If you need financial help with car registration, then you already know that vehicle registration is expensive. 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.
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Fortunately, there is help. 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 vehicle registration.
Disabled veterans don’t need financial help with car registration – they get it free!
It’s true! When my husband was finally awarded a 100% rating through Individual Unemployability in October 2017, this was one of my very favorite perks. We never have to pay to register our car ever again!
In Washington State, certain disabled veterans are eligible for a special Disabled American Veteran license plate. This plate can only be ordered through the mail from the Special Plate Unit in Olympia, WA. You have to submit a completed application and proof of your disability.
In order to be eligible for this, the veteran must meet ONE of the following criteria:
- Be compensated at the 100% rate for a condition that is expected to exist for more than one year OR
- Be blind in both eyes due to military service OR
- Have lost the use of both hands or one foot
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.
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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 rated 100% disabled are exempt from vehicle registration fees in the following states:
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (includes POWs, Medal of Honor recipients and surviving spouses)
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi (costs $1)
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
Veterans rated at least 60% disabled can receive free vehicle registration in these states:
Veterans rated at least 50% disabled are eligible for free vehicle registration in these states:
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Illinois (50% or a doctor’s certification that you qualify for disabled parking privileges)
- Kansas
- Kentucky (costs $1)
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Oklahoma (only a discount; must be 100% for full exemption)
- Texas
- Wyoming
These states simply request a letter stating that you have a service-connected disability. It appears that there is no minimum disability rating requirement although other criteria may apply.
In some states, only veterans who have suffered from loss (or loss of use) of at least one hand, foot or eye can receive an exception. These state adhere to this strict standard:
- Connecticut (also provides the exception to former POWs, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and veterans with traumatic brain injuries)
- Massachusetts
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
Finally, these states are even more restrictive. In these areas, you must have received an adaptive vehicle or vehicle modification grant from the VA to qualify.
Iowa and Vermont will waive the license plate issuance fee but it does not appear that they waive registration costs.
Check for other exemptions and waivers.
Some states offer exemptions for other groups, also! Because these are so varied and time-consuming to research, you’ll need to look into your own state laws or call your vehicle registration office for this information.
Alabama provides free vehicle registration to active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, Alabama National Guard and Alabama State Guard. Members of the Alabama National Guard who served for 20 or more years can also get free registration.
In addition, Alabama also provides free vehicle registration to disabled veterans who resided in Alabama at the time they joined the military and are still Alabama residents when claiming the exemption.
The exemption also applies to:
- Gold Star families who receive the “Alabama Gold Star Family” plate will also be exempt from registration fees.
- Members of a volunteer rescue squad
- Members of the Civil Air Patrol
- Volunteer firefighters.
Challenge your vehicle’s value to negotiate a lower registration.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, there are several ways that states calculate the registration fees:
- Flat rate
- Age-based
- Weight-based
- Value-based
- Other
There’s not much you can do to negotiate the flat-rate, age-based or weight-based calculations… but you may be able to negotiate a lower registration fee if you dispute the value of your vehicle.
According to NCSL, the following states have value-based registration systems:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
In these states, you may be able to argue the stated value of your vehicle to negotiate lower fees. Here’s a great example of this.
Still need financial help with car registration? Read this!
There are agencies nationwide that can assist if you need financial help with car registration. These agencies are usually small local charities.
The easiest way to find them is to contact your local United Way Resource Directory. You can find yours at 211.org.
Patsy J Mccannon
Hey Nicole, you are a GOD SEND! I never know about any of this, I am disabled and can’t afford alot of the things mentioned here, I have lived in the same place for 55 years, all my life, I am in Greene County Ga. 30642. Is there any help for me? We could use it in all areas, we do get food stamps, thank you so much, I appreciate any help you can give me…
Riley Thomson
Patsy,
I am so glad we could provide you with some good information! Have you had a chance to check out our Georgia Archive? Also, be sure to check out our tips on maximizing your food stamp benefits. I hope this helps!
-Riley
Joe
I need help during this covd19 pandemic with no job my van registration is due this month and I am already struggling to keep bills paid as well as eat and now this is due and I saw your article do you know if California has any of those title card registration resources you were just explaining in your online blog
Hannah Benge
We’re so sorry to hear this! Check out this article. https://lowincomerelief.com/need-financial-help-car-registration/ I hope this helps! -Hannah
Kimberly
This link simply leads back to this very page. Do you have anything else that could be helpful aside from this article? It focuses mainly on military, which we are not. but we are on Cal-Fresh and Medi-Cal. Thank you!
Hannah Benge
This is unfortunately all we have for free cars. But we are always looking for more resources. -Hannah
Pamela
Hello Hannah,
I am in the same predicament as Joe. I do not have the money to pay for my car registration due tomorrow. I have researched 211 thoroughly but there is no reference to any assistance for California car registration. If I don’t pay the fee, I just adds huge penalties. Do you know of ANY options? This is the age old problem that low income people who have no means of paying a debt, are penalized with huge fees. 🙁
Thank you in advance,
Pamela
Hannah Benge
We don’t know of anything available in California for car registration unfortunately. I will bump this up on the research list and we will try to get to it as soon as can. -Hannah
Mimi M.
