We’ve found programs to help with car registration! There are state programs and even nonprofits out there that may be able to help you if you can’t afford it on your own.
After all, you already know that vehicle registration is expensive and that the costs of vehicle registration make it hard for low income households to safely and legally drive. This can make it difficult to go to work, go to school, buy groceries or really do anything at all.
Our team of researchers have spent a lot of time looking into this and we’ve found a few ways that you can get help with the high costs of registration. Let’s look at some of the most common options.
Are You Eligible for Free Car Registration?
Although we’ve found many charities and programs that can help pay for your vehicle registration fees, I always recommend checking to see if you are eligible for a waiver or exemption first. Some people, especially disabled veterans, may be able to avoid paying for vehicle registration altogether thanks to some incredible government programs.
Free Vehicle Registration for Veterans
Some states provide help with car registration to eligible veterans who have a certain disability rating. In most states, you have to be 100% disabled to receive a complete waiver of your fees. However, some states like Mississippi have lower ratings.
It’s true! When my husband was finally awarded a 100% VA Disability Rating, this was one of my very favorite perks. We never have to pay to register our car ever again!
Washington State is not the only state that offers free vehicle registration to certain disabled veterans, either! I found this program in other states, too.
If you need financial help with car registration and you’re a veteran, pay special attention to this section. I’ve done a lot of research but sometimes the laws are confusing. Sometimes, they except the plate issuance fee, the registration and the taxes… but sometimes, it only waives one or two of those things. You will need to talk to your local county and state government for more information about the specific laws in your state.
Veterans may be fully exempt from vehicle registration fees in the following states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona (includes surviving spouses)
- Arkansas
- California (includes POWs, Medal of Honor recipients and surviving spouses)
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan ($5 one-time fee)
- Mississippi covers up to two vehicles for $1)
- Missouri
- Nevada ($7 one-time fee)
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
In other states, you may not be fully exempt but you may be able to avoid some of the fees or pay a reduced cost. Here are some states that appear to offer discounts to qualifying veterans:
There are other states, like Connecticut, that offer help with car registration specifically to veterans with significant disabilities. In the past, we’ve identified discounts like this available in states like Delaware, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York and South Dakota. You can call your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles or your state’s Department of Veteran Affairs for clarification on these policies.
Other Registration Waivers
Some states offer exemptions for other groups like military families, also! Because these are so varied and time-consuming to research, you’ll need to contact your local DMV to see what is available in your area.
Get Help With Car Registration
At Low Income Relief, we always recommend turning to government programs and nonprofits first because they are often the easiest, fastest, and most reliable solution. Let’s take a look at a few programs that may be able to assist you.
Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies are local organizations that provide all sorts of resources for low income families. They may be able to help you find assistance with transportation needs, including help with vehicle repairs, registration fees, or gas vouchers for those who rely on their vehicles for work or essential appointments. Each CAA operates independently, so check with your local agency to see what transportation-specific programs are available in your area.
Modest Needs
Modest Needs offers small grants for emergency expenses, including vehicle repairs and registration. Applicants can apply online and must provide documentation of the expense.
Not everyone who applies with Modest Needs will be funded, so it’s important to also look for help from other sources if you can.
Town & County Welfare Funds
General welfare funds are state or local resources intended for low income individuals who face unexpected financial emergencies. These funds are often flexible and can sometimes be used to cover unique needs like help with car registration, insurance, or repairs.
We have found many areas that offer this. You can usually find it by searching for “General Welfare,” “Town Welfare,” or “County Welfare” with the name of your area. You can also contact your local town or city hall to see if they have emergency funds available for low income or indigent residents.
School Outreach Services
Some school districts have outreach services that can help low income students and their families. For example, the Cheney Outreach Center in Washington State can help local families with car registration fees.
If you have school-age children, reach out to your school district or local family resource center to ask about assistance with vehicle expenses.
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul operates a network of local chapters that provide emergency assistance to those in need, often including help with vehicle-related expenses like registration fees or minor repairs. Many chapters focus on immediate, one-time needs and have flexible funds to assist low-income individuals facing unexpected financial burdens.
Contact your local St. Vincent de Paul office to see if they can help with car registration fees and what the application requirements are.
