Cars

Idaho Vehicle Registration

Idaho Vehicle Registration: What You Need to Know

Are you a new resident in Idaho or do you need to register your vehicle for the first time? Here is everything you need to know about Idaho vehicle registration.

Documentation Required

To register your vehicle in Idaho, you’ll need to provide the following documents:

– Title: If you own your vehicle, you’ll need to provide the title or a copy of the title.

– Proof of insurance: You’ll need to provide proof of insurance that meets Idaho’s minimum requirements.

– Identification: Bring a valid driver’s license or state ID card.

– Payment: Bring payment for the registration fees and any applicable taxes.

Registration Fees

The cost of registering your vehicle in Idaho varies based on the type of vehicle you have, the year it was made, and where you live. Here are some common fees you can expect:

– Passenger vehicles: $35

– Motorcycles: $25

– Heavy vehicles: Fees vary based on weight

– Late fee: $20

Renewing Your Registration

You’ll need to renew your registration each year. Idaho’s vehicle registration expires on the last day of the month in which you registered your vehicle. You can renew your registration online, in person, or by mail.

In-Person: Go to your local DMV office and bring your registration renewal notice, proof of insurance, and payment.

Online: You can renew your registration online through the Idaho DMV website. You’ll need your license plate number, insurance information, and a credit or debit card to complete the transaction.

By Mail: You can also renew your registration by mail. Complete the renewal form and include a check or money order for the fees. Send the form and payment to your local DMV office.

Out-of-State Registration

If you plan to be in Idaho for more than 90 days, you’ll need to register your vehicle with the Idaho DMV. If you have a valid out-of-state registration, you’ll need to provide proof of ownership, insurance, and payment of the registration fees.

Conclusion

Registering your vehicle in Idaho is a simple process, and the fees are reasonable. Be sure to bring the required documents, and renew your registration each year to avoid any late fees. Safe travels!

There are many different scenarios where you will need to register your motor vehicle in your name, for an Idaho vehicle registration including:

• After establishing Idaho residency

• Buying a used car from a private party (not a dealer)

• Transferring ownership to of a vehicle from family, inheritance, or as a gift

After purchasing a vehicle within the state lines of Idaho, you have thirty (30) days to register that vehicle. If you delay your Idaho vehicle registration beyond this deadline, you will be charged an additional $20 late fee for your tardiness. If you have acquired the motor vehicle in a different state, the thirty (30) days deadline for Idaho vehicle registration begins the very first day that you bring the vehicle from another state into Idaho. If you are a brand new resident of Idaho, you will be given ninety (90) days to register your vehicle through the Division of Motor Vehicles. It is important to note that you must title your vehicle before attempting to register it.

Getting Insurance before Your Idaho Vehicle Registration

Before you can register your motor vehicle, you are required by Idaho vehicle registration laws to make sure that your vehicle has liability insurance. The provider of the insurance must be authorized to provide insurance within that state.

Preparing Paperwork for Your Idaho Vehicle Registration

If you are purchasing a motor vehicle through a dealership, the dealer will complete the title application for your vehicle. You will then have to take this title application your local county assessor’s office in order to complete your ID vehicle registration. Remember, you must first title your vehicle before you can complete your ID registration.

If you have just very recently relocated your residency to Idaho or if you have just bought a used vehicle from a private party, you need to complete the following steps for your ID vehicle registration:

• Have the title of the vehicle signed-over to you.

• Fill out and complete the title application.

• Pay any applicable ID registration fees.

Calculate Fees for an Idaho Vehicle Registration

There are many different variables involved in figuring out your exact ID registration fees, including the specific county of residence and the age of your motor vehicle.

First-Time Fees for ID Vehicle Registration

You will most likely see some additional charges when you register your vehicle for the very first time. Depending on the situation, you may be charged for new license plates, postage for mailing the new license plates or a Vehicle Identification Number inspection.

Once you have your documents in order and prepared, you can bring them all to your local county assessor’s office in order to complete your ID registration for your vehicle. While there, you will also need to order license plates for your motor vehicle. You can choose from a standard plate which costs $25, or you can opt for a specialty plate or a vanity plate. You will then have to stick your ID registration stickers on your license plate, which confirms that you are legally registered in the state of Idaho. You must affix the decals to your rear plate.

DMV Registration Renewal

You need to renew your motor vehicle’s registration every year in accordance with Idaho law through the DMV registration renewal process. Additionally, you must also keep your car insurance at all times. You will receive a DMV registration renewal notice in the mail that lets you know. Unlike many other states, there are no late registration fees for Georgia. You can complete your DMV registration renew by mail, in person, or online.

Illinois Vehicle Registration

Illinois Vehicle Registration: Everything You Need to Know

In Illinois, vehicle registration is an essential task that all vehicle owners must complete. The process involves submitting a set of documents to the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to receive a license plate and registration sticker for your vehicle. In this article, we will guide you through the Illinois vehicle registration process and answer all your questions.

Car Registration Documentation Requirements

To register your vehicle, you will need to provide the following documents:

– A completed Vehicle Registration Application (Form VSD 190) – more details below on how to fill it out and supporting documentation
– A title certificate or proof of ownership
– Proof of Illinois auto insurance
– Payment for registration fees and taxes

If you purchased your vehicle from a dealer, they will usually handle the registration process for you. In that case, you may only be required to provide proof of insurance.

Registration Fees and Taxes

Illinois vehicle registration fees vary depending on factors such as vehicle type, weight, and age. Generally, passenger cars that are less than three years old require a $151 registration fee, while vehicles that are older than three years are charged $101.

In addition, you will need to pay an annual vehicle tax based on the age and value of your vehicle. If you have recently moved to Illinois, you may be required to pay a higher tax rate if your vehicle was not previously registered in Illinois.

Non-Resident Vehicle Registration

If you are a non-resident of Illinois but own a vehicle that is housed in the state, you may still be required to register your vehicle with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. This is typically the case if you reside in another state but work in Illinois or if you are a student attending school in Illinois.

To register your vehicle as a non-resident, you will need to provide the following documents:

– A completed Non-Resident Vehicle Registration Application (Form RUT-50) – more details below on how to fill it out and supporting documentation
– Proof of ownership or a lease agreement
– Evidence of insurance
– Payment of registration fees and taxes

Renewing Your Registration

Illinois vehicle registrations are typically valid for one year. Before the expiration date, you will receive a renewal notice from the Secretary of State’s Office. You can renew your registration online, by mail, or in person at a Secretary of State facility.

Late registration renewal fees are charged at a rate of $20 per month, up to a maximum of $100.

Replacing Lost or Stolen License Plates

If you lose your license plates or they are stolen, you will need to report the loss to the police and obtain a police report. You can then apply for a new set of plates by submitting a License Plate Replacement Application (Form VSD 404) to the Secretary of State’s Office. The replacement fee is $29 for a set of plates.

Form VSD 190

Form VSD190 is an essential document for individuals looking to transfer ownership of a vehicle in the United Kingdom. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to fill out Form VSD190 and the supporting documents required during the process.

What is Form VSD190?

Form VSD190 is a legal document that serves as evidence of the transfer of vehicle ownership. It is issued and processed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which is responsible for maintaining a database of all vehicles in the UK. The form has to be completed and submitted by the seller of the vehicle when transferring ownership to the buyer.

How to fill out Form VSD190

Filling out Form VSD190 is a straightforward process that requires careful attention to details. Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1: Obtain a copy of Form VSD190

The first step is to obtain a copy of Form VSD190. The form is available for download on the DVLA website, and it can be printed and filled out manually or filled out online. It is essential to ensure that the latest version of the form is used to avoid any complications during the process.

Step 2: Provide Details of the Vehicle

The next step is to provide details of the vehicle being transferred, such as the registration number, make, model, and color. These details can be found on the vehicle registration certificate (V5C), commonly known as a logbook. If the seller has lost the V5C, they can apply for a new one from the DVLA.

Step 3: Provide Details of the Seller

The seller is required to provide their full name, address, and contact details. They should ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date to avoid any complications during the process.

Step 4: Provide Details of the Buyer

The buyer’s full name, address, and contact details must be provided. The seller should ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date to avoid any complications during the process.

Step 5: Confirm Transfer Details

The seller should confirm the date of the transfer and whether they sold the vehicle for cash or as a gift. They should also confirm whether they retained the vehicle’s registration number or transferred it to the buyer.

Step 6: Provide Declaration

The seller is required to sign and date the declaration on the form, confirming that the information provided is true and accurate. They should also provide their driving license number and the date it was issued.

Step 7: Submit the Form

Finally, the seller should submit the completed Form VSD190 to the DVLA. It is essential to keep a copy of the form for personal records.

Supporting Documents needed

In addition to Form VSD190, the seller must provide supporting documents to complete the transfer of ownership. Here are the required documents.

1. Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C)

The V5C, commonly known as the logbook, is a vital document that serves as proof of ownership of the vehicle. The seller should provide the V5C to the buyer, who will need it to apply for road tax and insurance.

2. MOT Certificate

The MOT certificate, also known as the test certificate, is mandatory for all vehicles over three years old in the UK. The certificate confirms that the vehicle met the minimum safety and environmental standards during the MOT test.

3. Service History

The service history shows the maintenance records of the vehicle and any repairs or replacements that were done during its life span. The seller should provide the service history to the buyer to give them insight into the condition and history of the vehicle.

4. HPI Report

The HPI report is a document that provides information on the history of a vehicle, including any outstanding finance and insurance claims. The seller should obtain an HPI report and provide it to the buyer to assure them that the vehicle is free from any financial obligations.

Conclusion

Form VSD190 is an essential legal document required to transfer ownership of a vehicle in the United Kingdom. By carefully following the steps provided in this guide, sellers can fill out the form correctly and submit it to the DVLA without any complications. It is also essential to provide the required supporting documents to complete the transfer of ownership successfully. With this information at hand, individuals can be confident when transferring ownership of their vehicle.

FORM RUT-50

Form RUT-50 is a legal document issued by the Illinois Department of Revenue, used to report the sale or transfer of a vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft in the state of Illinois. The Form RUT-50 is required by law for any private party sale or transfer of a vehicle in Illinois. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how to fill out Form RUT-50 and the supporting documents required during the process.

What is Form RUT-50?

The Form RUT-50 is a legal document that the State of Illinois Department of Revenue requires for the registration of a vehicle within Illinois. It is used to transfer ownership of a vehicle or vessel from one person to another and is required by law whenever there is a private party transaction. This form must be completed, signed, and submitted to the Illinois Department of Revenue within 20 days of the sale or transfer of ownership.

The Department of Revenue uses Form RUT-50 to calculate the use tax that is due on the transfer of the vehicle. The use tax is a tax that is levied on the purchaser of the vehicle, and it is based on the purchase price of the vehicle. The RUT-50 Form must be completed by both the seller and the buyer of the vehicle.

