Your car insurance and registration need to be from the same state.

Vehicle registrations and auto insurance can be tough to navigate, and you may find yourself asking: Can my car be registered in one state and insured in another?

No, your car cannot be registered in one state and insured in another. Generally, your car should be both registered and insured in your state of legal residence. If you have recently moved, you have some time to switch your car insurance policy (but do it ASAP).

This article describes some of the common scenarios for having a car registered and insured in different states and explains how to switch your insurance when the time comes. If you need to make a switch, read our round-up of the best car insurance companies and compare quotes using the tool below.

In this article:

Insurance, License, And Registration In Different States

Your car should not be registered in one state and insured in another. Insuring your car in a state where you don’t reside is fraud. Insurance fraud carries heavy penalties, the least of which is that your claims will be denied.

Your driver’s license, registration, and car insurance need to match. In many states, you can’t even register your car until you’ve provided proof of insurance. Even states that allow you to register a car without proof of insurance require you to provide proof of insurance within a certain timeframe.

If you move to a different state, you’re required to register your vehicle with that state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The timeframe in which you must do so varies by state. If you are visiting a state temporarily, you do not need to register your vehicle. All states allow you to drive an out-of-state car for a certain number of consecutive days (usually around a month).

State	Timeframe to Register Your Vehicle
Alabama	30 days
Alaska	10 days
Arizona	15 days
Arkansas	30 days
California	20 days
Colorado	90 days
Connecticut	60 days
Delaware	60 days
District of Columbia	30 days
Florida	10 days
Georgia	30 days
Hawaii	30 days
Idaho	90 days
Illinois	30 days
Indiana	60 days
Iowa	30 days
Kansas	90 days
Kentucky	10 days
Louisiana	30 days
Maine	30 days
Maryland	60 days
Massachusetts	As soon as you become an MA resident
Michigan	As soon as you become an MI resident
Minnesota	60 days
Mississippi	30 days
Missouri	30 days
Montana	60 days
Nebraska	30 days
Nevada	30 days
New Hampshire	60 days
New Jersey	60 days
New Mexico	60 days
New York	30 days
North Carolina	When previous registration expires or gainful employment in NC is accepted, whichever comes first
North Dakota	20 days
Ohio	30 days
Oklahoma	30 days
Oregon	30 days
Pennsylvania	20 days
Rhode Island	30 days
South Carolina	45 days
Tennessee	30 days
Texas	30 days
Utah	60 days
Vermont	60 days
Virginia	30 days
Washington	30 days
West Virginia	30 days
Wisconsin	60 days
Wyoming	30 days

After you establish residency in a new state, changing your license, registration, and auto insurance should be one of your first priorities.

Car Insurance

Changing your insurance policy is usually very easy. Simply contact your auto insurance carrier and explain that you’ve moved. Many providers let you change your policy online in a matter of minutes. Insurance requirements and discounts vary by state, so you may be able to get lower insurance rates with your new provider.

There are two states where car insurance is not mandatory: Virginia and New Hampshire. These states have their own special rules for insurance, but they do both require you to register your vehicle.

Driver’s License

The process for obtaining a new license is different in each state. Contact your local DMV for details. In some cases, it is simply a matter of paperwork if you already have a license in another state.

In some states, the requirements are more burdensome. You might need to pass a written test. If you do need to take such a test, it is strongly advised that you spend some time studying first. The test may ask about obscure rules of which you are unaware. For example, do you know how old you need to be to ride in the back of a pickup truck in North Carolina?

Most state DMVs will provide free review materials online or at local offices.

Car Registration

Vehicle registration is also different between states but is usually just a matter of paperwork and a fee. Most states require that you have in-state insurance and an in-state driver’s license before you can register your car and get a license plate, so you should take care of those things.

What If I Split My Time Between States?

Can your car be registered in one state and insured in another if you split your time between states? You may be a snowbird and spend your winters in one place and summers in another. You may commute between states for work. You may live in Kansas City. In these cases, having your car registered in one state and insured in another may not be as much of an issue.

If you're frequently driving in multiple states or have a vacation home you frequently visit, discuss the particulars with your insurer. The best thing you can do is accurately inform your car insurance agent of your situation and work out a personalized solution.