TANF & Diversion Cash Assistance
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is provides cash benefits for low income families with children. While TANF typically covers things like rent and food, some states allow funds to be used for urgent transportation expenses, including vehicle registration, repairs, or insurance.
Diversion Cash Assistance is a one-time cash payment option that some states offer as an alternative to ongoing TANF benefits. DCA is particularly valuable for families in immediate need who might only need short-term assistance to cover urgent expenses, like vehicle registration or car repairs. This assistance can be especially helpful for people who depend on a car for work or essential appointments.
Workforce Services Programs
Many local governments coordinate programs that are designed to help low income people get and keep better jobs. If you rely on your vehicle to get to work, you may be able to get help with your vehicle registration costs from these organizations.
Workforce services programs are typically administered through state departments of labor or workforce development. Many programs operate under names like “Workforce Solutions” or “Career One-Stop.” You can also reach out to your local 211 service and ask them to help you contact these programs.
Local Churches & Charities
Local churches frequently provide assistance to community members in need, and some may have funds specifically for emergency expenses, including vehicle registration or repairs. Reach out to churches in your area to see if they can provide or help you find additional assistance with this expense.
Other Ways to Get Help
If none of the other options on this list are able to help you, here are some strategies you may be able to use to lower the cost of your registration fees.
Challenge your vehicle’s value to negotiate a lower registration.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, some states use the value of your vehicle to determine the cost of your registration fees. This includes states like Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan and Minnesota.
This means that you may be able to negotiate a lower registration fee if you dispute the value of your vehicle. If you contest the stated value of your vehicle to negotiate lower fees.
Contact a caseworker.
If you are currently receiving assistance from another program, like SNAP, you may be able to contact your caseworker with your concerns. They may be aware of other programs in your area that can provide assistance to help you get your vehicle registered.
At the very least, they may be able to help you connect with other resources that can cover other bills (such as LIHEAP for utilities) so that you can free up some funds to cover the cost of your car registration.
Call Your Local Helpline
The easiest way to find additional resources in your area is to contact a helpline.
- 211 will connect you with your local United Way Resource Directory.
- 800-677-1116 will connect you with the Eldercare Locator, a resource directory built specifically for seniors and their families.
Relief Recap
We know firsthand what it’s like to be unable to register your car due to financial constraints. If you’re facing a financial hardship and need help covering those costs, please reach out to the organizations and programs listed in this article for relief. They’re there to help!
My name is Brenda Madigan I am a single mother that’s on disability due to my back and hip I recently purchased a car to get my daughter to doctor appointments and school and grocery store and my self to and from the chiropractor and physical therapist because I have problems walking due to my back and hip and I have to use a walker and we just found out that my daughters father has stage four lung cancer and several tumors on his brain he had to have surgery and it cost us a lot to pay someone to take us to the doctors and grocery store . So I took a loan out to get get us a car so I wiha s to pay someone every time because iot was costing me a lot well I paid my property tax and went to the DMV to register my car and didn’t have enough money to register my car and it’s due on 9-4-25 .
Brenda, we’re so sorry you’re going through such a difficult time. That’s a heavy burden, and our hearts go out to you and your family—especially with your daughter’s father’s diagnosis. For help with car registration or urgent expenses, local charities like the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul may be able to assist. We’ve also gathered a list of hardship grants that could offer additional support here: https://lowincomerelief.com/hardship-grants/
If transportation becomes a challenge again, you might find this video helpful—it shares 14 free transportation programs that may be available in your area: https://youtu.be/_O3ZSaLYL-k?si=CaxUw0nJkRlGaUSN. Wishing you strength and support through this difficult season.
I’m a singleom struggling to pay for my car insurance while trying to provide school clothes for my 4 year old I’m not one to ask for help but I’m finding myself needing a helping hand in my life right about now God bless
Hi. If you have car payments as well, one of these may be able to help:
https://lowincomerelief.com/charities-that-help-with-car-payments/
Where can disabled elderly get registration help in Colorado don’t see anything here just for veterans
Hi. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your local area. – Cat
I recently bought a used vehicle that is more than 20 years old. I am currently driving it on the bill of sale, but I will not be allowed to do that much longer but I can’t afford to pay to have it registered. I need some assistance.