How to fill out Form RUT-50

Filling out Form RUT-50 is a straightforward process that requires careful attention to details. Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1: Obtain Form RUT-50 from the Illinois Department of Revenue

The first step is to obtain the Form RUT-50 from the Illinois Department of Revenue. The form is available on the Illinois Department of Revenue website, and it can be completed online or printed for manual completion.

Step 2: Provide Details of the Seller

The seller is required to provide their full name, address, and contact information. They should ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date.

Step 3: Provide Details of the Purchaser

The purchaser should provide their full name, address, and contact information. They should also provide their driver’s license number and the state of issuance.

Step 4: Provide Details of the Vehicle

The next step is to provide the vehicle’s information, including the make, model, year, and vehicle identification number (VIN). It is important to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date to avoid any complications during the process.

Step 5: Provide Details of the Sale or Transfer

The next step is to provide details of the sale or transfer, including the date of the transfer, the purchase price, and the odometer reading at the time of the transfer. It is essential to ensure that the purchase price and the odometer reading are accurate.

Step 6: Provide Declaration

The seller is required to sign and date the declaration on the form, confirming that the information provided is true and accurate. The purchaser also has to sign and date the form, acknowledging that they are liable for the payment of any applicable use tax. The purchaser must also indicate whether they are an Illinois resident, non-resident, or business entity.

Step 7: Submit the Form

Finally, the seller should submit the completed Form RUT-50 to the Illinois Department of Revenue. It is essential to keep a copy of the form for personal records.

Supporting Documents needed

The RUT-50 form requires certain supporting documents to be submitted along with the form. Here are the required documents.

1. Vehicle Certificate of Title

The certificate of title is a crucial document that serves as proof of ownership of the vehicle. The seller should provide the original Certificate of Title to the purchaser, who will need it to transfer the title into their name.

2. Odometer Disclosure Statement

The Odometer Disclosure Statement is required for the transfer of ownership and provides the odometer reading at the time of the sale or transfer. Illinois law requires the seller to provide an accurate odometer reading in the RUT-50. The purchaser should ensure that the odometer reading on the RUT-50 matches the odometer reading on the odometer disclosure statement.

3. Bill of Sale or Purchase Agreement

A bill of sale or purchase agreement is a document that serves as proof of purchase and outlines the terms and conditions of the sale between the seller and the purchaser.

4. Use Tax Payment or Exemption Form

The use tax payment or exemption form is a document that verifies whether the purchaser needs to pay use tax on the vehicle. This form should be submitted to the Illinois Department of Revenue with the Form RUT-50.

Form RUT-50 is an essential legal document required to transfer ownership of a vehicle in the State of Illinois. By carefully following the steps provided in this guide, sellers and purchasers can fill out the form correctly and submit it to the Illinois Department of Revenue without any complications. It is also essential to provide the required supporting documents to complete the transfer of ownership successfully. With this information at hand, individuals can be confident in their ability to sell or purchase a vehicle in the State of Illinois.

Conclusion

Vehicle registration in Illinois can seem like a complicated process, but it is a necessary part of owning a car in the state. By understanding the documentation requirements, fees and taxes, and renewal process, you can ensure that your vehicle remains properly registered and legal to drive.

First-Time Illinois Vehicle Registration

You will need to complete your Illinois vehicle registration for the very first time if you recently:

• Purchased a motor vehicle

• Received a motor vehicle as a gift

• Moved to the state of Illinois from another state

The Illinois vehicle registration process as well as titling process are very closely related to each other. If you become the owner of a motor vehicle, you are required to title and register it within twenty (20) days of the transaction. If you have just moved to the state of Illinois, the state will give you thirty (30) days to title the vehicle and complete your IL vehicle registration.

Purchase Insurance before Illinois Vehicle Registration

Although you do not need to show proof of liability insurance when you first register your motor vehicle (you can just include the needed information on the IL form), you cannot legally drive on Illinois roads without insurance. If you have not fulfilled this requirement, you need to find an insurance company that can provide your vehicle with a policy within Illinois before trying to complete an Illinois vehicle registration.

Prepare the Paperwork for Illinois Vehicle Registration

If you are purchasing your vehicle from a dealership, the dealer usually will handle the Illinois vehicle registration and titling application for you. If you do not get your vehicle from a dealership and you need to complete the Illinois vehicle registration process yourself, you will need the following documents:

• A filled out Form RUT-50 (private party purchase)

• A filled out Form VSD-190 Application for Vehicle Title and Registration

• A properly assigned title

• A filled out Tax Form RUT-50 (private party purchase) or Form RUT-25 (dealer purchase)

If you are registering a vehicle from out-of-state with an existing lease or lien, there are additional requirements necessary.

Fees for Illinois Vehicle Registration

Your very first-time IL vehicle registration, with standard license plates, will cost $99. There are additional feels if you wish to purchase Personalized or specialty license plates.

Completing your Illinois Vehicle Registration

In order to complete your Illinois vehicle registration, you will need to go to a Secretary of State Office and bring along all necessary documents as well as proper payment. Alternatively, you may mail these two items instead to the following address
Secretary of State

Vehicle Services Department

501 S. Second St., Room 014

Springfield, IL 62756

License Plates

When you process your Illinois vehicle registration in person and choose to get standard license plates, the Secretary of State Office will then issue you your new Illinois license plates on the spot as a part of your IL registration. IF you have chosen personalized or customized plates, you will receive those plates from the Secretary of State through the mail as a part of your IL registration.

Delaware License Plates

Delaware license plates are put on your vehicle once you registered it with the Division of Motor Vehicles. Commonly known as tags, you will mount the plate on the back of your vehicle. The Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles provides tags and decals for your motor vehicle after you complete the registration process. These tags expire either on the last day or the 15th day of the given month. Your decal will show the year and month of your license plate expiration. These decals should be placed on the lower right corner of your Delaware license place.

Customized Delaware License Plates

You can purchase vanity plates, which are Delaware license plates that have customized license plate numbers. The fee for a vanity Delaware license plate is $40 each year in addition to the regular annual registration fee for a motor vehicle. The customized Delaware license plates can be ordered at any Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles facility. If you want to search to see if your desired license plate number is available, you can check the availability online using the Vanity Plate Search on the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles’ website.

The issuance of customized Delaware license plates is subject to certain rules. Your plate must be approved b the Division of Motor Vehicles. Any license plates deemed offensive or vulgar in nature will be denied, or recalled if it is initially overlooked.

Vanity license plates must display at least a single letter and can also include a combination of letters and numbers that does not exceed seven characters in length. Motorcycle vanity license plates are restricted to five characters in length. If the vanity plate includes numerals, they will be displayed to the right of the letters. Ampersands, spaces, and hyphens are allowed and will count as a letter.

A Guide to How to Buy a Car

Register Your New Car After The Purchase: State Guide

In the United States, there are different registration processes for vehicles in each state. There are certain general guidelines which are common to all states. First, the title of a car is usually required to register a vehicle. To ensure the safety of the vehicle, it is necessary to provide proof of insurance. After obtaining all necessary documentation, owners can fill out the application for registration and pay registration fees. These vary from one state to another.

The vehicle registration fee is based in most states on weight, age and usage of the car. The dealership will usually provide a temporary permit for new vehicles until their permanent registration is received. The registration of used vehicles usually begins with the ownership transfer.

Some states may require additional requirements, such as state inspections and emissions tests before a vehicle can be registered. It is crucial to know the requirements of registering a vehicle in each state so owners are able to comply with all state laws.

Owners must renew vehicle registration annually to avoid penalties and late fees. The renewal of vehicle registration usually requires the owner to provide proof of insurance and pay the renewal fee, as well as complete any inspections required.

The vehicle registration processes in the United States vary from one state to another. By following some general guidelines, such as providing proofs of ownership and insurance, completing the application for registration, and paying registration fees, car owners can make sure that their registrations and renewals go smoothly. It is important to be familiar with any state-specific requirements.

California Vehicle Registration

California’s vehicle registration procedure varies according to the vehicle type, such as a brand new or used vehicle. The process begins at the dealer, when the purchaser is given a temporary registration to use until their permanent registration arrives. Used vehicles require the purchaser to go through a transfer-of-ownership process. Registration fees depend on the age and condition of the car.

Texas Car Registration

The Department of Motor Vehicles in Texas is responsible for vehicle registration. State law requires that vehicle owners register and renew registrations annually. Registration fees vary depending on vehicle weight and are payable online, by mail or at the DMV.

Florida Vehicle Registration

For a Florida registration, you will need the title of the car, a proof of Florida Insurance, and the completed application. Before a car can be registered, the state requires that it’s VIN (vehicle identification number) is verified. The vehicle registration fee in Florida is based on the weight and size of the car.

New York Car Registry

New York State requires that car owners register their vehicle within 30 days after purchasing or moving into the state. Registration requires proofs of ownership and insurance. It also includes an inspection. Fees are determined by the weight and intended purpose of the vehicle.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration

Pennsylvania also has a DMV that handles vehicle registration. Proof of ownership and proof of insurance are required for the registration process. Fees are determined by the type and weight of your vehicle.

Ohio Car Registration

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles is responsible for vehicle registration in Ohio. The owner must present proof of insurance and identification, along with the registration fee, to register their vehicle. Fees are determined by the vehicle’s weight and intended purpose.

Georgia Vehicle Registration

For registration in Georgia, you will need a filled-out application, your vehicle’s title, proof of auto insurance and a valid ID. Most vehicles from 1996 and newer require an emissions test. The fees depend on the type and weight of the vehicle.

North Carolina Car Registry

In order to register a car in North Carolina the owner must provide the following: a copy the title of the vehicle, an application completed, proofs of insurance and registration fees. The fees are determined by the age, weight and use of the vehicle.

Michigan Vehicle Registration

Michigan’s vehicle registration requires a filled-out application, proof of auto insurance, registration fees paid, and an active driver license. Registration fees are determined by the state based on the value and age of the car.

Illinois Car Registration

Illinois’ vehicle registration requires proof of vehicle ownership, an application, and the payment of fees that are based on vehicle age and type. Illinois requires that cars in some areas be tested for emissions.

Virginia Vehicle Registration

Virginia requires that the vehicle owner submit a filled-out application, along with proof of ownership and insurance. The state will also inspect the car, as well as pay the fees. Virginia fees vary depending on vehicle type and weight.

New Jersey Car Registration

To register a car in New Jersey, you will need to submit a filled-out application, provide proof of insurance and pay the required registration fee. Fees are determined by the age and value of the car.

Washington Vehicle Registration

Washington State requires that vehicle owners provide a proof of ownership and proof of insurance. They also need to submit a filled-out application form as well as payment for the registration fee. Fees are determined by the type of vehicle, its weight and intended purpose.

Arizona Car Registration

For a vehicle to be registered in Arizona, an owner must submit a filled-out application, proof of auto insurance, vehicle title and pay the required registration fee. The fees in Arizona vary depending on the type of vehicle, its weight and intended purpose.

