Ready, Set, Tag!

All vehicles purchased at a dealership or through private sale have two business days to pre-register with the state. Oklahomans will then have ten days from the date of sale to get a metal license plate with pre-registration decals on their vehicle. Oklahomans will still have two months from the date of sale to fully register their vehicle.

*The pre-registration process does not apply to vehicles purchased before September 1, 2024.

Three steps to vehicle registration:

Pre-Register Your Vehicle

Pre-register your vehicle with the state within two business days from the date of sale. If purchasing from a dealer, the dealer will process the pre-registration for vehicle buyers. For private vehicle sales, the pre-registration information must be submitted by either the buyer or the seller.

Receive a Plate & Pre-Registration Decals

Two pre-registration decals will arrive in the mail. If you do not have an existing metal license plate, a new one will be sent with the decals attached. Ensure you have a metal license plate with pre-registration decals on your vehicle within ten days of the purchase.

Fully Register Your Vehicle

You still have two months from the date of purchase to complete your full registration by obtaining the vehicle title, paying sales and excise tax and getting the receipt of registration in-person with a licensed operator.

Have questions?

Skip to our Frequently Asked Questions for quick answers!

Note

Oklahomans have two business days from the date of sale to submit pre-regisration information.

Step 1:

Pre-Register Your Motor Vehicle

The pre-registration process will be initiated by the dealer in a commercial sale or by the buyer or seller in a private sale.

For Dealership Sales

In a dealership sale, the dealer submits the necessary information for pre-registration at the time of initial purchase and will provide a 10-day temporary paper tag. If the buyer is keeping their metal license plate from their previously owned vehicle, they will place that on their vehicle instead.

Within ten days, the buyer will receive two pre-registration decals and, if needed, a metal license plate in the mail from the dealer-selected licensed operator. The buyer must replace the 10-day temporary paper tag with the metal license plate and decals within those ten days.

For Private Sales

In a private sale, either the buyer or seller must pre-register the vehicle online at OkCars, or in-person at Service Oklahoma Headquarters in Oklahoma City or a licensed operator location (formerly called a Tag Agency).

If completing pre-registration online, the buyer will receive two pre-registration decals and, if needed, a metal license plate in the mail from the selected licensed operator. If completing pre-registration in-person, the selected licensed operator will provide the buyer with two pre-registration decals, and, if needed, a metal license plate at the time of completing pre-registration.

Gather the Following Vehicle Information

To pre-register your vehicle, you'll need the following:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Vehicle year, make, model and type
• Plate number (if transferring a plate)
• Date of sale
• Buyer name, address, city, state, zip, email and phone number

Note

The pre-registration process applies to all vehicles purchased in the state of Oklahoma regardless of whether the vehicle will be fully registered in another state, jurisdiction or with a tribe. To register a vehicle that was transferred from or purchased outside the state of Oklahoma, please visit our Out-of-State Transfers page.

Step 2:

Place Pre-Registration Decals on Your Motor Vehicle

You'll receive two pre-registration decals and, if needed, a metal license plate in the mail. A metal license plate and the two pre-registration decals should be affixed to your newly purchased vehicle within ten days of the sale to indicate the vehicle information has been sent to the state, but the vehicle has not yet been fully registered.

Did You Know?

Oklahoma license plates are assigned to people, not vehicles. Many buyers will transfer their existing metal license plate and associate it to their newly purchased vehicle.

Transferring an Existing Metal Plate

If you are transferring your existing metal plate, you will receive two pre-registration decals in the mail. Simply add the pre-registration decals to your existing metal plate and place the plate on your vehicle within ten days of purchase.

Not Transferring an Existing Metal Plate

Buyers who are not transferring an existing metal license plate will receive a standard metal license plate with two pre-registration decals in the mail that should be placed on their vehicle within ten days of purchase.

Step 3:

Register Your Motor Vehicle

After pre-registration, you still have two months from the date of purchase to obtain the title, pay sales and excise tax and fully register the vehicle. Full vehicle registrations can be completed at Service Oklahoma Headquarters in Oklahoma City or a licensed operator location (formerly called a Tag Agency). Receipt of registration is required to be kept in the vehicle at all times.

