Frequently Asked Questions

I just bought a used car from an individual. How do I transfer the tag?

On 1975 and newer vehicles, you must apply for title transfer by bringing the current Alabama title (signed correctly by the previous owner), along with the bill of sale, tag number or previous tag receipt. On vehicle models prior to 1975, transfer can be made with a bill of sale, tag receipt or tag number, and the vehicle. Transfers can be made at all offices of the License Commissioner. For additional information, please Click Here to read the flier "Just Bought a Vehicle."

I just bought a new (or used) car from a dealer. Will they handle all the paperwork?

The dealer is required to complete your application for title and collect sales tax due at their location. However, you must bring a copy of the title application, bill of sale, and Dealer’s Affidavit to the License Commissioner’s office to actually register the vehicle. It is your responsibility to make sure the vehicle is registered. The vehicle is not properly registered if you simply put an old tag on a newly acquired vehicle without a visit to the License Commissioner’s office.

I moved from another county in Alabama to Mobile County. What do I need to register my vehicle?
 
If you moved to Mobile County from another county located within Alabama, you will need the following documents to register your vehicle:
 
1. Out of county tag registration receipt
2. Owner’s Alabama driver’s license
3. The tag off of your vehicle (if it is personalized, a specialty tag or if the tag has  not expired).

I am a Mobile County resident, and I just acquired a vehicle. How many days do I have to title and register this vehicle?

Alabama law provides that any person acquiring a new or used motor vehicle shall within 20 calendar days from the date of acquisition, obtain a license plate. In order to register a vehicle subject to the Alabama title law, a title application must be completed before a registration can be processed.
Why are there differences in the cost of renewing my tag from year to year?

There may be several reasons for differences in the cost of your tag renewal:

1.  Normally, a vehicle’s value will depreciate, reducing the assessed value of the vehicle

2.  You may have moved into a new jurisdiction with a different tax rate

3.  The tag you bought last year may have been pro-rated for a partial year. If so, your assessment this year will be higher since it will reflect a full year

4.  Occasionally, the company which provides market values to the Department of Revenue assigns the same or higher values if a vehicle is a popular used vehicle.



What is the penalty for late renewal of a tag?

You should renew your tag by the last business day of your renewal month. The penalty for failure to renew within the time allowed by law is $15.00 plus 12% annualized interest to the date of payment.
Will you accept a check for payment?

Yes. In response to an overwhelming number of returned checks, the License Commissioner’s Office has check acceptance procedures as follows:

1. Checks are made payable to Mobile County License Commission

2. Complete name and a Mobile County address MUST be imprinted on check (no exceptions).

3. Starter kit or counter checks are not accepted.

4. A valid Alabama driver’s license MUST be presented to the clerk.

Can I pay for and renew a tag for someone else?

Yes, if you have permission from the owner, and present the following:

The owner’s check (signed by the owner)

A copy of their driver’s license

Photo ID of the person presenting the check

We consider your possession of the owner’s courtesy renewal card as consent for you to renew the registration.

Can I pay for and renew a tag for a relative using my check?

Yes. If you are transacting business for a relative, and paying with your check, the following is required:

The last name and address on the check must be the same as the owner’s information on the registration

The driver’s license of the presenter of the check

If you write a check to the License Commissioner’s office and it is returned for any reason, you will lose your privilege to write checks to this office in the future.

Other restrictions may apply.

 

What credit cards do you accept?

Visa and MasterCard only. The last names of the card’s owner and registrant must be the same. The card’s owner must also be present.

I’ve lost my title. How do I get a replacement?

An individual who can no longer find his/her title may apply:  At an office location of the License Commissioner. The cost is $18.00 payable by VISA, MasterCard, check or cash

Apply directly to the Alabama Department of Revenue – for a Replacement Title Application (Click Here). The mailing address is: PO Box 327699, Montgomery, AL 36132. The cost for applying directly to the Department of Revenue is $15.00 payable by money order or certified funds only.

In order to sell a vehicle, the seller must provide a clear title to the buyer within 20 days from the date of purchase. A vehicle cannot be registered until a title has been provided to the buyer.

If the lost title had a lien on it, you will need to bring with you (or mail with the Replacement Title Application) an original lien release letter from the lienholder, on the company’s stationery, signed and notarized.

For more information regarding this service, you may contact our office at 574-8551.

 

How is property tax collected on your vehicle?

Property taxes are collected in advance.  Example:

Renewal

Bob Smith renews his tag in September, 2009. He will now pay taxes in advance from October, 2009 through September, 2010.