Massachusetts Vehicle Registration

The Massachusetts vehicle registration requires that you submit a vehicle registration form along with proofs of ownership and insurance. You will also need to pay registration fees according to the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

Tennessee Car Registration

Your vehicle in Tennessee must be registered every year. Registration requirements in Tennessee include an inspection of the vehicle, completion of the application, proof of liability insurance and payment of fees. Fees are determined by vehicle weight, type and intended purpose.

Indiana Vehicle Registration

You will need to complete an application form and submit it along with the title of your vehicle, proof of Indiana Insurance, state issued identification, odometer readings, as well as payment for registration fees. Indiana fees vary depending on the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

Missouri Car Registration

In Missouri, the vehicle registration procedure includes an application, proof of auto insurance, inspection of vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and payment of fees. Fees vary depending on vehicle type, age and weight.

Maryland Vehicle Registration

For a Maryland vehicle registration, an owner must submit a properly completed form along with proof of ownership and insurance. An inspection certificate is also required. Fees are determined by the type of vehicle, its age, weight and intended purpose.

Wisconsin Car Registration

Wisconsin vehicle registration requires a filled-out application, a title and fees that are based on vehicle type, weight and intended purpose. The car will also have to undergo an emission test.

Minnesota Vehicle Registration

To register your vehicle in Minnesota, you will also need a VIN check, a filled out application, an odometer readout, proof of liability insurance and the payment of registration fee. The vehicle registration fee in Minnesota is based upon the vehicle’s type, its age, its weight and its intended purpose.

Alabama Car Registration

To register your car in Alabama, you will also need to submit an application, proofs of insurance and ownership as well as payment of the registration fee. The vehicle registration fee in Alabama is based on weight and usage.

Oregon Vehicle Registration

Owners of cars in Oregon must submit a filled-out application, a title and pay registration fees that are based on vehicle type, weight and use. The vehicle will also need to undergo an emission test.

Oklahoma Car Registration

Owners of vehicles in Oklahoma must have a filled-out application, proof of auto insurance, an ID that is valid, as well as payment of the registration fee. Fees are determined by the weight of the vehicle and its intended purpose.

Kentucky Vehicle Registration

For a Kentucky vehicle registration, you will need a filled out application, proof of your insurance and the payment of the fees. Fees are determined by the year, type and weight of vehicle.

Arkansas Vehicle Registration

For a car to be registered in Arkansas the owner must have a filled out application, the title of the vehicle, proof of coverage, and the registration fee. A county-specific emissions test may be necessary.

Colorado Car Registration

Colorado vehicle registration is based on a filled-out application, proof of auto insurance, emissions testing, as well as payment of fees that are based upon the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

Louisiana Vehicle Registration

Louisiana requires that the vehicle owner submit a filled-out application, along with the title of the vehicle, proof of Louisiana Insurance, and the registration fee. Louisiana fees depend on the value, age and weight of a vehicle.

Iowa Vehicle Registration

Iowa registration requires the completion of an application form and proof of insurance. Fees vary depending on vehicle age and type.

Mississippi Car Registration

For a Mississippi car registration, you will need a filled-out application, your vehicle’s title, proof of coverage, and the payment of the registration fee. The fees are determined by the vehicle’s weight and its intended purpose.

Utah Vehicle Registration

Utah’s vehicle registration requires that you submit a vehicle application, provide proof of your insurance and pay fees according to the type of vehicle, its age and intended purpose.

Nevada Car Registration

For Nevada vehicle registration, you will need a filled out application, a VIN verification form, insurance proof, as well as fees that are based on vehicle age and type.

Kansas Vehicle Registration

Kansas vehicle registration requires the completion of an application form and proof of ownership and insurance. Fees are based on vehicle age and type.

New Mexico Vehicle Registration

For a New Mexico vehicle registration, you will need a filled out application, proofs of insurance and ownership. You’ll also have to pay fees depending on your vehicle age and weight.

Maine Vehicle Registration

Maine’s vehicle registration requires that you submit a filled-out application, provide proof of ownership and insurance and pay fees according to the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

Nebraska Vehicle Registration

For a Nebraska vehicle registration, you will need a filled out application, a proof of insurance and proof of ownership. You’ll also have to pay fees depending on your vehicle age and weight.

South Carolina Vehicle Number

South Carolina’s vehicle registration requires that you submit a vehicle application, provide proof of ownership and insurance and pay fees according to the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

Montana Vehicle Registration

For a Montana vehicle registration, you will need a filled out application, proofs of ownership and insurance and fees that are based on vehicle age and type.

Alaska Vehicle Registration

For a car to be registered in Alaska the owner must have the VIN completed along with proof of ownership and insurance.

Hawaii Vehicle Registration

For Hawaii registration, you will need a filled-out application, your vehicle’s title, proof that it is insured in Hawaii and the appropriate fees for the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

Idaho Vehicle Registry

For Idaho registration, you will need a filled out application, proofs of ownership and insurance and the payment of the appropriate fees. These fees are based on vehicle age and type.

North Dakota Vehicle Registry

North Dakota’s vehicle registration requires that you submit a vehicle application, provide proof of your insurance and pay registration fees according to the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

South Dakota Vehicle Registry

In order to register a car in South Dakota the owner must provide the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), proof of ownership and proof of insurance. They also need to pay fees according the type of vehicle and its weight.

Vermont Vehicle Registration

Vermont’s vehicle registration requires that you submit a vehicle application, provide proof of ownership and insurance and pay fees according to the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

West Virginia Vehicle Registry

For a West Virginia vehicle registration, you will need a filled out application, proofs of ownership and insurance and fees that are based on vehicle age and type.

Wyoming Vehicle Registration

Wyoming’s vehicle registration requires that you submit a filled-out application, provide proof of your ownership and insurance and pay fees according to the type of vehicle, its age and weight.

The registration of vehicles in each state in the United States can vary depending on factors such as the weight, the age and the intended purpose. In almost all states, the registration process is similar. It requires proof of insurance and ownership, as well as a vehicle check and payment for fees. To avoid fines and penalties, it is vital that vehicle owners follow the laws of their state and maintain their registration.

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When you buy a car, it is usually a person’s second most expensive purchase, after purchasing a home. The National Automobile Dealers Association states that the average price of a brand new car purchased in the United States is $28,400. Because buying a car is an expensive endeavor, you must go about the process carefully and practically to get the best results.

How to Buy a Car: Research

Before you begin buy a car, whether new or used, you need to do first do some research on what the best options are. With some preparation, you will be in a much better position to find the best deal when you buy a car.

Figure Out Your Needs Before You Buy a Car

Before you buy a car, you should consider what you will use your car for. For example, will you be driving to work or school, just running errands, or driving long distances? Think about how many miles you typically drive in a week, what sort of road conditions you will be usually driving in (rural roads, city streets, highways, etc.), how many people will usually be with you during these trips, and what sort of weather conditions you will most likely drive in (warm and sunny, snowy winters, rainy weather).

Understand Your Credit Before You Buy a Car

Before you start browsing for either your car or your car loan, you should first get a credit report. You are entitled to a free credit report once every 12 months from all of the national consumer credit reporting companies, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. To receive these credit reports, you can go to annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-822. If you need more than one from a specific reporting company within a 12 month period when you buy a car, you will be charged a small fee to receive your score.

Preapproval for a Car Loan Before You Buy a Car

Before you go out and buy a car, you should browse around for a car loan. You can go to your local credit union or bank and apply for a preapproved car loan. When you visit different lenders, make sure to compare financing offers to the offer provided by the dealer. Sometimes, your bank or credit union will offer better loan terms than a dealer. When you understand exactly what you can afford when you buy a car and the interest rate and terms you qualify for, you will be in a much better position to negotiate the price on the car.

When you apply for a car loan and buy a car, a good credit score will help you qualify for better interest rates on your loan. When you know what your credit score is, you will have a better idea of what is a fair interest rate and from there you can negotiate the price of the car with the dealer. If you do not have a credit history, some banks or dealers may apply a higher interest rate for a loan to help you buy a car. However, it is best to still browse around. Many credit unions and banks have special programs to assist you in establishing your credit history.

You may be considering asking a relative or friend to be a co-signer on your loan in order to help you qualify for a lower interest loan so you can buy a car. Be careful about doing so. It is ideal to avoid joint ownership of a vehicle. The co-signer will also be responsible for making car payments if you are unable to make them and both you and the co-signer will both be listed on the car’s title after you buy a car.

How to Buy a Car: Cost of the Car

When you buy a car, many different factors will affect the final cost of a car, such as buying used or new, or deciding to lease. Other expenses will also add to the maintenance expense over the life of the car, such as gas, insurance, taxes, mileage, and other expenses. There are different resources that will help you research the cost before you buy a car:

• Consumer Reports publications that provide car ratings based on maintenance costs, safety, gas mileage, and reliability. These publications are published monthly and are often available in the resource section of the public library.

• Kelley Blue Book, which is available online at kbb.com and often available as a hard copy in many local libraries. This reference provides prices of used cars of a particular model with a specific mileage.

• Your local newspaper to see out what rates local car dealers are offering for specific models.

Buy a Car: Choosing New or Used Cars

While a new car may seem to have more advantages to buy, you should still consider used cars. There are positives and negatives regarding costs in both new and used cars.

New Cars

• Positive: Has never been previously driven; may have new safety features or other attractive features; comes with a factory warranty.

• Negatives: More expensive; extra features are not always affordable; vehicle quickly loses value

Used Cars

• Positives: More affordable; may come with dealer warranty; may be able to afford vehicle with all the extras; any safety concerns may have already been acknowledged and fixed.

• Negatives: May need a higher down payment; cars sold “as-is” may not have warranty and may have previously damage.

Buy a Car: Other Expenses

When you buy a car, there are also other expenses you will have to consider:

Car Insurance

Car insurance (usually liability insurance) is needed and must be considered when you have to buy a car and plan a budget. Many different factors, such as the type of car you buy and personal qualities such as age, can also affect the cost of your particular insurance policy. You should make sure to check with your current insurance agency to find out what your insurance rates will be when you buy a car before actually purchasing it.

Miles per Gallon and Fuel Economy

Gas will be a very large expense over the life of your car. Before you buy a car, you should consider the grade of fuel the car needs (for example, premium-grade gas is much more expensive over the life of the car). Be sure to also compare the miles-per-gallon for whatever car you are considering purchasing.

Maintenance costs

Normal expenses when you buy a car include brakes, new tires, fluids, new batteries, tune-ups, repairs, and car washes. You may be able to save some money on these expenses if you learn just how to take care of some of the basic things by yourself, such as replacing belts, changing a flat tire, or changing the oil. You can read your car owner’s manual for more maintenance and money-saving suggestions before you buy a car.

Tax, License, and Registration Fees

Your local Department of Motor Vehicles or County Clerk/Recorder Office can give you a better idea of the fees and taxes needed for your car and what sort of identification you will need to provide when you buy a car. Some states may charge registration fees and taxes ever year. You might also be required by local laws to get a smog or emission test. All states’ motor vehicle departments require some form of official identification, such as a state identification card or a driver’s license, before they will register a car. Certain states will also require proof of legal residence in the United States as well before you can buy a car and register it.