How to Complete the Full Registration Process

Gather the necessary documents and follow the steps below based on your recent purchase

• Obtain a title within 2 months of purchase

For a New Vehicle Purchase:

• Proof of Oklahoma insurance
• Form 701-6 - Application for Oklahoma Certificate of Title
• Oklahoma title
• Vehicle purchase agreement
• Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO) from the dealer (if applicable)
• Valid driver license
• Form 729 - Odometer Disclosure Statement
  • Only required for vehicles made in 2011 or newer with an odometer*

  For a Used Vehicle Purchase:

  • Proof of Oklahoma insurance
  • Oklahoma Title
  • Properly Assigned Purchase Agreement (or Form 722-1 if purchased from a private seller)
  • Valid driver license
  • Form 729 - Odometer Disclosure Statement
    • Only required for vehicles made in 2011 or newer with an odometer*

    At Your Visit

    Your fees will be finalized. Once payment is made and your documents are processed, you will be given the standard month and year decals to be placed on your license plate signifying your vehicle has been fully registered.

    In the case of a lien, your title will be sent to your lienholder. If there is no lien, your title will be mailed to you within 2 business days as part of your registration.

    Receipt of registration is required to be kept in the vehicle at all times.

    Where to Complete the Full Registration Process

    Visit Service Oklahoma on N Classen in Oklahoma City or a licensed operator location

    Note

    If you would like to purchase a specialty plate, one will be ordered for you at your visit and mailed to you. Please allow up to 20 days for shipping and processing. Learn more about specialty plates.

    New Iconic Oklahoma Plate is Here!

    Starting Sept. 1, 2024, Oklahoma’s standard issue license plate will have a new design. Unlike previous plate redesigns, Oklahomans will not automatically be reissued the newly designed plate. Anyone who would like the new Iconic Oklahoma Plate can pay a $4 plate replacement fee with their annual vehicle registration renewal or $9 outside of their annual renewal at a local licensed operator.

    Are you a Dealership?

    Resources to support dealers are available on our Ready, Set, Tag Auto-Dealer page.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What vehicles are exempt from pre-registration?

    The following vehicle registration types are not subject to pre-registration under SB2035:

    • ATV / UTV
    • Boat and outboard motor
    • Commercial trailer
    • Commercial rental trailer
    • Construction machinery
    • Farm trailer
    • Forest trailer
    • Manufactured home
    • Mobile chapel
    • Off-road motorcycle
    • Private trailer
    • Special mobilized trailer
    • Trailer exempt

    What is the new vehicle registration process?

    When the law takes effect on September 1, 2024:

    • Dealers and those participating in private vehicle sales will have two business days from the date of sale to submit pre-registration information.
    • A Service Oklahoma licensed operator (selected during pre-registration) will then send a metal license plate and two pre-registration decals to the customer within ten days of the sale.
    • The customer must replace the paper tag with the metal plate and pre-registration decals within ten days of vehicle purchase.
    • The pre-registration process applies to all vehicles (new or used) purchased in the state of Oklahoma on or after September 1, 2024, regardless of whether the vehicle will be fully registered in another state, jurisdiction or with a tribe.
    • Vehicles purchased in Oklahoma prior to September 1, 2024 do not have to be pre-registered and their temporary paper tags will remain valid for two months rather than ten days. The buyers of those vehicles must still complete full registration within two months of purchase.

    What do I need to do if I’m buying a vehicle from a dealership?

    The dealer will handle pre-registration. All the customer has to do is affix the metal plate with the pre-registration decals onto their newly-purchased vehicle within ten days of the sale.

    To go into more detail:

    • The dealer will have two business days from the date of sale to submit pre-registration information to Service Oklahoma. The dealer selects the licensed operator that will process the information.
    • The customer will then receive an email confirming that the dealer submitted the pre-registration.
    • Next, the selected licensed operator will mail a metal license plate with two pre-registration decals attached, to the customer.
    • All the customer has to do is affix the metal license plate onto their vehicle within ten days of the purchase date, replacing the temporary paper tag.

    If the customer chooses to transfer their current metal license plate to their newly purchased vehicle, the licensed operator will only send the pre-registration decals. The customer will then attach the decals onto their existing metal license plate. This must be done within ten days of buying the car.