Failing to inform your auto insurance carrier of your multi-state status is a bad idea. It may save money in the short term, but when it comes time to file a claim, the truth will come out. You don’t want to pay into an insurance policy for years only to have your claim denied when you need it most.

Noteworthy Exceptions When Insuring Your Car In A Different State

In general, your car cannot be registered in one state and insured in another, but there are some exceptions to that rule.

Military Personnel

If you are a member of the military, the rules are a little different for you. Servicepeople declare residency in the state to which they intend to return after deployment. Laws differ in each state, but almost all states make registration exceptions for active-duty military. As long as your vehicle registration is current in your declared home state, you do not usually need to register in a state in which you are stationed.

Temporary Moves

For temporary moves, you may not have to change your registration, depending on the length of your stay (see table above). If you are working in your temporary state, be aware that most states consider employment a means of establishing residency and will likely require you to change your car insurance and registration.

College Students

If you are a college student attending school out of state, you will probably need to register any vehicle you bring with you. Speak with your auto insurance provider directly to find the best solution. If you need to leave your car behind but need to keep it insured, there are options for reducing fees, like low-mileage discounts and parked car insurance.

If you are unhappy with your car insurance provider or simply searching for a cheaper option, make sure that you compare quotes from a variety of different providers. Use our auto insurance quote comparison tool to get started, and be sure to look into our top recommended providers.

#1 USAA: Best For Military

In our USAA auto insurance review, we rate the company 5.0 stars out of 5.0 for a reason. USAA scored 5 out of 5 on the J.D. Power 2019 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study^SM. It’s easy to file claims through the USAA mobile app, which has an average 4.6-star review on Google Play. USAA also boasts an A++ rating from AM Best, the strongest rating possible.

USAA auto insurance is only available to military members and their families. If you are eligible to purchase USAA insurance, we think there is no better choice. Offering a range of discount options, USAA provides full coverage auto insurance that is both comprehensive and inexpensive.

#2 Geico: Best Overall

We rate Geico auto insurance 4.5 stars out of 5.0 in our Geico auto insurance review. We consider it the best all-around provider because of its nationwide availability, affordable rates, and easy claims process. Geico scored a 3 out of 5 on the J.D. Power Auto Claims Study, and AM Best gives Geico an A++ rating.

Geico’s DriveEasy app allows customers to track driving habits and reduce their premiums. This and other quality discounts make Geico one of the lowest-cost providers available. It’s a great place to start when comparing auto insurance quotes.

FAQ: Registration And Insurance Between States

Can my car be registered in one state and insured in another?

You almost always need to have your license, registration, and insurance in the same state. You usually cannot register a vehicle without first providing proof of insurance. Most states have a 10- to 60-day grace period until you need to update your insurance and registration after moving.

Can I drive a car registered in a different state?

You must register your car in the state where you reside. When you visit other states, you are allowed to drive your car that is registered in your home state. Most states have rules for how long you can continue to operate a vehicle registered outside of the state. Check local laws, but the average is about 30 days.

How long do I have to register a vehicle with out-of-state plates?

How long you have to register a vehicle with out-of-state plates is different from state to state. In most cases, you will be fined if you do not register your vehicle within a certain amount of time after moving.

Does my license have to match my vehicle registration?

Your driver’s license needs to match your vehicle registration. In most states, you cannot register a vehicle without holding a state-issued license.

Can you have out-of-state car insurance?

Most auto insurance policies in the U.S. will cover you when driving in all 50 states and Canada. However, you cannot buy out-of-state car insurance. In most cases, you need to buy car insurance in your state of residence.

Can you live in one state and have car insurance in another?

No, you need to have car insurance in the state where you live. If you move, you need to update your insurance company with your new address as soon as you can. The company may deny your claims if you are living in another state.

Can a car be owned by one person and insured by another?

Yes, a vehicle can be owned and insured by two separate people. You’ll need to call an insurance agent directly to set this up. It’s known as non-owners insurance and is applicable in different situations.

Do you have to live at the same address for car insurance?

Auto insurance companies sometimes allow people living at separate addresses to have the same policy, but this is not the rule. You’ll have to contact the company directly and have a good reason to include someone at another address on your insurance coverage.