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The Difference: Car Title vs. Registration

When you own a vehicle, a lot of documentation goes along with it. Two of the most important documents are your car title and your registration. It’s always important that you have a firm understanding of what each of these documents means and why they are essential. You’ll also want to know what you need to do when it comes to registering and transferring titles. If you need help with title transfer, for example, you might want to choose a DMV alternative based in South Florida.

What is the Car Title?

The car title is the documentation that indicates and establishes the owner of a registered vehicle. The title shows the owner of the vehicle along with the make, model, year, VIN, and whether the vehicle has been deemed a total loss at any point in its history.

Whenever a car is sold, the seller or current owner of the vehicle will need to transfer the ownership of the vehicle to the buyer. If you pay off your car loan and become the sole owner of your vehicle, you will then receive a title that lists you as the owner rather than the former lienholder.

If a vehicle has multiple owners, all of them will need to be indicated on the title. There are several different car title types.

  • Clean Title – Vehicles that have not been in accidents or been damaged to the point of being considered a total loss.

  • Clear Title – Vehicles that have only one undisputed owner. Cars that are leased or financed won’t have a clear title since the lessor and the lienholder both have a stake in the vehicle.

  • Salvage Title – Salvage titles are for cars that are considered a total loss and that can’t be driven until they’ve been rebuilt.

  • Rebuilt Title – These titles are for vehicles that have been restored after having been damaged.

What is a Car Registration?

Car registration proves that you’ve registered your car with the state and have paid any taxes and fees that are required. After registering the vehicle, you’ll usually get your license plate and registration sticker. You will have to renew your registration every year to be in compliance.

If you don’t have your vehicle registered, it means you can’t drive it on public roads. If you’re pulled over by the police, you can be issued a hefty fine for driving without registration.

When you fill out your registration form, you’ll need to include your VIN, driver’s license ID number, and the current license plate number of the vehicle. The cost of registering your vehicle will vary based on the type and the size of the vehicle. You’ll want to check the latest information on the costs, as it can change over time.

If you don’t like spending a lot of time at the DMV, you’ll want to look into using a DMV alternative based in South Florida. These services can often make the process of transferring titles and taking care of other paperwork faster and easier.


Auto Tags of Oakland Park is the best place to find all your Broward tag and title needs. Why waste your time at the Broward County DMV when you can get all your tag renewal processes handled at the best Broward county tag agency. For all Broward tag renewals and much more, come to Auto Tags of Oakland Park today.


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