Thank you so much for all the info you have given freely and not asked for anything in return. I’ve seen all too often people offering information such as this behind a paywall or fee. Thanks so much for all you’re doing to help strangers and those whom you don’t even know. You are a rare breed and your kind comes very few and far between. I wish the best for you and all your loved ones. I’m wondering if there is anything in South Florida that you know of that could help me register and insure my car. It’s the last thing standing between me going back to work and paying my bills so my children and I can feel safe and secure again. Thanks so much again for taking the time to read my comment and for any reply/help you may be able to offer. Please have a wonderful day and stay safe! 🙂…… If it helps at all I live in Fort Lauderdale Florida.
Hannah Benge
I will add this to the research list! In the interim you can always call 211 for help as it says at the bottom of the article. Thank you for your kind words! -Hannah
Patricia lang
I just finished a car and didnt know it was going to cost me $739 to register it and im afraid im going to end up losing everything ive work hard for this whole year i have a job but it only pays for my rent and my car payment how n were can i get help i live in Missouri
Riley Thomson
Patricia,
This is everything we have on car registration. You could also try 211.org for more resources in your area. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Doreen Fratz
We live in New Port Richey, Florida. We are on SS , need a payment plan for my car registration. Please help . Thank you
Riley Thomson
Doreen,
I went ahead and added that to the research list. In the meantime, you could try 211.org for more resources in your area. I hope this helps.
-Riley
Karen
Thank you for the info. I’m passing it along to all of my low income friends who weren’t aware of this.
Riley Thomson
Karen,
Thank you so much for sharing!
-Riley
William L Beem
I need help getting my car fixed so it will pass smog and to register my car. I bought my car during the covid-19 and now homeless living in my car with my wife and two small dogs. I’m on ssi 900 a month I have $750 in bills. Wife doesn’t work gets food stamps in tell she gets approved for ssi. My car won’t pass smog I can’t afford the price of smog or the repairs. I don’t qualify for cap or buy back. The car is not in my name. The reason is late we were due inheritance Aug but payee died and now in progress of court
Hannah Benge
We’re so sorry to hear about all the troubles! We hope that this resource helps. Let us know if you have questions -Hannah
Helen
Can i get help re-registering my car if I am on disability with a child on disability too?
Riley Thomson
Helen,
What county are you looking for resources in?
-Riley
Roberto Thomas
I Need Help With My Registration And I Live In Ardmore, Oklahoma I Tried The 211 And They Said They Didn’t Have No Funds. Idk What To Do I’m At Witts End And Don’t Know What Else To Do Cause I Can’t Get To And From Work Without Risking It All. Please Someone. God Bless You.
Riley Thomson
Roberto,
I added your area to our research list. Please check back with us for updates. Thanks.
-Riley
Samantha
You have any type of resources for Salinas, Ca monterey county
Scott
Is there anything available in Snohomish County, Washington State? Thank you for all your hard work!
Hannah Benge
I will add it to our research list. Thanks! – Hannah
Donna J Vera
Do u have any resours for contra costa county ca on vechile registration im on a fixed income and bought a car and the outstanding fees to put it in my name are $800. I cant pay that and now i have a car i bought and cant afford to put it in my name nor can i get rid of it cuz its not in my name i really wanna keep the car but dont know what to do now?
Hannah Benge
I have added this to our research list. We are sorry that you are dealing with this! -Hannah
Mariah
I have tried to fill out the low income relief application and because my vehicle is worth more than 25,000$ i don’t qualify even though I’m on medical leave from work so I don’t get paid as much as I use to. I make enough from workers compensation to pay my vehicle payments each month. With registration coming up I cant afford a payment and registration.
Patricia Manansala
My name is Patricia Manansala, and I am disabled, minority, and a woman who is in need of getting a free registration for a Audi, 2006, that I purchased on 10/8/2020 and was unable to check how much the registration would be for an unregistered Audi of 2006 station wagon that was last registered in 2018 due to the DMV being closed for the Covid-19 Pandemic. After I have purchased the car, I tried to register at Triple AAA and told that it needed to be registered at DMV and should make a payment of $2000 because it has not been registered for 3 years. I don’t have $2000 to register the car, therefore, I cannot drive the car without current registration. I need financial assistance to register my car as I definitely need to have a car to go to the doctors, grocery, and to get around for necessities. Please direct me to the proper contact number or personnel for this kind of issue or matter. Thanks so kindly, Truly, Patricia Manansala
Hannah Benge
We are so sorry this has been such a hassle. Here is a resource for you https://lowincomerelief.com/need-financial-help-car-registration/. I hope this helps! -Hannah
tonyaanderson
My daughter is struggling to make ends meet she is working but doesn’t make enough money to pay all her bills. She on the verge of losing her car she can’t afford to renew. Is there any programs in my salt lake city utah that she might turn to for help. She is a 3 years clean addict I’m so afraid of her relapsing which she told me she’s about ready to do.plrase let me know asap .
Hannah Benge
This is what we have for cars. She can call 211 for help in her area. I also recommend you check out this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cUrOLqYqc7A&feature=youtu.be if she needs other assistance. -Hannah