How to Buy a Car: Financing Your Car

Depending on the price of the car you wish to buy and your finances, you may either borrow money from a bank or credit union or pay for the car in cash. Most individuals will need to get a car loan in order to buy the car. There are many different places to look for the right car loans: credit unions, banks, loan brokers, online direct lenders, car dealerships, and finance companies. Remember that you need to browse for financing deals the same way you do when you buy a car. You must understand the components of a car loan and look out for the best deal.

Look for a car loan before you visit the dealer to buy a car. Make sure to compare the terms and interest rates of the loan the car dealer offers you in comparison to your preapproved loan from the credit union or bank. Do not let a car dealer talk you into choosing their financing unless it the terms actually provide a better deal.

You should also be aware of car dealers that guarantee you a better interest rate on your loan after you sign the necessary paperwork to buy a car. This is usually a trick. After signing the paperwork, the dealer will tell you a few days later that unfortunately they are unable to give you the terms that you agreed to instead you will have to you come back in order to sign another contract that has even worse terms to buy a car. This practice is known as “yo-yo” financing, and while it is not illegal, it is unethical and can result in you paying much more than is necessary.

Buy a Car: Components of a Car Loan

Car Loans are designed for individuals who want to finance a car for personal use since they do not have the money available to purchase the car. A car loan can provide you with the immediate use of the car in exchange for regular payments on the loan over an agreed period of time. Here are some components of a car loan you should be aware of when you buy a car:

Down payment: Having some money saved up to use as a down payment on your car loan can greatly reduce your loan amount. A down payment will also help you lower your interest rate, which will save you a lot of money over the length of the loan. While it is possible to find a good auto loan that only requires a low down payment, such as 5%, it is better to put down as much money as you can, ideally at least 20%. Putting down a higher down payment drastically reduces the amount of money you will have to borrow, which results in lower monthly payments and a lower total of interest you will have to pay overall.

Length of Car Loan: The number of payments you will have to make before the loan is completely paid off affects your total purchase price as well as your monthly payment amount. By having a shorter loan term, it will result in the cost of your monthly payments to go up since you are choosing to pay your loan off sooner. While the payments themselves will be more expensive, you will end up saving money since you will pay less interest throughout the life of the car loan.

Interest Rates: Your auto loan interest rate is often determined by your credit history and your credit score. If you have a good credit score, you will be offered a lower interest rate on your car loan. If you have a bad credit score, your interest rate will be much higher. Other factors will also affect your interest rate, such as the size of your initial down payment.

Annual Percentage Rate: Your Annual Percentage Rate, or APR, includes your interest rate and the fees you are also financing with your loan. When you buy a car and you shop for auto loans beforehand, make sure to compare the annual percentage rates, which will you a more reasonable idea of the actual cost of the car loan.

You should make sure that you can afford your monthly car payments before you sign a contract. You should also make sure that the monthly payment you are quoted is the final monthly payment listed in your contract. Any extra features and options can substantially increase the final monthly payment for your car loan.

To get an idea of your monthly payment, the financial experts at Consumer Reports recommend that your total payment should not be any more than 36%of your total gross income. If you follow this rule, you can determine how much you can afford to pay on your loan by taking these steps:

• Calculate what 36% of your total gross monthly income is

• Total and itemize all your monthly payments, including your credit card bills, rent or mortgage, and any other installment loans you may have

• Subtract your monthly payments total from the 36%

By being aware of your down payment and your monthly payment, along with the typical interest rate and term you can handle, you can more easily calculate the total price of the vehicle that you will be able to afford as well as the loan amount for which you will need to qualify.

Buy a Car: Choosing the Vehicle Type

Now that you have an idea of what sort of financing you should expect before you buy a car, you can think about what sort of vehicle you want more in depth. Your goal is to find car models that exceed in the areas that are important to you. Here are some important considerations and explanations that you should consider.

Buy a Car: Choosing the Right Model

When you plan to buy a car and you figure out your price range and what type of vehicle you want, you can now start to narrow the possible choices to a few potential models that you want to test drive. To do this, you should gather as much information possible about each vehicle and compare them in different important areas, like reliability, fuel economy, driving experience, safety, owner experience, and features.

When you buy a car, you should check out model reviews of each possible car. You should read reviews from sources you trust that discuss a vehicle’s qualities, such as how it accelerates, brakes, and handles, how user-friendly and comfortable is the interior, and what deficiencies the vehicle may have. You can check out different consumer reports for full reports and reviews, as well as different newspapers and magazines which provide helpful reviews.

Buy a Car: Consider Reliability

Reliability ratings can explain well certain models compare to others, and the chances of you experiencing problems with your vehicle. The reliability of a vehicle can affect how happy you will be over the years with a car, and can significantly influence the resale value once you are ready to replace it. Reliability can be an expensive and difficult quality to evaluate, since the information has to come from vehicle owners. Many different sources provide reliability information to consumers based on surveys.

Buy a Car: Safety Ratings

There are many different elements that can affect the overall safety capability of a vehicle. Here are some important ones you should consider:

Crash tests

Front, side, and rear impact crash tests are performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Both provide crash-test ratings for specifically tested models online. They also provide previous results up to ten years old. The Accident avoidance

A vehicle’s ability to help you prevent or avoid an accident is also very important. Many different factors contribute to the accident-avoidance capability, the two most important being emergency handling and braking.

Rollover resistance

Rollover accidents account for around 33% of all vehicle-occupant deaths. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a 5-star rating system named the Rollover Resistance Rating. It is based on a vehicle’s static stability factor, which is basically how top-heavy the vehicle is, and the dynamic rollover test, which is a simulation of a driving making a series of sharp steering actions.

Rear-impact protection

Although rear-impact collisions have a fairly low fatality rate, they result a high injury rate, particularly for whiplash neck injuries. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety institute conducts tests of head restraints and also performs dynamic rear-impact tests which measure how well the head/seat-restraint combinations in different vehicle models protect against whiplash injuries.

Blind zones

Many accidents are the result of the driving missing something in their blind zones while driving. Larger vehicles, such as pickups and SUVs also have larger blind zones. To check a blind spot of a vehicle, sit in the driver’s seat of the vehicle that is parked and have someone stand in back of the vehicle and hold out a his or her hand at waist level. Have the person slowly walk back until you can see their hand through the rear window.

Buy a Car: Initial Inspection

When you go to the dealership to buy a car and greet the dealer for the first time, you should explain that you only wish to inspect and test drive any choices, but you do not plan to purchase anything that day. Resist the dealer’s attempts to lure you into a purchase. You can then focus on simply inspecting the vehicle.

Before you buy a car, take some time to look at the interior and exterior of the vehicle. Look at the seams between the doors and the body panels for any gaps or irregularities. Make notes of the smoothness of the paint and what colors look good. Next, look at the interior design of the vehicle. Consider how quiet and comfortable the cabin is and whether the controls are convenient to operate. Consider how easy it is to slip in and out of the car and how convenient the doors are to handle. Check out the upholstery that you intend to have and how comfortable it is. Adjust the seats and see if you can find a comfortable conformation. The seatbelt should be easy and comfortable as well. Adjust the steering well and decide on how you feel about your driving position. Check your visibility and make sure you can easily see the instrument panel and all directions while maintaining a comfortable position.

You should check for sufficient storage spaces for your personal items such as cell phones, mp3 players, or anything else when you buy a car. Check if used cup holders block important switches or block anything important such as air conditioning bents. Try out the audio system and compare its quality as well as other electronic systems like voice-activated controls or in-dash navigation before you buy a car.

After getting comfortable in the driver’s seat, sit in the other seats to see how comfortable they are. Look for any three-point safety belts for all seats, adequate cup holders, fold-down armrests, storage spaces, or ashtrays. Ensure that a child seat can be easily secured if you need one and how easy it would be to take a child out of the car before you buy a car.

Next, you should inspect rear cargo compartment or trunk. Check the opening mechanism, whether it needs a key or just a grab handle or remote control operated. Once the trunk is open, take a look at the hinges it has and whether they swing into the cargo area, which can damage items in the trunk. Consider how difficult it would be to load items into the cargo area before you buy a car.

Lastly, request to see the important service points in the engine compartment before you buy a car. You should easily find the dipsticks and fluid filler caps as well as the battery terminals.

Buy a Car: Test Drive

Ideally, you should test drive all potential vehicles on the same day on the same or similar streets in order to make good comparisons between vehicles before you buy a car. You should start by considering what you like and dislike about driving your current car regarding comfortable, features, performance, controls, and any other things you may not like. You should then plan your own route where you can experience different traffic situations such as rough city streets or high-speed freeways if they are a daily routine for you.

Once you decide on your route and what to look for before you buy a car, call the dealership to confirm the vehicle can be test-driven with certain features and schedule your appointments for the vehicles you wish to drive back to back. You must make sure to bring verification of car-insurance, something to record your observations with, a list of what you like and dislike with your current car, and what configuration you want for the cars you try. If you use child seats, bring those along to be test whether you can easily secure them in each vehicle.

Once you actually start the test drive before you buy a car, you should consider how the ride feels. Consider if the drive is smooth or harsh, whether the suspension isolates you from the road, how comfortable the ride is, what sort of acceleration is available, if the brakes are responsive, if the car responds nicely to steering maneuvers, how quiet the vehicle is, what sort of visibility you get, and what sort of visibility you get at night.

After the test drive, the dealer will most likely urge you into starting the buying process. At this point you should consider the dealership and whether you would want to buy a car from them. You should evaluate how responsive the dealer was to questions, whether you were treated with respect, if you got helpful and honest answers, and whether you were invited for any additional test drives before you decide to buy a car from a particular dealership.

Buy a Car: Figuring out Pricing

You should first decide on a target price that you can reasonably hope to attain after negotiating. When you first look at a car at a dealership, there will be a sticker that shows MSRP, and the cost of different options and the destination charge. Usually, you can negotiate a lower price without much resistance. You should not rely on the sticker price for a starting point when you buy a car.

Your target price should be somewhere between what dealership paid the manufacturer and the figure shown appears on the sticker. If you know the dealer’s cost, you can figure out what profit margin he or she can work with. Your target price should allow some space for a reasonable profit to the dealer. You can do this by find the dealer-invoice price and subtract any current dealer sales incentives along with the holdback amount from the figure. A reasonable price is around 1 to 5% over the dealer’s cost. If the model has not sold well, which can be indicated by frequent rebates or special financing, you may be able to buy a car for even less.

The best way to go about reaching your target price when you buy a car is to first come in prepared with the proper research about your target price. You can then work to negotiate one thing at a time. You should first make it clear that you wish to get the lowest markup possible and that you intend to visit other dealerships to compare prices. After settling on an initial price, discuss leasing, financing, and trade-ins if necessary and do so individually. Arrange financing in advance so that if the dealer offers you certain financing options, you can compare them to your preapproved options and determine which is better. You should also avoid paying for any extras that you do not need, such as paint protectant or rustproofing.

