After purchasing a vehicle from a licensed dealer, the dealer may apply for a certificate of title, certificate of registration, and license plate for you. You won’t be able to get the license plate and registration until you get the vehicle insured, though, so don’t dawdle.

If you purchase a vehicle from an individual, you must obtain the title from the individual and then apply for a certificate of title in your own name through the DMV. You can apply for your title, registration, and license plate at the same time, but again, you’ll need to get the car insured.

Either way, you’re going to need a title that is properly assigned to you. Keep it in a safe place (i.e. NOT in the car), as it’s pretty important.

If you are a D.C. resident, D.C. employee, or parent whose children are going to school in D.C., then your motor vehicle must have Washington, D.C., registration and license plates unless you have a Reciprocity Permit and proper registration from your home state. To do this, head to your local DMV office so you can pay the permit fee and obtain a registration permit. Make sure you bring these fancy documents with you:

1. Proof of residency. Like, I don’t know, your new driver license?
2. Proof of vehicle ownership. Remember how important that certificate of title is?
3. Proof of ID.
4. Proof of insurance.
5. Proof of inspection.
6. Proof of Life. 
7. Money for the fees.

You’ll be issued license plates, and both must be displayed if you receive two. If you don’t like the numbers on them, feel free to head over to the DMV and upgrade those suckers to personalized vanity plates. The license plate of the Shmoop company car reads “SHMOOP!” It took us a long time to come up with that.

License plates and registration renewal can only be done online or through the mail, and is the responsibility of the registeree. Yes, we just made up that word. Make sure your insurance hasn’t lapsed, or else you will NOT be able to reregister your vehicle.