Alaska Vehicle Registration

General Registration

All vehicles in Alaska must be registered unless there is a proven exemption by law. These vehicles can be purchased from Alaska dealers or outside of Alaska. Check the details below for each case.

Purchased from Alaska Dealers

To register a vehicle purchased from an Alaska dealer for the first time, the individual must submit the following:

• Proof of Identity, e.g., driver's license
• Title (if there is no lienholder)
• Application Form V1 (Form 812 )
• Liability insurance with minimum coverage amounts:
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death of any one person
• $100,000 for bodily injury or death for any accident
• $25,000 for property damage

Failure to have the required liability insurance may result in the suspension of a driver's license.

• Current out-of-state registration for the following cases:
• Individuals working or establishing residency in Alaska must register within ten days of entering or starting a job in the state.
• Non-residents who want to operate a vehicle for up to 60 days must register the vehicle in Alaska.
• Registration fees (Check how much the fees are using this automatic calculator.)

If an individual has purchased a new or used vehicle from an Alaska dealer, the dealer will usually handle the registration process with the Alaska DMV.

Purchased Outside of Alaska

If the vehicle was purchased outside of Alaska, individuals must also provide the following documents on top of the ones above:

• Ownership documents, e.g., Title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO)
• Odometer reading if the vehicle weighs less than 12,000 pounds and is less than 20 years old
• Lien release for when a lien is specified in the MCO or Title
• Notarized Power of Attorney if another person will handle the registration on behalf of the owner
• Additional requirements for trucks over 8000 pounds (See the "Commercial Registration" link under the "Special Registration" section below)
• Proof of transferring license plates for vehicles not yet in the buyer's name or if the license plate of one vehicle needs to move to another

Note that if the individual chooses a Title as proof of ownership, they must apply within 30 days of purchasing the vehicle. The current titleholder must officially relinquish their claim to the title before it can be reassigned to the new applicant to transfer vehicle ownership.

Individuals can mail the title to the Anchorage DMV Headquarters:

If presenting an MCO, it must accomplish either of the following:

• Display the applicant's name printed on the front
• The dealership whose name is printed on the front must utilize the Dealer Reassignment process to officially transfer the vehicle to the applicant.

For more information on the registration procedures for new or used vehicles from out of state, view the "New Vehicle" page from the AK DMV website.

The individual must also check if the previous owner has registered the vehicle. For more information, check the procedures under this guide's "How To Check if a Vehicle Is Currently Registered in Alaska?" section.

Permanent Registration

Individuals residing in any of the following can avail for permanent registration if their vehicle is a non-commercial trailer or at least eight years old starting from January 2015:

• An unorganized borough
• An organized borough that has passed a participation ordinance in Alaska

Check this list of currently eligible towns to know if a vehicle is eligible for permanent registration.

If qualified and the registration expires on or after January 31, 2015, individuals can pay a one-time fee of $25 in addition to regular fees and registration taxes.

Once the payment is made, individuals will receive a permanent "Z" tab and may not renew their registration again. It provides a convenient and hassle-free solution for maintaining vehicle registration in Alaska.

Individuals can also register online through the "myAlaska" page for convenience.

Moreover, individuals must note the following additional details regarding permanent registration procedures in Alaska:

Bill Effectivity Date

The permanent registration bill took effect on January 1, 2015. Vehicles with registrations that expired before that date are not qualified to register permanently. Instead, individuals must renew their biennial registration.

Payment of Full Registration Fees for Purchased Vehicles

If the vehicle bought has a permanent ("P") tab, the individual must pay the registration fees and taxes. An additional $25 is also required for permanent registration.

Registration Option for Sold Vehicle

If selling a vehicle with a permanent tab, the new owner can register it permanently by paying $25 and the registration fees and taxes.

Senior Citizen Registration

Individuals aged 65 or older can be exempted from vehicle registration fees and taxes. Here are the registration procedures for seniors in Alaska:

Eligibility

Individuals must meet the following criteria to register one vehicle as exempt:

• Must be a non-commercial vehicle
• Must be a motorhome, passenger vehicle, van, motorcycle, pick-up truck, or trailer
• Must have the individual's name in the title

Limitations

Individuals can only have exempt one vehicle. Even if they qualify for other exemptions, such as senior, disability, or disabled veteran, the rule applies.