Buy a Car: Understanding the Auto-Pricing Terms

Here are some pricing terms that you will come across when you are looking at prices of vehicles.

On the window sticker:

• MSRP or Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: The vehicle’s published base retail price, without any options, destination charge, fees. This is only “suggested” so you may buy a car at other amounts.

• Optional equipment: Additional features or packages that can cost extra which are usually limited to interior, transmission choices, and paint. These prices can often be negotiated.

• Destination charge: Covers cost of delivery to the dealership from the factory which is usually non-negotiable fee.

• Market adjustments: An additional fee added by the dealer, usually to vehicles that are in high demand. While you can negotiate, you may not be as successful if the vehicle is selling and the dealer does not have an incentive to work with you.

• Sticker price or Total price: Total retail price including the MSRP, any options, the destination charge, and market adjustments. A salesperson will usually try to sell the vehicle as close to this price as possible.

Not on the sticker:

• Rebate: A rebate is a direct-to-buyer incentive to buy a car from the manufacturer. Disregard it when negotiating since it comes from the manufacturer.

• Dealer incentives: The money the manufacturer pays the dealer when he or she sells certain, models. It can be passed to the buyer as a price reduction, or kept as dealer profit.

• Holdback: Most manufacturers provide dealers a percentage of the MSRP as a refund after selling a vehicle, usually around 2 to 3%.

Buy a Car: Closing the Deal

After you decide on a car and you take care of negotiations, you are ready to purchase the vehicle. Before you give over your credit-card number, it is important to have the dealership send over the final contract to you so that you can review it ensure that everything is correct, such as the model of the vehicle, the trim, and any options that you want. Make sure to carefully check all the numbers found on the agreement. You will notice some other charges including the following:

• Destination charge

• Title and registration fee

• Documentation fee

• State sales tax

• Advertising fee

While these fees are not negotiable, there are others you can avoid paying such as:

• Extended warranty

• Advertising charge

• Dealer preparation fee

• Additional dealer markup

• Disability insurance

• Credit life insurance

• Rustproofing/undercoating

• Pinstriping

• Fabric protection

• VIN etching

• Security/anti-theft system

• Paint sealant

Buy a Car: After the Sale

After the sale, you will still need to make sure you have insurance on your car. Many people stay with their same insurance carrier without shopping around for a better deal. It is best to be proactive and compare premiums at least once a year to see whether you can get better, more affordable insurance.

In order to get a more accurate insurance quote, you will need to give information on the vehicle including the model, make model, trim line, year, and the vehicle identification number. You will also have to provide the sex, age, and recent driving record of any potential drivers. The insurance policy must cover bodily injury liability, property damage, and uninsured and underinsurance motorist insurance coverage. You can also choose to include collision and comprehensive, personal-injury protection, medical-payment protection, roadside assistance, and rental reimbursement in your insurance policy.

Buy a Car: Picking up your Vehicle

After you buy a car and your vehicle is ready, give it a full inspection before you drive off the dealer’s lot. If you notice any problems, you should immediately address them. You should not consider the process of buying a car complete until you have completely checked out the vehicle and you are fully satisfied with the vehicle’s condition. Go over the vehicle thoroughly, both the interior and exterior. If you find any issues, you should fix them before taking the car or if they are just minor issues, set up a firm date to have them fixed with the dealership. Here are some helpful hints for inspecting the vehicle:

• Inspect your vehicle during bright daylight to avoid missing small defects when it is dark.

• Ensure the vehicle has all the accessories and options you ordered and that they all work.

• Inspect the outside for dents, mismatched body panels, scratches, or paint defects.

• Inspect the inside of the car for improperly fitting or loose trim or stains and other defects in the carpeting, upholstery, or headliner.

• The odometer should have a very low mileage, from a few test drives.

• The salesperson should show you how to work the controls and help you find the common maintenance items (like the oil-filler hole, engine-oil dipstick, brake-fluid reservoir, etc.)

• IF you see anything else unusual about the vehicle, insist on a full explanation.

Getting the Best Auto Insurance Rates

Car insurance is often one the largest expenses associated with driving and owning a motor vehicle. For individuals whose cars are paid off, it is typically the second largest bill after gas for the vehicle. For young drivers or those with sporty cars, high auto insurance rates can be even more expensive. This is why it is important to try to get the most cost effective auto insurance rates for your policy.

Factors Affecting Auto Insurance Rates

It is first important to understand what factors an affect your auto insurance rates. There are many different factors that are directly correlated to your auto insurance rates. Some of the most significant ones include:

• Age: Young drivers usually have higher auto insurance rates since they are more inclined to get into car accidents. Likewise, senior drivers pay sine of the lowest auto insurance premiums, since according to driving statistics they are less likely to get in collisions than younger drivers.

• Gender: Statistically speaking, females tend to be more cautious drivers and are less likely to cause a serious accident on average. Because of this, women are usually favored by insurers, which results in them having lower average auto insurance rates than their male counterparts.

• Address: The amount of car theft and potential collisions vary greatly depending on area. Typically, drivers living in smaller cities and suburbs enjoy lower auto insurance rates than drivers who live in urban areas. This is why most auto insurance providers will ask you for your zip code before quoting auto insurance rates.

• Driving experience: The longer you have had your license, the lower your auto insurance rates will be. Additionally, insurance companies will also check how many years you have been insured. If you were insured under a one company for many years, the company will often provide you with lower auto insurance rates as you are thought to be a more reliable driver.

• Traffic claims and tickets: All insurance providers will ask if you have ever received any tickets or if you have made any traffic claims in the last three years. They will also ask if you have been in a traffic collision that was your fault.

• Make, Model, and Year of the vehicle: Each auto insurer has statistical data compiled of collisions and theft for each specific car model. They utilize this data to figure out which models are cheaper and which models are more expensive to provide insurance for. Not only the make and model of the vehicle makes a difference, but the year and a trim level affects your auto insurance rates as well.

• Vehicle use and annual mileage: Insurance companies will have you estimate how many miles you put on your car each year. The more you drive your vehicle, the higher your auto insurance rates will be. Because of this, you should accurately estimate your annual mileage in order to qualify for discounts for low mileage use. Likewise, you will have to specify how exactly you will use the motor vehicle, for example whether you will use it to commute from school or work or if you will use it for business.

What Coverage Affects Your Auto Insurance Rates

When it comes to auto insurance rates, finding the best coverage and the most affordable rates is very important. You should consider how your policy protects you, your family, and your valuables carefully before deciding on a policy. Licensed insurance agents will try to provide you with the most competitive rates since they are competing with other companies locally, but to get the best deal you need to look into what terms they are offering you and which of those are the best for you. You should choose exactly what sort of coverage you need, and decide on what coverage you will not need. This way, you will purchase only the coverage that is right for you, and your auto insurance rates will be reflected in this. Here are some different forms of coverage that can affect your auto insurance rates:

• Bodily Injury Coverage: This type of coverage is required in nearly all states. If you are in an accident and the other involved party wishes to sue you for their medical bills, your policy will cover this part the cost. However, if you do not have bodily injury liability coverage in your policy, and the other party wins a suit, you may lose large amounts of money and potentially your personal assets, like your house. This type of coverage is one of the most important parts of your policy, so when considering your auto insurance rates you should consider how you are protecting your family and your possessions in conjunction to the cost. You should discuss just how much coverage you will need with your insurance agent.

• Property Damage Coverage: While bodily injury pays for the other party’s property damage and medical bills in the event of an accident, liability coverage covers the other party’s vehicle replacement or repairs. Replacing a vehicle can potentially be as high as $40,000, depending on what type of vehicle is involved. This can add up to significant financial losses if you do not get this coverage as a part of your car insurance policy.

• Personal Injury Protection: Personal Injury Protection (sometimes just referred to as PIP) is also another component of insurance that is needed in some states that affects your auto insurance rates. Personal injury protection is a part of your auto insurance policy that will pay for any medial cost you or your family incurs if you are involved in an accident. Even if the other party is at fault in the accident, they may or may not have the coverage or the money to cover your medical bills. However, your health insurance may cover this type so make sure to check your medical policy before buying additional coverage on your automobile policy since this coverage will increase your auto insurance rates.

• Collision Coverage: This type of coverage will pay for the replacement or repair of your car if it is involved in an accident. As your vehicle gets older, it will depreciate in monetary value. Be sure to discuss with your agent about the best collision coverage at the best rate. The amount of coverage you actually need may vary for different vehicles in your household, particularly if you have a wide variety of vehicles in your home, such as trucks or motorcycles. Your auto insurance rates will also vary if you have both new and older vehicles.

• Comprehensive Car Insurance: If your vehicle is stolen, damaged by a natural disaster, or vandalized, comprehensive coverage can pay for these losses. Like collision insurance coverage, the value and age of your vehicle should also be considered so that you do not overpay for insurance and have a policy with higher rates.

• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: If you are involved in an accident where it is the other party’s fault, but that party is either underinsured or uninsured, you may find yourself with serious financial issues. Although the best car coverage might not cover the full amount of your vehicle’s injuries or damages, uninsured motorist coverage will cover you no matter what sort of insurance the other party has. This part of your policy will pay for any bills associated with the accident regarding property damage. There are many motorists that drive with no or very little coverage even though it is not recommended or sometimes even illegal.

Comparing Discounts in Auto Insurance Rates

Every insurance company provides different discount packages in their auto insurance policies. One way to find the lowest auto insurance rates and price for your car insurance is to compare different companies and see what discounts they provide that you would qualify for. Some common discounts for your policy include:

• Multi-Vehicle Discounts: This discount is one of the most common ones. You can be qualified for this when you insure more than one vehicle on the same insurance policy. Doing so lowers the administrate work for the insurance company and helps keep your premiums lower than insuring the two vehicles separately.

• Safe Driver Discounts: You are usually qualified for safe driver discounts in your auto insurance rates if you have not been filed a claim due to an accident (usually in the last three years). You may also be eligible for the safe driver discount if you have participated in a driver’s safety course.

• Defensive Driver Discounts: Participating in defensive driving courses is a way to get discounts that can lower your auto insurance rates. While not all companies offer this discount, it is a fairly common discount so you should ask your insurer if you qualify. This discount can result in up to 10 percent off on your insurance premium. The defensive driver discount can also be an incentive for you to study more if you are already enrolled in a program since doing well can result in a great discount. Furthermore, you may learn some important defensive driving techniques which can help you avoid an accident in the future, which would save you money in the long run.

• Academic Discounts: This discount, sometimes called the student discount or a good student discount, is one that varies between insurance companies. In general, if you qualify under the category your provider considers as the “good student discount” you can save money on your insurance policy. Some companies provide discounts in excess of 10 percent. The idea behind this insurance discount is that good students are more likely to be better drivers. Usually this discount only applies to current full time students. The requirements to qualify vary from company to company. For certain companies, the GPA must be either above a 3.0 or in the upper 20 percent. For others, the discount is applied when the student makes the dean’s list. Typically, there is an age limit to this discount, but it is usually applicable to both high school students and college students.