    What do I need to do if I’m buying a vehicle from a private seller?

    • The buyer and the private seller decide who submits the pre-registration information on the OkCARS website. The submission must be completed within two business days from the date of sale.
    • If the private seller submits the pre-registration information, the buyer will receive an email asking them to confirm the info. But if the buyer submits the pre-registration information, no additional confirmation will be necessary.
    • During online pre-registration, the submitter will be asked to pick a licensed operator, who will mail a metal license plate and two pre-registration decals to the buyer once the information is processed. If the buyer is transferring a metal license plate, they will recive only the pre-registration decals in the mail.
    • Alternatively, the buyer can complete pre-registration in person at a licensed operator location within two business days from the date of sale. Taking this route means the buyer will also receive the metal license plate and pre-registration decals in person rather than through the mail.
    • The buyer will then have ten days from the date of sale to affix the metal license plate and pre-registration decals onto their newly-purchased vehicle, replacing the temporary paper tag. The ten-day window remains the same regardless of whether the pre-registration was completed online or in person.

    Buyer Completes Pre-Registration Process:

    Private Sale Pre-Registration Request Without an Account:

    Is pre-registration required if I bought a car in Oklahoma but do not intend to ever fully register my vehicle in the state?

    Yes. The pre-registration process applies to all vehicles (new or used) purchased in the state of Oklahoma on or after September 1, 2024, regardless of whether the vehicle will be fully registered in another state, jurisdiction or with a tribe.

    Vehicles purchased in Oklahoma prior to September 1, 2024 do not have to be pre-registered and their temporary paper tags will remain valid for two months rather than ten days.

    If I’m a private seller, what do I need to do?

    • During a private sale, the buyer and the private seller decide who submits the pre-registration information on the OkCARS website. The submission must be completed within two business days from the date of sale.
    • If the private seller submits the pre-registration information, the buyer will receive an email asking them to confirm the info. But if the buyer submits the pre-registration information, no additional confirmation will be necessary.
    • During online pre-registration, the submitter will be asked to pick a licensed operator, who will mail a metal license plate and two pre-registration decals to the buyer once the information is processed.
    • The private seller will keep the license plate that was previously affixed to the vehicle because in Oklahoma, plates are assigned to people, not automobiles. The buyer will be responsible for attaching a new plate to the vehicle, by either transferring an existing plate or getting a new plate through the pre-registration process.

    How to Submit Documentation for Customer Account Approval:

    Creating a Customer Account on OkCARS:

    Disassociating a Vehicle from the Customer Account:

    How to Associate a Vehicle with a Customer Account:

    Private Sales: Pre-Registration as the Seller:

    What are pre-registration decals?

    Pre-registration decals indicate that vehicle sale information has been sent to the state, but the vehicle is not fully registered. Buyers must get a metal license plate and pre-registration decals on their vehicle within ten days of the date of purchase and will then have two months from the date of purchase to complete full registration.

    What pre-registration decals will I receive?

    Buyers will receive two pre-registration decals: one that shows the month the decals expire (two months from the date of vehicle purchase) and another decal that says, “TEMPORARY.” The month decal should be placed on the top left corner of the metal license plate while the “TEMPORARY” decal should be placed on the top right corner.

    Once the buyer completes registration, they will receive the standard month and year decals to place over the pre-registration decals on the metal license plate.

    Where do I put the pre-registration decals?

    The month decal should be placed on the top left corner of the metal license plate (where the standard month decal typically goes) while the “TEMPORARY” decal should be placed on the top right corner of the plate (where the year decal typically goes).

    Once the buyer completes registration, they will receive the standard month and year decals to place over the pre-registration decals on the metal license plate.

    What if I want to keep my existing plate?

    Instead of getting a new metal license plate during the pre-registration process, the buyer can transfer their current plate to their newly-purchased vehicle. The existing plate information will be submitted to Service Oklahoma and the buyer will only receive the two pre-registration decals, which must be affixed to the buyer’s existing metal plate within ten days of the vehicle purchase.

    How long will I have to complete my full registration after I pre-register my vehicle?

    Oklahomans will still have two months from the date of purchase to complete their vehicle registration and will then replace the pre-registration decals with the standard month and year decals.