Application

Seniors can register their vehicles online as long as the vehicle is titled and/or registered in the state of Alaska under their name. Alternatively, they can register by mail or in person at a DMV office. The application process requires the following:

• Completed application form
• Alaska Driver's License Number to verify age and eligibility

Note: If the license is not available, the individual can submit a certified copy of any identity document (e.g., U.S. passport or birth certificate).

Selling a Vehicle

If the individual sells their current exempt vehicle to exempt another one, they need a Notice of Sale Pending. If the exempt vehicle has a "P" tab on its plates, the individual must surrender the plates. Failure to surrender will keep the license plates tied to the vehicle. The buyer will have to pay the registration fees upon transferring the title.

Active-Duty Military Registration

Military registration only applies to new, used, and vehicles titled in the military member's name in another state. These include cars, utility vehicles, motorhomes, trucks, motorcycles, and trailers. Boats are not included. In case of exemptions and processing, the active-duty military member must be an owner or co-owner of the vehicle.

Non-resident military members are not required to transfer their title or registration to the state of Alaska. They can keep the registration in their state of residence, as permitted by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). For the most recent updates, access the newer version of the SCRA.

The DMV will renew registrations by mail for active military members stationed outside if they are Alaska residents.

Registration Requirements

Here are the requirements needed to register vehicles owned by active-duty military members:

• General registration requirements (refer to the specific section for details)
• Copy of the individual's active-duty military ID
• Leave & Earnings Statement or LES (within 90 days) indicating Alaska as the home
• Military shipping or customs documents if the last title or registration was from outside the U.S.

Note that if the vehicle is imported to the U.S., check the requirements for Foreign Vehicles.

Furthermore, there are registration exemptions for military personnel. Check the "Military Exemptions" tab on the "Active Duty Military – Title and Registration Procedures" page of the AK DMV website.

Special Registrations

Special registrations are also allowed in Alaska. These special cases apply to the ones below (Visit the corresponding links to know more):

• ATV's & Snowmachines
• Boats
• Commercial Registration (including Heavy Vehicle Use Tax)
• Dual Registration (Commercial Only)

Renewal Options

In Alaska, individuals can renew their vehicle registrations in three ways:

Online

The quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective way to register is through the AK DMV's online renewal platform. It is recommended for the general public for convenience of registration processing.

In Person

Individuals can visit a DMV office, but there is a $10 walk-in fee. Business partners are also available to assist in person.

By Mail

This method takes at least six weeks, so allow enough time before the expiration date. Mail the required documents to the DMV, including the following:

• Details about the registration (This can be in the form of a letter.)
• A copy of the last registration
• Application (Form 812)
• An LES for military personnel showing Alaska as their home state
• A personalized check or money order for fees and taxes (based on the calculated amount for the vehicle)
• A self-addressed envelope for receiving the registration and tab

Other Considerations

Here are other things to take note of when renewing vehicle registration in Alaska:

Registration Expired Less Than a Year

If a vehicle has expired for less than a full year, the owner will be charged the full biennial fee starting from the month the registration expires. It applies regardless of a recent purchase, previous owner's negligence, or parked vehicle during the expired period.

Restarting Registration

Registration starts over if a vehicle has expired for over a full year or if the previous owner was exempt from registration fees (e.g., Senior Exemption, Disability Plates).

Motor Vehicle Registration Tax (MVRT)

Some municipalities and boroughs in Alaska impose the MVRT as a personal property tax. Tax rates vary depending on the location. To know how much tax a vehicle registration will incur, visit the automatic calculator link in this guide's "General Registration" section.

Senior Exemption and Permanent Registration

Seniors eligible for free or permanent registration can visit the DMV office to process their application.

Renewing Outside Alaska

Alaska residents who will be temporarily located outside the state when their vehicle registration expires are still obligated to renew their Alaska vehicle registration on time. It is recommended for these residents to renew online or by mail. These residents include the following:

Military Stationed Outside Alaska

Active-duty military personnel stationed outside of Alaska on military orders but retaining their Alaska residency are permitted to renew their vehicle registration in Alaska. In such cases, they can use the mailing and residence addresses of the locations where they are currently stationed.

Attending College Outside Alaska

Full-time students who maintain Alaska residency but attend college outside the state can continue renewing their vehicle registration in Alaska. They may use their mailing and residential address from the location where they are studying. However, they must transfer their vehicle registration to the state where they are currently residing if they:

• Change their legal residency
• Become employed
• Transition to part-time student status