• Safety Equipment Discounts: Purchasing a vehicle with security or safety equipment can help you qualify for discounts to your auto insurance rates. Even installing certain items after purchasing the vehicle can help you save money on your policy. Most of this depends on the specific insurance company and the type of equipment, but it is still beneficial to discuss these discounts with your insurance company.

• Anti-theft Device Discounts: There are often discounts for your auto insurance rates that are similar to the equipment discounts. In this case, these discounts are for drivers that install alarms or other theft prevention equipment on their vehicles. For example, some vehicles that are equipped with tracking devices or devices that turn off the vehicle off a certain amount of miles if it was hotwired may qualify you for a discount. These discounts are specific for each insurance company, so you should ask your insurer if you meet the requirements.

• Club Membership Discounts: Certain organizations and clubs work out deals with different insurance companies to provide discounts on auto insurance rates for their members. Some of these insurance discounts can be applied to your auto insurance rates, as well as other types of insurance coverage you may have. Not every organization or club has these deals in all areas and not every insurance company will honor them. Usually, it is worthwhile to at least check with any organizations you belong to see if they provide any discounts, and if so, which companies will honor them.

• Low Mileage Discounts: If the average miles you have driven is lower than many other drivers, you may be eligible to receive low mileage discounts. The purpose of this discount is that since you drive less, you are less likely to get into a car accident, so you are less likely to cost the insurance company any money. Although not every insurer offers these discounts, those that do may allow you to save up to 10 to 15 percent off your auto insurance rates. If you have recently changed jobs to a closer location and your daily commute is now shorter or if you are no longer using your car as often, you should make sure to contact your insurance agent to check if the reduction in your estimated weekly mileage helps you qualify for a discount.

• Military Discounts: If you have served in the military, you know that many businesses, even outside of insurance provides different military discounts. Many insurers provide discounts for both former and current members of the military as well as their families on their auto insurance rates. Who specifically qualifies may vary between different companies. Generally, current members of the military are eligible for these discounts.

• Payment Method Discounts: Many insurance companies offer discounts if you set up a specific form of automated payment in order to pay your monthly insurance bills. This payment is often an automatic debit payment from a checking account. You can check with your specific insurer to see if any discounts are available, if you qualify, and what the terms and conditions of each offer are.

• Preferred Parking Discounts: While this is a less common discount, some insurance providers will give you a discount on your auto insurance rates based on your parking. Some companies would prefer to avoid paying for you if someone else causes damage to your vehicle in a communal lot, such as an apartment parking lot. Having a private parking, or some other form of secured parking may make you eligible for the parking discount for your auto insurance rates.

• Retiree Discounts: Depending on the particular area you live in, the retirement age may be either at 55 or 65 years of age. Some insurance companies provide discounts to retired drivers. This is because retired drivers typically spend less time on the road in comparison to other drivers. Without having to commute daily, retirees usually put less mileage on their vehicles than their working driver counterparts who have added mileage with their daily commutes. If you are 55 years of age or older, you should ask your insurance agent if there are any discounts you qualify for. A retiree discount on your auto insurance rates can make a big impact on the amount you pay each month on your premium. This is a discount that is often offered outright by insurance agents, so it is important ask about to potentially save you money.

Tips for Lower Auto Insurance Rates

Many drivers overpay on premiums and end up with higher auto insurance rates because they do not take the time to get insurance quotes from more than one auto insurer. Many drivers are simply not aware of just how easy it is to obtain multiple car insurance quotes. Getting many quotes for the best auto insurance rates is even easier with the use of the internet and computers, which makes the entire process very quick and efficient. Within 15 minutes you can find the auto car insurance rates for your car. Switching to the least expensive or best value policy auto insurance rates can usually save you significant amounts annual premium or provide you with more adequate coverage. By shopping around, you can see what auto insurance rates are provided by different companies, what ratings a company has in an area, how quickly each company will process a claim, and more.

The next thing you can do to decrease your auto insurance rates is to increase your deductible. This is the amount you have to pay out of pocket when you make a claim before your insurance coverage starts applying to your claim. This is applicable to both collision and comprehensive coverage, but not your liability coverage. Increasing your insurance deductible can give you lower auto insurance rates, but you should be careful if you decide to do this. You must be able to afford the high deductible in the case you need to make an insurance claim. If you increase your insurance deductible from $200 to $500, you might potentially lower your premium anywhere from 15% to 30%. If you increase the deductible on your vehicle insurance beyond $1,000, you could potentially save up to 40% on your auto insurance rates. When you are getting quotes for auto insurance rates, be sure to inquire if your deductible will provide you with you more affordable auto insurance rates. But always think about whether you can afford to pay for your insurance deductible out of pocket before you decide to raise it to save on your auto insurance premiums.

Another way to lower your auto insurance rates is by dropping or lowering some of the coverage, but only if doing so is reasonable. Being under-insured may end up costing you more in the end in the case you are ever involved in a car accident. It only makes sense to drop some of your coverage to lower your auto insurance rates if you are driving an older model vehicle. If your vehicle is worth less than ten times the amount you pay for your insurance coverage, you should consider dropping your comprehensive and collision coverage altogether. These two kinds of coverage may account for 40 decent or more of your total cost of your premium while only covering your vehicles value. If any insurance claim payment you would possible receive in the case of an automobile accident would not exceed your premiums substantially, excluding the deductible, than it is most likely not worth the comprehensive and collision coverage. Eliminating this coverage is a great way to lower your auto insurance rates and get the lowest price.

A more direct way to get lower quotes for auto insurance rates is by first purchasing the right kind of vehicle. If you are planning to buy a new car, you should consider the expected vehicle insurance premiums into the sticker price of the particular vehicle. You can compare different auto insurance rates online to see if your ideal car will provide you with more affordable auto insurance rates. Vehicles that have some of the highest theft rates and rates of repair will costs will cost more to insure in comparison to those that have smaller chances of theft or repair. There are many different factors that are considered when you decide to purchase a specific vehicle aside from these so you should not but so much focus on them at the beginning of your search. However, once you narrow your choices down to just a few different vehicle models, you should take the time compare what your auto insurance rates may be. This comparison between rates can help you make your decision on what car to purchase.

If it is possible, you may want to consider moving to a lower crime area. The location of your residence as well as where your daily commute to your work is also considered by insurance agents when figuring out your insurance premiums and auto insurance rates. This is consideration because of many different reasons. Those who live and par their vehicle in wealthy neighborhoods are less likely to have their car broken into, damaged, or stolen while it is parked overnight. Secondly, those who have more brief commutes to and from work are less likely to have their vehicles involved in an auto accident when they spend less time on the road in comparison to drivers with longer commutes to work. This is why insurance agents always verify your home address as well as telephone number. Insurance agents use this information when calculating your auto insurance rates to figure out if you live in a low-risk or a high-risk neighborhood, and they also compare with your employer’s information to figure out how long of a commute you have each day going to and back from work. These factors will determine your exact auto insurance rates and the cost of your insurance.

If you currently have many different insurance policies through many different insurance companies, you may be able to consolidate all of these policies so that you only need to work with one insurance agent for your insurance. For example, individuals may have different policies for their car, their boat, and perhaps even their boat or recreational vehicle. When you consolidate all of these separate insurance policies into one policy, or if you at least at least choose one company to handle these policies, you can eliminate many different hassles regarding insurance. Consolidation can also lower the total amount of money you pay for premiums each month on all of your insurance policies. Other types of insurance policies include health, life, travel, and dental. Depending on the insurance company you are working with, you might be able to consolidate these different insurance policies in order to receive cheap car insurance and lower auto insurance rates as well. Doing so will save you more money on a monthly basis.

If your car or vehicle is used as a seasonal or show vehicle, you might not need full insurance for the entire year for the vehicle. For any vehicles that are put in storage for a certain amount of time, it is better to purchase storage insurance, which is the best option for inexpensive car insurance. It is important to note that you cannot legally drive your vehicle if you only have storage insurance, but it will pay out in the case your vehicle is damaged during its time in storage. Depending on the exact model and make of your vehicle as well as the type of damage that has occurred to the vehicle, repairing the vehicle without any insurance can end up costing you much more in out-of-pocket expenses than having storage insurance. As long as you maintain your storage insurance policy on the vehicle while it is being stored, you can save yourself a lot of frustration, money, and time if something happens to your vehicle.

Your credit score directly affects many things in your life, and auto insurance rates are no exception. If you are looking for low auto insurance rates, one of the best courses of action you can take is to fix credit score if it is low. Having a bad credit score can be potentially costing you thousands of dollars each year on your auto insurance payments. You should keep your credit score clean by always paying bills on time, always paying back loans on time, and making sure to avoid maxing out any of your credit cards. Any bounced checks or bank overdrafts can also negatively affect your credit score as well. You should make sure to request a copy of your credit report from the three credit reporting bureaus on an annual basis, even if you think your credit report is clean. You may have been a victim of identity theft without even knowing, or there can be an error in your report that results in a lower score. By having these fixed, you can potentially lower your auto insurance rates and save money.

One of the most important ways to lower your auto insurance rates or keep them low is by maintaining a very clean driving record. Your first accident can result in as much as a 40 percent increase in your monthly premium, so you should make sure to drive very carefully while on the roads to help you’re your car insurance as affordable as possible. Many insurance companies offer discounts for safe drivers, although the criteria and definition of safe driving and having a clean driving record usually varies from agent to agent as well as from company to company. It is important to remember that agents are not likely to mention this discount if you do not say anything, so you should not be hesitant in asking if you are qualified as long as you think you have a clean driving record to support it. Also remember that if you end up getting in a collision while you have this discount, it will be incredibly difficult to maintain or regain the safe driving benefits and you will most likely see an increase in your auto insurance rates for at least for the first few years. If you ever get a ticket, driving school may also help lowering your auto insurance rates or at least may excuse you from paying your ticket.

A Guide to the Traffic Violations Bureau

The Traffic Violations Bureau, often referred to as TVB, is a division of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. The Traffic Violations Bureau is entrusted with resolving non-criminal traffic violations within New York City, and the cities of Buffalo and Rochester, as well as significant sections of Suffolk County. The idea behind the establishment of the Traffic Violations Bureau was to reduce the large volume of these traffic cases from the normal courts. You may still contact a traffic lawyer to review your case.

Purpose of the Traffic Violations Bureau

Unlike a true legal court, the Traffic Violations Bureau is an administrative agency that is a part of the Department of Motor Vehicles, which has different procedures regarding certain elements such as having rules of evidence to its threshold for conviction of traffic violations. The function of the judge at the Traffic Violations Bureau is performed by the administrative law judge.

The sole options at the Traffic Violations Bureau for a defendant are to either plead guilty or plead not guilty. You cannot ask for plea bargains at the Traffic Violations Bureau, nor can the judge lower the charge or the penalty. Instead, he or she can only rule guilty or not guilty based on the stated charge of the violation. The Traffic Violations Bureau judge is not given the authority to increase the fine, nor is he or she given the authority to suspend a license. At the Traffic Violations Bureau, there is no complete right to a supporting deposition, and the rules on admissibility of hearsay evidence are much less strict than that of a regular court. Usually, the traffic hearing only consists of each side presenting their story, the allowance of hearsay eliminating the need of court formalities such as swearing the witnesses in and other procedures.

