DMV – The Department of Motor Vehicles

The Department of Motor Vehicles is usually a state-level department that handles vehicle registration, drivers licensing and vehicle titles, as well as several other related tasks. Note that while there are departments in each of the 50 states, they may not all provide the same roles. A notable exception is Hawaii, where counties provide most of these functions. Canada operates in a similar fashion, where vehicle registration and licensing is covered by each of the provinces as well as the territories.

Functions of State Department of Motor Vehicles

While the motor vehicle licensing and registration in a state may fall under any number of state agencies, they all perform many of the same roles. Specifically, licenses and driving tests occur at the state’s equivalent of the Department of Motor Vehicles, as they do in Canada.

In addition, motor vehicles can be registered for use in a state, as well as changing vehicle ownership. Another common feature is the suspension of licenses due to drunk driving convictions, or even just failure to submit to a breathalyzer test in some states. In Canada, these are roughly equivalent.

Major Differences: Licensing versus Registrations

One of the most common distinctions among the states with Department of Motor Vehicles are those that separate licensing and certification of drivers from registering vehicles. Here, the Department of Public Safety (usually including the Highway Patrol or its equivalent) also tests new drivers and performs renewals. Examples of states where this division occurs include Georgia, Kentucky, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

Requirements for Driver Certification and Vehicle Registration

Driver certification and licensing requirements vary by both state and province. But most drivers will need to provide evidence of completing driver’s education, either through a school or with a prior driver license. They also need to provide proof of residency in the state or province, as well as the right to live in the country legally.

For registration, the driver generally needs to provide proof of ownership via a title, as well as proof of liability insurance. In some cases, the vehicle may also need to be inspected or tested. For the case of a title transfer, the recipient must provide the original title as well as a proof of sale indicating that they are the new owner of the vehicle.

Many of these tasks are designed to be simplified for those transferring titles, registrations and licenses from out-of-state. And many of these activities may also be completed at private locations including car dealerships or insurance agents.