8.9.1

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Effective Date: September 29, 2026 Review Due: September 29, 2028

Summary of Changes

No changes needed per the two year review.

Purpose

To provide guidelines for the issuance of a vehicle registration, including documentation, fee and exemption requirements.

Authority

Two Year Review, Title 28 Chapter 7, A.R.S. §§ 28-442, 28-447, 28-2001, 28-2003, 28-2008, 28-2052, 28-2056, 28-2057, 28-2152, 28-2153, 28-2157 through 28-2159, 28-2162, 28-2163, and 28-2164.

Policy

  1. A person shall not operate a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer on a public road unless the vehicle is currently registered with the Division.
  1. The vehicle type is used to determine the appropriate fees, plate assignment and expiration date.
  1. The vehicle type is determined according to the declaration of the owner and/or physical inspection. A change in vehicle use, ownership or declared gross weight may require a change in vehicle type.
  1. Prior to registration, the motor vehicle must meet applicable emissions requirements, see Policy 8.9.3 Emissions Requirements.
  1. An off-road recreational vehicle is not eligible for registration unless the off-road vehicle is equipped for highway use.
  1. A customer who owns two or more vehicles may request that all vehicle registrations expire on the same date, see Policy 8.10.6 Permanent Fleet Registration.
  1. A license plate, the validating tab, and the registration are issued when registration requirements are met and the appropriate fees are paid.
  1. The face of the registration form shall contain all of the following:
  1. The date the registration was issued.
  2. The registration number assigned to the owner and the vehicle.
  3. The name and address of the owner (may be a post office box).
  4. A description of the registered vehicle including the vehicle identification number.
  5. The amount of fees paid for registration of the vehicle.
  6. The date and time the renewal was processed.
  1. When an original registration (or registration renewal) mailed to the customer’s mailing address is not delivered, the Division will waive the replacement fee for the undelivered registration provided the registrant has not moved, still maintains the mailing address of record and claims non-delivery by the Post Office.
  1. The claim of non-delivery must be made at least 10 days but not more than 45 days after the validation date.

Exemptions

  1. The following vehicles are exempt from registration requirements:
  1. A farm tractor.
  2. A trailer used solely in the operation of a farm for transporting the unprocessed fiber or forage products of a farm and only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.
  3. Any implement of husbandry designed primarily for agricultural use and only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.
  4. A road roller or road machinery, including a power sweeper that is temporarily operated or moved on the highway.
  5. An owner permitted to operate a vehicle under special provisions relating to lienholders, manufacturers, dealers and nonresidents.
  6. Motorized or non-motorized equipment designed primarily for use in mining operations and only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.
  7. A motor vehicle that is being towed by a licensed tow truck.
  8. An all-terrain vehicle or an off-road recreational motor vehicle operating on a dirt road that is located in an unincorporated area of this State; see 8.13.4 Off Highway Vehicle.
  9. A mobile home or travel trailer that has been affixed and for which property taxes are being paid.
  10. A golf cart used in the operation of a golf course and only incidentally operated or moved on a highway.
  11. Wheeled equipment, such as:
  1. A compressor.
  2. A forklift or a hay squeeze machine that is designed to load hay in an off-road situation.
  3. A portable cement mixer.
  4. A single axle tow dolly.
  5. A tar pot.
  6. A water trailer used for: watering livestock, for agricultural, or domestic purposes.
  7. A welder.
  1. Any other similar item that is designed primarily for construction or building trade purposes, which includes motorized construction equipment commonly known as the following:
  1. A backhoe.
  2. A forklift.
  3. A front-end loader.
  4. A grading tractor.