    Can I skip pre-registration and complete full registration immediately after I buy a vehicle?

    If a customer purchased their vehicle in a private sale, they could skip pre-registration and immediately register their vehicle by visiting a licensed operator or Service Oklahoma’s headquarters at 6015 N. Classen Blvd. in Oklahoma City.

    Oklahomans who purchased their vehicle at a dealership cannot skip pre-registration because the dealer completes the pre-registration process.

    Can I pick one licensed operator for pre-registration but choose a different licensed operator for full registration?

    Yes, Oklahomans are free to choose their preferred licensed operator for each transaction.

    Will members of tribal nations need to pre-register their vehicles?

    Pre-registration is required for all vehicles purchased in Oklahoma on or after Sept. 1, 2024, even if the customer plans to complete full registration with their respective tribes. Customers with existing Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation license plates can transfer their plates to their newly purchased vehicles during pre-registration.

    All other tribal nation members will need to get new plates during pre-registration rather than transfer their existing plates. This means dealers will need to provide temporary paper tags for their vehicles while they wait for licensed operators to mail out their Oklahoma metal plates and pre-registration decals.

    What if I purchased a vehicle prior to September 1, 2024?

    All vehicles purchased in Oklahoma before September 1, 2024, will not have to be pre-registered because their temporary paper tags will still be valid for two months rather than ten days. This means that someone who bought a car in Oklahoma on August 31 will not have to get a metal license plate and pre-registration decals in ten days. However, that person must still complete full registration within two months of purchase.

    What if I live in Oklahoma and bought a vehicle from out of state?

    Out-of-state sales are not required to undergo the pre-registration process. Visit our Vehicle Registration page for steps on how to register a vehicle in Oklahoma after buying it from another state.

    Does the new pre-registration process mean I have to pay my fees earlier than before?

    No, a vehicle buyer does not pay anything during pre-registration. Only once they fully register their vehicles within two months from the date of purchase will they have to pay the tag, title and tax.

    Is there a fee associated with pre-registration?

    There is no fee associated with pre-registration.

    What is the penalty if I don't pre-register my vehicle?

    Once the law takes effect on September 1, 2024, failure to affix a metal plate and pre-registration decals within ten days of the vehicle purchase may result in citations, fines, and/or penalties at the discretion of law enforcement.

    Vehicles purchased in Oklahoma prior to September 1, 2024 do not have to be pre-registered and their temporary paper tags will remain valid for two months rather than ten days. The buyers of those vehicles must still complete full registration within two months of purchase.

    What is Senate Bill 2035 (Mason Treat Act)?

    SB2035, also known as the Mason Treat Act, signifies a fundamental shift in the way license plates are issued in the state. Starting on September 1, 2024. This new legislation will limit the amount of time temporary paper tags are on vehicles, with the goal of improving road safety and compliance.

    The law is named after Senate Pro Tempore Greg Treat’s son, who was critically injured in January 2024 during a routine traffic stop. Canadian County Deputy Jose Tayahua-Mendoza was also seriously hurt.

    Under this law, a temporary paper tag will only be good for ten days after the purchase of a vehicle in Oklahoma. Within that time frame, buyers must get a metal license plate and two temporary decals through a new pre-registration process.

    After the pre-registration is completed, buyers will still have two months from the date of purchase to fully register their vehicles. Only then will they be required to pay the tag, title and tax.

    Who should customers contact if they do not receive their pre-registration decals and metal license plates within ten days of vehicle purchase?

    Customers should contact the licensed operator selected by the dealer during the submission of the pre-registration information. The contact details for that licensed operator will be in a confirmation email that the customer receives after the pre-registration information was submitted. Alternatively, customers can contact Service Oklahoma at (405) 522-7000 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

    After a dealer picks one licensed operator for pre-registration, can the customer choose a different licensed operator for full registration?

    Yes, a customer can choose another licensed operator for full registration if the location is more convenient for them.

    Can I complete the pre-registration process if my Driver License is suspended or revoked?

    While a suspended or revoked driver license restricts driving privileges, it does not impact an Oklahoman’s ability to purchase a vehicle. You can use se your existing driver license number during pre-registration after you purchase a vehicle.