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else. I hope you find something! – Cat
My car is salvaged I got hit my registration doubled
I need help paying for my car registration please
Hi. If the resources above are not useful in your area, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else.
So I’m in wa state and in the last year my car was stolen when I went to jail. And when I got out my insurance only coverd the cost of a car that is now my home and I can’t cover the cost to register hlet alone keep gas in the car to stay warm and look for work. Is there any resources that will help me register my car. I already have a court case cuz I’m past the aloud time to transfer title and I’m looking for work and struggling to get clean. Any help is much appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Eli. If the resources above are not helpful in your situation, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else that you might be eligible for.
Hi. If the resources above cannot help with your registration, it may be worth calling 211 to see what else they can suggest.
Here’s some info on cutting down on insurance costs:
https://lowincomerelief.com/save-on-insurance/
Hi my name is marina elizondo I am 40 years old , from Santa ana CA, I was given a dodge caravan as a gift from my mother in law to help my husband and I get back on our feet, right now I am doing the steps to register and transfer the van into my name.If theres anyone out there that can please send my way any resources or know of any help I can get paying for my vehicle registration fees, i would appreciate it so much, i live in santa ana California, thanks much and god bless
Wife and I have been homeless after years of bad and awful situations came upon us my knee is my problem but my wife degenative disc disease in her back and mental issues after all five children successfully moved out and grown up empty nest syndrome but losing her to leave our home and my year of losing all our kids leave my wife leaves me I lose my dad then my grandpa then my mom then breach of contract this guy wanting me on the roof we signed a contract two days before my mom passed and this guy. Wanted me on his roof the day after my mom passes and I ask him to give me a week and he blows up my phone all weekend then I call him on Wednesday and he tells me he got some one else. To do the roof that then I lose my home my business my stuff my dog gets killed by a car and I leave ceres to get my wife in Reno and then lose my storage because of family being told. A bunch of awful lies about all the issues of mine and quit helping me but the important thing is I got my wife back and there’s way more but I try to stay positive but back in Modesto after being in Reno homeless for 5 years and my wife 2001 Saturn is 850 dollars to register and no income and no help financially thank the Lord for food stamps but really need help registering this car before we lose it to impound so if. There is help we sure could use some. We we’ll be together 30 years in may shes 56 I’m 51 thank you and God bless…
Hi John. Have you tried 211? They may know of some options in your area for helping with vehicle registration.
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other options in your area.
I am EXTREMELY frustrated trying to find help with a $150 car registration fee in California, especially since I am need my car repaired and have no money for that either!!! I am a female, 80 years and it just happens to be that I have a LOT of things to deal with right now, but if I lost my car, the ability to drive it, I simply could not cope with that! PLEASE help narrow my FRUSTRATING search that keeps bouncing me all of the place and tell me exactly how and where to apply for free or low cost car service, registration fees, etc.
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other options in your area.
I’m disabled and need help getting my registration and title on my vehicle in Lawton Oklahoma by November 5th
Hi Catherine. If the resources above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else you may be eligible for.
Hello, I am not low income, at least I don’t think so. I work 40 hours, get paid $20./hr in California, but my money is stretched every week. I cannot afford my car registration which is passed due. Low income people aren’t the only ones who need help! People who aren’t considered low income can barely make it in California. It’s a scary thing to worry about getting your car impounded due to not having it registered. Where can I get help?
Hi Gai. Depending on your income level and expenses, you may still qualify for some income-based assistance.
I need help with paying for my license plate renew
Hi Carolyn. If the above resources haven’t been helpful, it may be be worth calling 211 to see if there are any programs or low-cost options that they can suggest.
Need help with my car registration
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful where you are, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.
I need help paying for my taxes and tags on my car. I owe $1295.00 because a bad check was presented to PenDot in Harrisburg PA, and now I can’t renew my car registration until that is paid & my car registration expired in March 2023
Hi. If the resources above are not helpful where you are, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.
Hello my name is Pedro and this my problem I try to sale my truck to a person the used to work with and I let him to use my truck he tell me he will make payments but he never did and o did report the truck cuz if I reported I will never can get back so the police find my truck and they take it so I went to pull out my truck they charger me $800 them when I went to try to pay my registration I find out the is $1850 cuz this guy was using fast track and I never know about it so I’m driving my truck with out registration I pay the fast track but the dmv is charging me other $1050 I have no work right now I don’t what can I do if any one can help pls any help
Hi Pedro. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any programs that can help.
