dealership.
• If you have a full out-of-state title with the last transfer assigned to the dealership, we will require an SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle completed in full, signed by an agent for the dealership, and submitted with the title fee of $5.
• If vehicle is less than nine (9) years old SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement must be completed by the seller.

• The sale of a motor vehicle to an American Indian is not subject to motor vehicle excise tax when the purchase occurs on the Indian reservation or when the vehicle is DELIVERED to the Indian reservation on which the American Indian is an enrolled member.
• The sale of a motor vehicle at any location within this state to an American Indian who resides within the boundaries of any reservation in this state and who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian tribe.
• There is NO exception in the Motor Vehicle excise tax law for an American Indian leasing a motor vehicle. All motor vehicles leased to an American Indian are subject to motor vehicle excise tax. Leased motor vehicles are owned and titled in the name of the leasing company and not the American Indian.
• SFN 18085 Tribal Claim for Tax Exemption must be completed in full and signed.

A signed letter from The Department of Veteran Affairs office certifying the applicant is 100 percent service related disabled, or unemployability, or attesting eligibility under Public Law 663 of the 79th Congress.

• You will be required to obtain an identification number, VIN number, which are available from any motor vehicle location or North Dakota Highway Patrol.
• The identification number, VIN number must be stamped in a designated place verified by the North Dakota Highway Patrol with SFN 2486 Certificate of Vehicle Inspection completed. Contact your local highway patrol office to make an appointment for this inspection.
• SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle must be completed in full and signed by the owner.
• SFN 2486 Certificate of Vehicle Inspection completed by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
• License fees due.
• Title transfer fee $5

• Title transfers must be completed within 180 days from the effective date formed or incorporated. Title transfers submitted after the 180 days would be taxable on the fair market value of the vehicle. Vehicles transferred back to previous owner are exempt from tax.

• Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title) must be signed and dated by owner(s) as shown on the front of the title. Legal name and address of new owner (partnership or corporation) must be typed or printed legibly. Odometer information required on all motor vehicles less than ten (10) years old, with buyer's signature, printed name, and date.

• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by new owner with tax exemption and lienholder information, if applicable and date formed or incorporated.

• If vehicle is less than nine (9) years old SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement must be completed by the seller.
• Title transfer fee $5.

If you have moved out of state there is no refund on the unused portion of registration paid to North Dakota.

If you have moved out of state and have titled and licensed your vehicle in that state you may disregard and destroy the renewal notice received from our office.

The tax laws impose an excise tax at the rate of 5% on all vehicles purchased either in or outside the State of North Dakota. The tax is payable to the Motor Vehicle Division at the time title application for the vehicle is made. The tax is computed on the full purchase price less any trade-allowance. The vehicle traded in must be identified by year, make, and vehicle identification number. Manufacture rebates are not taxable in North Dakota.

• Title transfers must be completed within 180 days from the effective date of the dissolution of the partnership or corporation. Title transfers submitted after the 180 days would be taxable on the fair market value of the vehicle.
• Part 1 (Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title) must be signed and dated by owner(s) as shown on the front of the title. Legal name and address of new owner (buyer) must be typed or printed legibly. Odometer information required on all motor vehicles less than ten (10) years old, with buyer’s signature, printed name, and date.
• Part 3 (Purchaser’s Certification and Application) must be completed and signed by new owner with tax exemption and lienholder information, if applicable and date of dissolution.
• If vehicle is less than nine (9) years old SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement must be completed by the seller.
• Title transfer fee $5.

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