 

Purchasing a new car:

Private individuals buying a new car or pick-up truck (under 8,000 lbs GVW) for personal use will have their taxes deferred until their next registration or renewal month.  When you purchase a new vehicle, you don’t pay your taxes until your renewal month. You then pay taxes due from the date of purchase as well as taxes for the following year.


Example: 

Mary Jones purchases a new vehicle in September, 2009.  If Mary traded in a vehicle, she will take the tag off the traded-in vehicle and go to the nearest License Commissioner’s office to register the new vehicle in her name. She will pay the transfer fee, but she will not be required to pay property tax at that time.  She may qualify for a Receipt for Credit for prepaid taxes on the traded-in vehicle. When Mary renews her tag in August, 2010, she will pay property tax from September, 2009 through August, 2011.

Purchasing a used vehicle:

For an individual purchasing a used vehicle, it is important to obtain the most current tag receipt for that used vehicle and bring it with you when you register the vehicle. Otherwise, you will be responsible for paying any unpaid taxes by the previous owner. If back taxes are due, they must also be paid at the time of registration. Used vehicles must be addressed on a case by case basis. Property taxes are based on the make, model and age of the vehicle. Property taxes must be collected in advance.

Exception:

Mr. Anderson acquires a vehicle on January 5, 2009 (during his renewal month). Registration fees and taxes would be collected for the period January 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010.

How do I obtain a copy of my tag registration receipt?

• If you have lost your tag registration receipt, you may obtain a duplicate copy from the Customer Service Department at the Michael Square office (corner of Azalea Road and Michael Boulevard).

• Only the registered owner can apply by completing the Request for Motor Vehicle form (Drivers Privacy Protection Act).

• Fee: $1.00 per copy

• For additional questions, please call Customer Service Department at (251) 574-8563.

When I sell or dispose of my vehicle, does the license plate remain on the vehicle?

Effective January 1, 1998, license plates are to be removed by the registrant upon sale or disposal of the vehicle, for possible transfer to a replacement vehicle.

Obtaining a Receipt for Credit

In order to receive a Receipt for Credit (Click Here for the form) one of the following criteria must be met:

  •          Selling of a vehicle (bring copy of bill of sale, tag or tag receipt)

  •          Trading of a vehicle and purchase of a new one (bring copy of bill of sale, tag or tag receipt)

  •          Total destruction of a vehicle (bring letter from insurance company with complete vehicle description information, VIN, the date vehicle deemed a total loss, on company stationery, signed by the agent)

  •          Theft without recovery (bring letter from insurance company with complete vehicle description information, VIN, on company stationery, signed by the agent)

  •          Or removed from the state before renewal date (bring copy of out of state registration, previous Alabama registration, original Power of Attorney form, completed and notarized, and the original Credit Voucher Affidavit)

Since property tax on vehicles is collected in advance when customers purchase or renew their tags, customers can receive a Receipt for Credit for prepaid taxes when they sell or trade a vehicle before the next renewal date.  Proper documentation is required for any Receipt for Credit.    

  •            In no event shall a receipt for credit or credit voucher be issued later than twelve months after the date a motor vehicle is sold, traded, totally destroyed, permanently removed from Alabama, or stolen without recovery.
          

  •            New regulations require a credit voucher to be redeemed immediately at the time a customer registers a vehicle. 
     

  •            If the credit voucher exceeds the amount of tax due or cannot be applied to a tag bill, any balance can be refunded to the customer through a Receipt for Credit.  Checks for credit are processed by the 20th of the following month.  The law calls for the issuing office to collect a $2.00 redemption fee on credit vouchers and receipts for credit checks.
     

  •            Credit Vouchers can only be used on the tax portion of the tag bill.
     

  •            Receipt for credit and credit voucher must be redeemed in the county where the tax was originally paid.
     

  •            If a customer has moved to another Alabama county and sold a vehicle, a receipt for credit will be issued for any unapplied pre-paid taxes in Mobile County.

  •            If a customer moves and registers his/ her vehicle in another Alabama county, no credit is issued.
     

  •            If a customer moves out of state, credit will be issued.
     

  •            Under the new law, a credit voucher can be transferred to an immediate family member who qualifies as a dependent.

In what months are license plates renewed?

Alabama registers vehicles under a staggered registration system, January through November, based on the first letter of the owner’s last name. Motor vehicle registrations expire on the last day of the designated renewal month. For example:  someone whose last name begins with the letter J, K, or R is required to renew his/her vehicle registration in the month of August, and the previous registration expires on August 31. Leased, commercial and fleet vehicles are subject to renewal in the months of October and November and the registrations for these type vehicles expire on November 30; provided, vehicles registered pursuant to the International Registration Plan (IRP) are assigned renewal registration months by the Department of Revenue in Montgomery. For a complete list of the staggered registration system, Click Here .