Otherwise, start here to look for money to cover the cost: https://lowincomerelief.com/get-cash-now/
Well that was a total waste of time! Unless I completely missed something the state of Washington only helps VETS! I’m disabled and trying to get by on my SS w/ help from housing for my apt. Owned by a Slum Lord Company! Yes, I get the minimum in ebt a month! Looking for any and every kind of help possible! My 2 ginger cats come before me 4 food! I go without!
It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area that you may be eligible for.
I just bought a car and went to register it to fin out it’s going to cost 600.00 is there any programs to help
Hi Ruthie. If none of the resources listed above have been helpful in your case, then it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any other programs that you may be eligible for.
My son lives in Colorado and is homeless at the moment but works . He doesnt have the money to pay for his registration and make his payments and insurance and pay for occasional hotel to get out of the cold. I live in Illinois and am on disability so we struggle to get things paid. Is there any programs to help him ?
Hi Mary.
It may be worth calling 211 to see what additional resources are available in his area.
Hi Nicole, my wife and I are both disabled and need help finding any result to paying the bill we only get $1200/ month is so hard to live by we live in Wisconsin I appreciate any help you can give me
Thank you in advance
Hi Hank. Here are some additional resources to look into: https://lowincomerelief.com/help/
This is amazing. I’m not no veteran but came across your story I think your amazing to be able to help so many people that need it. Thank you .
My registration for my car is coming in April and I have to money to pay and I don’t want to get a ticket or involved with the law . Can you please help
Hi Marybeth. If the resources above are not helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any additional programs in your area.
I just purchased a car and I am a senior low income and have been in foot for over a year and I really need help paying for my registration on it after paying my bills and now a car payment I don’t have much money left if u could help on my registration so I can get it on the road and not have to walk any more would be greatly appreciated. Thank u Maureen littlecreek
Hi Maureen. If none of the resources listed above have been helpful in your case, then it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your area.
Hi I have been unable to pay my car registration this year. I live on a fixed income and I am retired. Is there anything you can do to help me?
Hi Victoria. If the resources above are not helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else you may be eligible for.
I need my vehicle for Dr visits or just as needed. I received a ticket but I have no way of paying for my insurance or tags.
Hi Peggysue. If you have already tried the resources listed above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your area that you might be eligible for.
I am looking to get help with my car resignation my husband lost his job in 2021 and unable to find a job. I am on ssdi and all of the money goes towards rent so I am needed help to pay. Please contact me
Hi Samantha. If the resources above have not been helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest that you might be eligible for.
Hi Nicole, You should mention that if your not a veteran, you have to call the United way closest to your location and ask them if they have the funds to help with the registration and tabs. Also their not always open 24/7, calls start at 9:00am. That’s as far as I got, I have to call again later. Thank you for the information, I hope they still have the funds available.
Hi Tammy. If you have already tried the resources listed above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your area.
Hi Tammy. If you have already tried the resources listed above, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your area.
i am a senor and i need help with my car registration it due on 01 15 2023 me and my wife go to the doctor all the time
Hi John. If you’ve already tried contacting the organizations mentioned above, it may be worth reaching out to 211 to see if they know of any other programs that you might qualify for.
My registration for my vehicle was due in October 2022 and I haven’t been able to pay. Therefore, I can’t drive my vehicle anymore which makes it difficult to get work. Do you know anyone who can help me please?
Hi Hazel. If the programs listed above are not helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else you would be eligible for.
I need help with my registration…I am homeless and disabled…And on a set income .My boyfriend bought a van so we had something to live in..Now he had a death in his family and had to leave the country…And I’m stuck having to move it every 3 days and keep getting tickets on it..I’m scared I’m gonna lose my place that I live in .Can anybody help me..
Hi Michelle. If the above resources have not been helpful, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of any help in your area.