Appeals from Traffic Violations Bureau rulings are made not to a higher court, but rather to the Appeals Processing Unit of the Department of Motor Vehicles. There is an appeals fee of $10, which must be paid to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. If the Traffic Violations Bureau appeal is against the guilty verdict itself, rather than opposed to the penalty, a transcript of the case must be ordered, which has an additional fee of $50.

Criticisms of the Traffic Violations Bureau

Because the rules of evidence of the Traffic Violations Bureau, particularly the admissibility of hearsay and the right of discovery, are more relaxed than in an actual court, the Traffic Violations Bureau system has often been criticized to be a difficult and biased system. It has also been criticized due to the lack of an option to plead in order to lesser charges, which is usually found in traffic court.

The threshold of conviction at the Traffic Violations Bureau is having convincing and clear evidence, rather than the general definition of having proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Another criticism of the Traffic Violations Bureau is that this lower standard makes conviction much easier. However, others have argued that this streamlined process, along with having a judge who is an expert on traffic law, results in a fairer trial for the parties involved.

What to Know About Vehicular Homicide

Vehicular homicide, which is also known as vehicular manslaughter, in considered a moving violation and a serious crime in most states. In general, vehicular homicide involves a person’s death that is the result of the a driver’s negligent operation of a motor vehicle, or more so the result from operating a vehicle while committing some unlawful act that may not necessarily amount to a felony. In the United States Model Penal Code, there is no special distinction between just a vehicular homicide and a vehicular homicide that also involves negligence. Both vehicular homicides fall within the overall category of a negligent homicide.

All states except Alaska, Arizona, and Montana have specific vehicular homicide statutes. The laws pertaining to vehicular homicide have the legal effect of calling a vehicle a potentially dangerous and deadly weapon, which allows for more severe penalties and easier convictions. In states that do not have statutes regarding vehicular homicide, defendants may still be charged with manslaughter or even murder depending on the situations. The victim of a vehicular homicide can either be a person who is not in the vehicle with the offending driver, for example a pedestrian, another motorist, or a cyclist, or the victim can be the passenger in the motor vehicle with the offending driver.

Motor Vehicles Involved in a Vehicular Homicide

A vehicular homicide occurs when a motor vehicle is used as the tool or instrument which causes a person’s death. Usually, the term “motor vehicle” includes all vehicles that are used and designed to mainly transport property and people on public roads and highways. The vehicle is also self-propelled and does not require manpower as a power source. Following this definition, motor vehicles that are involved in a vehicular homicide can include:

• Passenger vehicles

• Vans or mini-vans

• Sport utility vehicles

• Motorcycles

• Taxicabs

• Buses

• Trucks, such as pickup trucks or commercial trucks

Depending on the states, airplanes and motorboats may or may not be included within the definition of “motor vehicles” in regards to vehicular homicide. However, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, watercraft, skateboards, and farm tractors are usually not considered “motor vehicles” when dealing with vehicular homicide.

Sentencing for Vehicular Homicide by State

Because the statutes and sentencing for vehicular homicide vary by state, here is a quick breakdown by state of the potential fines and time spent in prison for a vehicular homicide. Note that these can vary due to the circumstances, for example if alcohol or drugs were involved.

• Alabama: 1 to 10 years, penalties between $500 and $15,000.

• Alaska: 1 to 99 years, case law states that vehicular homicide can be criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter, or second-degree murder, depending on the risk created and level of awareness.

• Arizona: No statutes, by negligent homicide (1 to 8 years), manslaughter (7 to 21 years) or second degree murder (10 to 22 years) may apply.

• Arkansas: 5 to 20 years, classifies as a negligent homicide with fines not exceeding $15,000.

• California: 0 to 10 years and up to $10,000.

• Colorado: 2 to 6 years and $2,000 to $500,000.

• Connecticut: 1 to 10 years, up to $10,000.

• Delaware: 1 to 5 years, time spent depends on if the vehicular homicide is a first degree offense or a second degree offense.

• Florida: 0 to 15 years, up to $10,000.

• Georgia: 0 to 20 years, depending on severity of offense and whether or not the person is a habitual offender.

• Hawaii: 0 to 10 years and up to $25,000 depending on degree of negligent homicide.

• Idaho: 0 to 15 years, and up to 15,000 for vehicular manslaughter.

• Illinois: 1 to 28 years and up to $25,000, no probation offered unless extraordinary circumstances exist.

• Indiana: 2 to 20 years, up to $10,000, depends on offense and blood alcohol content.

• Iowa: 1 to 25 years.

• Kansas: 0 to 172 months and fees of up to $300,000 depending on severity and whether alcohol or drugs were involved.

• Kentucky: 0 to 10 years and up to 10,000 depending on severity of the vehicular homicide.

• Louisiana: 3 to 30 years and from $2,000 to $15,000.

• Maine: 6 months to10 year, between $2,100 and $20,000.

• Maryland: 0 to 5 years, no more than $5,000.

• Massachusetts: 30 days to 15 years, depends on if there is negligence or recklessness, between $300 and $3,000.

• Michigan: 0 to 20 years, between $2,500 and $10,000.

• Minnesota: 0 to 10 years and up to $20,000 for grossly negligent behavior or DUI.

• Mississippi: 5 to 25 years and up to $1,000.

• Missouri: 0 to 15 years, depends on class of felony.

• Montana: No official vehicular homicide statute but 0 – 30 years and no more than $50,000.

• Nebraska: 1 to 50 years, up to $25,000.

• Nevada: 2 to 25 years, fees between $2,000 and $5,000, depends on if it was a DUI and any prior offenses, imprisonment for life is possible.

• New Hampshire: 0 to 15 years, up to $4,000.

• New Jersey: 5 to 10 years, no more than $150,000.

• New Mexico: 0 to 6 years, no more than $5,000 for third degree felony.

• New York: 0 to 15 years, no more than $15,000 depending on degree of manslaughter.

• North Carolina: 15 months to 40 years, depends on whether it is a felony, aggravated felony, or repeat felony.

• North Dakota: Up to 10 years and up to $10,000 can be classified as murder, manslaughter, or negligent homicide.

• Ohio: 1 to 15 years, up to $15,000, can be classified as aggravated vehicular homicide or involuntary manslaughter

• Oklahoma: 0 to 1 year, between $100 and $1,000.

• Oregon: 0 to 20 years, up to $375,000.

• Pennsylvania: 0 to 10 years, up to $25,000.

• Rhode Island: 5 to 25 years, up to $20,000 depending on offense.

• South Carolina: 1 to 25 years, between $10,100 and $25,100.

• South Dakota: 0 to 15 years, up to $30,000.

• Tennessee: 80 to 60 years, up to $50,000 depending on whether it is a vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide.

• Texas: 2 to 20 years, up to $10,000.

• Utah: 0 to 15 years and up to $10,000 depending on degree of felony

• Vermont: 1 to 15 years and up to $10,000.

• Virginia: 1 to 20 years, up to $2,500.

• Washington: 31 months to 177 months, or life imprisonment depending on circumstances, no more than $50,000.

• West Virginia: 90 days to 10 years, up to $3,000.

• Wisconsin: 0 to 40 years, up to $100,000.

• Wyoming: 0 to 20 years for the felony.

A Guide to Auto Recalls

The United States National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act gives the Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the authority to create vehicle safety standards and to require vehicle manufacturers to recall motor vehicles that do not meet Federal safety standards or have any safety-related defects. Since 1966, over 390 million cars, buses, trucks, recreational vehicles, mopeds, and motorcycles, as well as nearly 66 million pieces of vehicle equipment, 46 million tires, and 42 million child safety seats have also been recalled in order to correct safety defects.

While some manufacturers may voluntarily initiate of these auto recalls, others are often influenced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigations or ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to perform auto recalls through the courts. If a safety defect is found in a vehicle, the manufacturer has to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as any vehicle owners, dealers, and distributors. The vehicle manufacturer is then required to fix the problem at no charge to the vehicle owner. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is responsible for observing the auto manufacturer’s corrective action in order to ensure successful completion of the auto recall campaign.

The Purpose of Auto Recalls

Auto recalls are necessary when:

• A motor vehicle or a part of motor vehicle equipment does not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.

• There is some safety-related defect in the motor vehicle or its equipment.

Federal standards on motor vehicle safety create minimum performance requirements for those parts of motor the vehicle that most directly affect its safe operation (such as brakes, lighting, and tires) or that protect the vehicle’s drivers and passengers from serious injury or death in the event of a vehicle crash (such as safety belts, energy absorbing steering columns, air bags, child restraints, motorcycle helmets). These federal standards are also applicable to all motor vehicles and vehicle-related equipment that are manufactured or imported for retail in the United States and its territories and are certified for use on public highways and road.

Auto Recalls and Safety Defects

The U.S. Code for Motor Vehicle Safety (Title 49, Chapter 301) specifically defines motor vehicle safety as the motor vehicle’s performance or the performance of motor vehicle equipment in a way in which it protects the public against any unreasonable risk of vehicle accidents due to the design, construction, or the performance of a motor vehicle, and against any unreasonable risk of injury or death in an accident, and also includes nonoperational safety of the motor vehicle. Defects that can result in motor recalls include those in construction, performance, a component, or the material of a motor vehicle or its equipment. Usually, a safety defect is considered a problem that only exists in a motor vehicle or the motor vehicle equipment if:

• The motor vehicle or the equipment poses some risk to the motor vehicle safety, and

• It can exist in a group of motor vehicles of the same manufacture or design, or items of equipment of the same manufacture or type.

Examples of Safety-Related Defects that Can Result in Auto Recalls

Auto recalls can be the result of many different safety-related defects in automobiles or their parts. Some examples include the following:

• Steering components of the vehicle break suddenly resulting in partial or complete loss of control over the motor vehicle.

• Accelerator controls that stick or break.

• Issues with the fuel system components, mainly in their susceptibility to any crash damage, which results in leakage of fuel and can potential result in motor vehicle fires.

• Wheels that break or crack, which results in a loss of control over the vehicle.

• Windshield wiper assemblies that do not properly operate.

• Engine cooling fan blades that unexpectedly break resulting in injury to people working on a motor vehicle.

• Seats and/or seat backs which fail unexpectedly during regular use.

• Radios and air conditioners that do not operate properly.

• Ordinary use or wear of vehicle equipment that has to be maintained, inspected, or replaced periodically such as batteries, shock absorbers, exhaust systems and brake pads and shoes.

• Excessive oil consumption.

• Body panel or nonstructural rust.

• Quality of paint defects or cosmetic blemishes.

