Even if your car isn’t registered, you can apply for a car title loan. While car registered it’s not required to get a title loan, it is necessary to drive your car in most states.
Be Aware: Driving a car without a valid registration can be dangerous. You could face serious legal trouble, and it’s not worth taking that risk.
Use the title loan funds to pay your car registration:
At Montana Capital, we usually recommend that borrowers use the funds from the loan to pay for car registration since registering your car is required by law in order to drive it on the road. We may even be able to help if you need assistance registering your vehicle.
Get Up to $50,000 With Us
In order to qualify for a title loan on your car or truck, you must be at least 18 years old, have the title in your name, and show that you can repay the loan. The title loan approval process by Montana Capital focuses on your ability to repay the loan which is your vehicle’s equity, not whether your car is registered. An auto title loan from us helps people who need funds fast and aren’t eligible for traditional financing often due to bad credit. You can get up to $50,000 with us.
What Is a Vehicle Registration
All states require vehicle registration to legally drive a car. Your vehicle registration tells the government and law enforcement professionals that you own the car and what state you live in. It connects you and the car when you register it with the state.
Car Registration vs. Title
A vehicle title and registration may sound the same, but they have different purposes:
- Vehicle Title – A title shows ownership of the car but doesn’t provide the right to drive it on public roads. For example, you can buy a car that’s not driveable yet. You should have the title transferred to you, but you don’t need to register it until you want to drive it.
- Vehicle registration – shows the car is legal to drive in your state of residence. You can cross state lines with the vehicle if you’re visiting. But, if you move across state lines, you must register the car in your new state and ensure it meets all legal driving requirements.
Acquiring a Vehicle Registration
A major perk of an auto title loan with Montana Capital is your ability to continue driving your vehicle. While you don’t need to register your car to receive a title loan, you will to legally drive it in most states. That is why it’s important to understand your state’s requirements for car registration.
To register a car, most states require you to fill out a form from the DMV and provide the following documentation:
- Government-issued photo ID (all states)
- Vehicle title in your name (all states)
- Vehicle emissions test (varies by state)
- Vehicle safety inspection (varies by state)
- Proof of car insurance (varies by state)
New Vehicle Registration
If you buy your car from a dealership, they usually handle the registration for you. However, if you buy it from a private party, you must head to your local DMV office or registration service location to register the car in your name. The registration fee can cost as much as $306, so include that in your budget when buying a car.
You typically have 30 days to get a new vehicle registration when you purchase a car. Then it’s your responsibility to renew your vehicle registration annually or as often as required in your state.
Updating Your Registration
Updating your registration if you move across state lines is also important. Each state has different requirements for how quickly you need to register your vehicle in a new state. This can range anywhere from 10 to 90 days. You can check your new state’s DMV website or find a licensed registration service to help you navigate these laws and register the car in the state you live.
Lost, Stolen, or Expired Registration
If your registration is expired or you suspect it was lost or stolen, you’ll need an updated or replacement registration card. To do this, you must reapply for registration, provide the same documentation as when you bought the car, and pay the registration fees.
The fees for a duplicate registration card aren’t as high as the initial registration. It varies by state but is usually $20 – $50.
Renewing Your Registration
Because vehicle ownership can change often, registration expires and must typically be renewed every 1 to 2 years for cars, depending on your state, to keep this information up to date. Some states provide the option to pay for multi-year renewals, so consult your state’s DMV website to know their specific guidelines.
How Does a Car Title Loan Without Registration Work?
To qualify for a car title loan without a vehicle registration card, you must provide a clean, qualifying vehicle title in your name and have enough income to make the monthly payment.
At Montana Capital, filling out our application form is fast and easy. It can take only five minutes to finish. We require very little paperwork so the entire title loan process typically takes less than 5 hours from start to finish. You can get your funds same day if approved and signed by 2 pm.
We will pull your credit, but that isn’t the only determining factor. Our focus is on your ability to repay the loan and the car’s value should you default.
Let’s take a look at how the process works in more detail.
Complete Your Application
The application process for a car title loan without car registration is straightforward. You can apply online or over the phone by providing the following information:
- Personal info
- Loan amount
- Residence
- Income
- Make/model
- Vehicle year
Pre-Approval Decision
After providing the initial application information, you’ll receive a quick preapproval answer. If pre-approved, you will receive a free, no-obligation quote to review. Use a title loan calculator to help determine your monthly payment.
Provide the Required Documentation
If you want to accept the loan, you’ll need to submit the following documents:
- Valid photo ID
- Proof of income
- Title in your name
- Photos of your car
Get Your Funds After Signing the Agreement
A Montana Capital Car Title Loans representative will review your documents and provide you with the terms of your loan agreement. Carefully review these terms and conditions to ensure you understand your interest rate, monthly payment, any fees or charges, and your loan term.
If you don’t have any questions, sign your loan agreement, and your funds will soon be on their way.
Make Payments
During the loan term, your title lender will take possession of your title. Once you are done making your monthly payments, you will receive your title back, lien-free.
FAQs
How Fast Can I Get a Title Loan Without Registration?
At Montana Capital, we don’t require you to have a car registration to get a title loan. Our preapproval process usually takes about one hour or less.* Many times, you will be able to walk out with money in your hands on the same day you applied. Not having a registered motor vehicle does not affect the time.
*Filling in the application form can take five (5) minutes to finish. Final funding time begins from the time the request gets final approval after it has been received and reviewed, with all necessary documents, and signed before 2 pm of your lender’s local time during a business day.
Why Is My Car Registration Important for a Title Loan?
Car registration is another way to prove vehicle ownership. Although you don’t have to register your car to get a title loan, being able to drive your car is important in most states. If your registration has expired and you don’t have the required funds, you can use your title loan proceeds to pay the cost.
Does It Cost Money to Get a Vehicle Registration?
Every state has different fees they charge for vehicle registration. It could range from $20 to a couple of hundred dollars, depending on where you live. Check out your state’s DMV website for the current cost.
Auto Title Loans Without Registration – The Bottom Line
You don’t need car registration to get a car title loan at Montana Capital Car Title Loans. However, we always recommend registering your vehicle. When you register your car, the state acknowledges that it can be legally driven.
So if you’re experiencing a financial emergency and your vehicle isn’t registered, a title loan may be just what the doctor ordered. As long as your name is on the title and you have adequate income to repay the loan, you may be eligible for between $500 and $50,000.
Apply now to see how much you could receive from Montana Capital Car Title Loans today!
Written by
Samantha Hawrylack
Samantha Hawrylack writes for our company and is an expert in personal finance. Sam received her Bachelors of Science in Finance and her Masters in Business Administration from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She began her career in the financial services industry and shifted to an entrepreneurial role where she could directly impact clients. Sam has an impressive background in personal finance and business management.