Ana & Don
Dec.8,2022 at 09:45
We need help with our with Vehicle Registrations.My car was stole and they sign there
name on my tile.My car was a gift.Don’s car got broken in and they stole everything
in it even his tile.We were stay in cars and with people that was when the covic 19
pandemic.We got tickets on both cars.But the one thing that was good is we got a place.So now we have rent gas Edison deposit and they rasied rent.We have made
2 payment on both Utilities and pay our deposit .I’m on Social security Don was not working now he’s working a little bit now.It’s getting harder and we don’t want to
lose our car or house.
Hi Ana. It sounds like you might need legal assistance to get that title back in your name.
https://lowincomerelief.com/legal-aid/
Here are some other resources that may help with the extra rent: https://lowincomerelief.com/get-housing-help/
Is there any help/assistance in WI for low income families/people in need of help when i look online I never find anything like I do for other states or counties seems like our county dont offer much, we are in Jackson County WI
Hi Becky. Here are the resources we have found in Wisconsin: https://lowincomerelief.com/category/wisconsin/
Hi, my name is Quasha & I was looking for assistance getting help with vehicle registration. I’m in the Cobb county area
Hi Quasha. If the above resources aren’t helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything else in your area.
Hi. My name is Lonnie Caravello. After getting two arm injuries at work, while at work, the workman’s comp case has denied me medical attention for the last 18 months. I have lost my home, my three storage units and I’m about to lose my car because with no income I can’t pay for my cars tags. (which were up in June)
Hi Lonnie. It may be worth calling 211 to see if there are any programs in your area for helping with vehicle registration.
Here are some additional resources as well:
https://lowincomerelief.com/how-to-get-help-if-youre-homeless/
https://lowincomerelief.com/low-income-housing-with-no-waiting-list/
https://lowincomerelief.com/rental-security-deposit-assistance/
https://lowincomerelief.com/rent-relief/
Hi my name is Angelett and I’ve been disabled all my life within the past 6 years it has taken me from working the past 2 years I’ve been having surgery on my left foot which is smaller and shorter than the right and I’m finally getting back to walking which I have to learn how to do and I just got my car back running I got it inspected but I cannot afford the registration because I’m on disability and I don’t get a lot of it every month I go into overdraft just trying to survive and I wanted to know if there’s any place in Texas preferably Howe that could help me with my registration
Hi Angelett. It may be worth calling 211 to see if they know of anything in your area.
I’m single mom with two kids and my job is to get by. I can’t afford to pay full price for my registration $600. I can barely get enough gas and food for my boys. If help in someway would be nice. Why can’t they lower my registration for the one that having good driving record. I just hope to apply for something to help please. I need a car to go work. All I need is affordable payments.
Hi. It may be worth calling 211 to see if there is any help available in your area.
I am looking for help to pay my vehicle registration in California
Hi Patrick. If the above resources are not helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 to see what else they can suggest.
Or check out the cash section of our website for other ways to get the money together:
https://lowincomerelief.com/get-cash-now/
Found no help for auto registration from 211.org
It can be difficult to find! Have you asked at your local Community Action Agency?
https://lowincomerelief.com/what-is-a-community-action-agency-a-helpful-guide/
Found no help at all from 211.org
Wanting to find financial assistance to purchase car tags
Hi Gloria. If the above information isn’t helpful in your case, it may be worth calling 211 to see if there is anything else they can suggest.
I need financial help registering my vehicle. I’m 66 years old low income. I’m really need some assistance please.
I need financial help registering my car.
Nicole, I’ve needed Financial Help with my Car Registation for a long time. California has raised the car registration fees every year on older cars, which was not the case several years ago. My car is 14 years old. They use to lower the fees on older cars, but that is no longer the case. They increase the fees on my car every year from $5 to $12 more. Plus every other year I have to pay for Smog inspection which can run $30 to $50, depending on where you go. It is hard for me to pay these fees every year, living off of just Social Security. I’m 78 years old, and I need Caregiver assistance so bad. I can’t seem to find any that is affordable to. It has really been hard trying to do things for myself because I have arthritis so bad.
Plus Nicole, I was trying to find the Walmart’s Savings Catcher App you were talking about on one of your videos. I called Walmart’s Customer Service department and they told me they no longer allow customers to you this App. They canceled this service. I was disappointed to to hear that. I will try and use the IBOTTA App. Maybe that App will help me some.
Nicole, I’m so happy I discovered your website on YouTube. You give out so much good information. Keep up the good work.