The Start of Auto Recalls

Most decisions to conduct auto recalls and remedies of a safety defect are made by manufacturers voluntarily before any involvement by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Through their own inspection procedures, tests, and information gathering systems, auto manufacturers often discover that some safety defect exists in the vehicle or its equipment or that the safety standard requirement has not been correctly met. If a safety defect is discovered and auto recalls are necessary, the vehicle manufacturer must file a public report that describes the safety-related defect or the noncompliance with the federal motor vehicle safety standard, the events that resulted in the determination of the auto recall, the involved motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment population, a description of the auto recall’s remedy, and a schedule for auto recalls.

After auto recalls, manufacturers are required to attempt to notify owners of the recalled products. For auto recalls of motor vehicles, that means manufacturers must combine their own records of motor vehicle purchasers with the current state motor vehicle registration information. For motor vehicle equipment, where there are no state registration records, manufacturers must notify the distribution chain and all known purchasers of the recalled motor vehicle equipment. If an owner of a vehicle subject to any auto recalls does not receive a notification, the manufacturer is then obligated to provide a free remedy for the vehicle or equipment.

Booster Seat Requirements for Your Child’s Safety

What is a Booster Seat?

Unlike many child restraints with built-in harnesses, a booster seat uses on a vehicle’s belt to buckle a child in. The purpose is to make the adult seat belt fit the child better. Booster seats used are for children who have outgrown forward-facing restraints. The best booster seats will provide a good fit for the adult seat belt for typical children between 4 and 8 years old or above 40 pounds in nearly any car, SUV, or minivan.

A booster seat is a firm cushion made of plastic or foam that elevates a child higher in a car in order to improve the angle and position of the shoulder seat belt. Booster seat requirements call for slots or hooks where the lap belt is put through to lower the lap belt down to the child’s hips and thighs. There are high back, backless, and removable-back booster seats. Many booster seats also include a comfort clip or a shoulder belt guide that can be used, if needed, to slightly lower the shoulder belt so it can cross the center of the child’s shoulder and chest.

Booster Seat Requirements for Your Child

While there are no strict booster seat requirements for the design of a booster seat, ideal booster seats have a removable back with adjustable headrests. Most high back booster seats have energy-absorbing, high-density foam in the head region. In order protect a child’s neck and spine, the head must be properly supported by the vehicle seatback, headrest, or booster seat. An adjustable headrest also helps keep a sleeping child properly positioned under the vehicle belt and also comfortably positions the shoulder without preventing it from properly retracting.

Booster Seat Requirements by State

Each state has its own specific booster seat requirements. Some states do not explicitly state that a booster seat is needed, but rather some sort of child restraint system is required. If your state is not listed, there are no booster seat requirements for children between 4 and 8 years old.

• Alabama Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children between the ages of 5 and 6 years old.

• Alaska Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for ages between 4 and 7 (between 20 and 64 pounds or less than 57”).

• Arizona Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 5 years old.

• Arkansas Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 5 years old (and less than 60 pounds).

• California Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 8 years old (and less than 57″) in rear seat if possible.

• Colorado Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children ages between 4 and 7.

• Connecticut Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint system for children between ages 1 and 6 (and less than 60 pounds).

• Delaware Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old (less than 66 pounds).

• Georgia Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 8 years old (and less than 57″) in rear seat if possible.

• Hawaii Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for child restraint for between 4 and 7.

• Idaho Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraints required for children less than 7 years old.

• Illinois Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old.

• Indiana Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old.

• Iowa Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children 4-5 years old.

• Kansas Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat or child restraint required for children between ages 4 and 7 years old (and less than 80 pounds or than 57″).

• Kentucky Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children less than 6 years old (between 40″ and 50″).

• Louisiana Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children between ages 4 and 5 years old (between 40 and 60 pounds).

• Maine Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children 40 to 80 pounds and less than 8 years old

• Maryland Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 8 (and less than 57″ and less than 65 pounds).

• Massachusetts Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old (and less than 57″).

• Michigan Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old (and less than 57″).

• Minnesota Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old (and less than 57″).

• Mississippi Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children between 4 and 6 years old (and less than 57″ or 65 pounds).

• Missouri Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat between 4 and 7 years old (and between 40 and 80 pounds and less than 57″) or for children 4 years or older (and greater than 80 pounds or more than 57″) in rear seat.

• Montana Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 6 years old (and less than 60 pounds).

• Nebraska Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 5 years old.

• Nevada Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 6 years old (less than 60 pounds).

• New Hampshire Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 5 years old (less than 55″).

• New Jersey Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 8 years old (less than 80 pounds).

• New Mexico Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children 5 and 6 years old (or less than 60 pounds).

• New York Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children between 4 and 7 years old unless no lap/shoulder belt is available.

• North Carolina Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for than 7 years old (and less than 80 pounds).

• North Dakota Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for less than 6 years old (and less than 80 pounds or 57”), or if greater than 40 pounds, child can use lap belt if lap/shoulder seat belts is not available.

• Ohio Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children between 4 and 7 years old (greater than 40 pounds and less than 57″).

• Oklahoma Booster Seat Requirements: Lap belt for children greater than 40 pounds in rear seat if belt if lap/shoulder belt is unavailable.

• Oregon Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children less than 8 years old but over 40 pounds or less than 57″ tall.

• Pennsylvania Booster Seat Requirements (Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration): Child restraint for children less than 7 years old.

• Rhode Island Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old (less than 80 pounds and less than 57″) in rear seat if possible.

• South Carolina Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children between 1 and 5 years old (between 40 and 80 pounds) secured by lap/shoulder belt.

• Tennessee Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children between 4 and 8 years old (and less than 57”), rear seat if available for children less than 8 years old (and less than 57”)

• Texas Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old (and less than 57″).

• Utah Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old (and less than 57″).

• Vermont Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children between 2 and 7 years old (and greater than 20 pounds).

• Virginia Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old.

• Washington Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 8 years old (and less than 57”).

• West Virginia Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 7 years old (and less than 57”).

• Wisconsin Booster Seat Requirements: Booster seat for children between 4 and 7 years old (and 40 and 80 pounds and less than 57″).

• Wyoming Booster Seat Requirements: Child restraint for children less than 8 years old in rear seat if available.

A Guide to Moving Violations

What are Moving Violations?

A moving violation is a violation of traffic law which is committed by a driver of a motor vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. The word “motion” distinguishes moving violations from other traffic violations such as equipment violations, parking violations, or paperwork violations that are related to registration insurance, inspection, or others.

Moving violations are usually more heavily penalized because in theory, they are more likely to cause direct physical hard to the other individuals or cause property damage. While some traffic violations, like parking violations, are considered civil matters that only involve a vehicle’s owner, moving violations are actually charged against the vehicle driver. Moving violations are typically classified as misdemeanors or infractions, but any serious moving violations such driving under the influence, a hit and run, or road rage can be classified as felonies depending on the situation.

The most typically enforced moving violation, and certainly the most frequent reason for a motor vehicle pullover (regardless of specific citation issued, if any), is a moving violation that involve the speed limit. The measurements of drivers speed throughout time have found certain roadways where driver compliance with the speed laws is very low, which makes many motor vehicles liable to be pulled over by law enforcement.

Severe Moving Violations

As mentioned, some serious moving violations will result in criminal charges such as misdemeanors or felonies. Here are some severe moving violations that you should be aware of:

Severe Moving Violations: Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence (known as a DUI or DWI for driving while intoxicated) is the act of operating a motor vehicle while having blood levels of alcohol that exceed a legal limit. For these moving violations, convictions do not necessarily require actual driving of the motor vehicle. In most jurisdictions, a measurement like the person’s blood alcohol content beyond a defined level, like 0.08% defines the offense, without having to prove driving impairment.

For DUI moving violations, many states adopted truth in sentencing laws which enforce strict guidelines on sentencing for this moving violation. Many jurisdictions in the United States require more serious penalties for this moving violation, such as large fines, jail time, DUI programs, or the installation of ignition interlock devices. These penalties can increase even more when driver’s BAC is much higher than the limit, such as 0.15-0.20%.These additional penalties are an attempt to prevent and punish the operation of a motor vehicle at extremely high blood alcohol content levels and the resulting danger posed to the safety of individuals and personal property by heavily impaired drunk drivers.

Severe Moving Violations: Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is another severe moving traffic violation. It is considered a more serious moving violation than careless driving, improper driving, and driving without due care and attention. Reckless driving often results in fines, jail time, and/or suspension or revocation of a driver’s license as well as a misdemeanor criminal record.

When a person commits reckless driving moving violations, the driver is often in a mental state in which he or she displays an extreme disregard for the regulations of the road. The driver often misjudges normal driving procedures, which results in accidents and damages such as personal injury or property damage. Like other moving violations, reckless driving stays on your DMV record also results in points added to your insurance. Reckless driving usually goes hand in hand with other moving violations such as speeding or alcohol use.

Severe Moving Violations: Vehicular Homicide

Vehicular homicide, sometimes called vehicular manslaughter, is one of the more severe moving violations that result in a criminal record. In general, vehicle homicide results in death from the negligent operation of a motor vehicle or from driving while performing an unlawful act that does not necessarily amount to a felony. In the Model Penal Code, there are no distinctions between vehicular homicide alone and vehicular homicides that include negligence. Both moving violations are included in the category of negligent homicide.

All states with the exception of Alaska, Arizona, and Montana have statutes regarding this moving violation. The relevant laws have the effect of calling the motor vehicle a potentially deadly weapon, which allows for easier criminal conviction and severe penalties. In states that do not have statutes regarding vehicular homicide, defendants may still be charged with murder or manslaughter in some situations. The victim of these moving violations may be either an individual not in the vehicle with the offending motorist, like a pedestrian, another motorist, cyclist, or the passenger who is in the motor vehicle with the offender.

Severe Moving Violations: Street Racing

Street racing is an illegal unsanctioned form of motor racing that takes place on public roads and is considered a moving violation. Street racing can either be well-planned and coordinated or spontaneous. The street racing culture is particularly in Northern California and Southern Florida.

In certain cases, the popularity of street racing has resulted in tough anti-street racing regulations which give more strict penalties, including misdemeanor offenses for attending race events, than normal moving violations and also result in dedicated anti-racing task forces. Penalties for these moving violations now can even include impoundment or even destruction of the offending motor vehicle as well as the revocation or suspension of the offender’s license.

Other Moving Violations

While the punishments for other moving violations are not as severe, you should still be aware of what is considered a moving violation and avoid them:

• Running a red traffic light or a stop sign

• Speeding, which can either be exceeding a speed limit or just driving at an unsafe speed

• Failure to yield to another motor vehicle who has right-of-way

• Failure to use signals for lane changes or turns

• Failure to drive within one single lane

• Crossing over a median, gore, or center divider

• Driving your vehicle on the shoulder of the road when it is considered illegal under specific conditions

• Failure to properly use a seat belt

• Failure to stop at a cross walk for a pedestrian

• Failure to stop for a school bus while children are exiting or boarding the bus

• Failure to secure a load to a lorry or a truck

• Illegally driving in a car pool lane

• Depending on the jurisdiction, operating a mobile device while driving

• Driving a motor vehicle outside the conditions of one’s driver’s license

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