Eligibility for Connecticut License Plates
New residents have 90 days after establishing residency in Connecticut to transfer their vehicle registration. The same 90-day period applies to vehicles purchased out of state, according to the Connecticut DMV registration transfer guide.
- Residency: Connecticut does not require residency to register a vehicle here, but the 90-day transfer period applies after establishing residency. New residents who registered their vehicle in another state for at least 30 days before moving are exempt from Connecticut sales tax on that vehicle.
- Vehicle: Passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, RVs, and ATVs are all classes that can be registered. Vehicles with rebuilt or branded titles from other states must undergo a VIN inspection. Titles are required for vehicles newer than 20 model years; older vehicles are registered with proof of ownership only.
- Applicant: Each owner listed on the registration must present an acceptable form of identification (Connecticut or out-of-state driver’s license, US passport, or military ID). ATVs cannot be registered to individuals under 16 years old.
- License Plate Categories: Standard passenger plates require one front and one rear, according to C.G.S. § 14-18. Military and veteran plates (veteran style with flag, disabled veterans, Gold Star families, Pearl Harbor survivors of 1941, Purple Heart Order) require form M-46 or M-22 and DD-214. Vanity plates are available on most registration types.
How to Get a License Plate in Connecticut?
The initial registration must be done in person, by appointment, at a DMV hub or branch. Walk-in service is not available at most locations.
- Bring a completed Application for Registration and Title (form H-13B), manufacturer’s certificate of origin (new vehicle) or properly assigned title (used vehicle), bill of sale, and proof of insurance.
- Vehicles between model years 2002 and the current year, older than four model years, must pass an emissions test at a certified Connecticut Emissions Testing Center before registration. The test fee is $20.
- Pay the registration fee, title fee, administrative fee, sales tax (6.35% or 7.75% for vehicles valued over $50,000), and applicable surcharges at the DMV counter. Outstanding municipal property tax or unpaid parking tickets will block the transaction.
- License plates and a registration certificate are issued at the office. Two plates are sent with most passenger registrations.
Renewals occur every two years. The DMV sends a renewal notice 45 days before expiration. Fees in the next section apply to each biennial cycle.
How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Connecticut?
Connecticut adds several items to each registration. The base fee of $120 for a passenger car is just the start; administrative, environmental, and plate fees raise the total over two years.
- Passenger cars, SUVs, and vans pay $120 (biennial registration) plus $5 for the plate, $25 for the title, $10 administrative fee, $15 for the Clean Air Act, and $15 for Passport to the Parks. A greenhouse gas emissions fee of $15 applies if the vehicle has a certificate of origin, and an emissions exemption fee of $40 applies to vehicles four model years old or newer. A lien recording adds $10.
- Motorcycles: $63 for registration, $5 for the plate, $25 for the title, $10 administrative, $15 for the Clean Air Act, $15 for Passport to the Parks, according to the Connecticut DMV fee schedule.
- Regular trailers pay $28.50 for registration plus $5 for the plate and $10 administrative. A title fee of $25 applies only if the trailer’s GVWR exceeds 3,000 pounds.
- Vanity plates on a standard background cost $94 at first order; on a special background, $154. A $15 surcharge applies at each renewal for vanity plates. Veteran plates in flag style cost $27.50 (off the shelf or remake) or $96.50 (vanity configuration).
- Late renewal incurs a $10 fee starting on the sixth day after expiration. Municipal property tax varies by town and is assessed at 70% of average retail value; delinquencies block all DMV transactions.
Can I Get a License Plate Online in Connecticut?
Online service covers renewals but not initial registration. The DMV AutoRenew portal processes most vehicle types except for ambulance, factory, hearse, and vanpool registrations. Vanity and special plates can be ordered online through the DMV special plates portal. Both accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
Initial plates require an in-person visit at one of the Connecticut DMV offices (Danbury, Hamden, Norwalk, Old Saybrook, Waterbury, Wethersfield, and others) or a branch. AAA Express offices handle only license and ID services, not vehicle registration. The full office directory includes hours of operation and services available by location.
Mail-in renewal is also available. Send the bottom portion of your renewal notice with payment to:
- Department of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 150456, Hartford, CT 06115-0456.
If your renewal qualifies for AutoRenew, it is the fastest channel; the office handles initial plates and any transactions the portal blocks.