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Motor Vehicle Registration

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1. How much is my registration going to cost?

It is not possible to quote fees for a particular registration over the phone, however an estimate can be obtained in person or online. For more information, visit our

Registration Cost page.

2. Where can I get a Temporary Plate?

You can obtain a Temporary Plate at any of the State Motor Vehicle Substations. The following is a listing of just a few of these locations:

- 23 Hazen Drive, Concord, New Hampshire

- 110 Broad Street, Nashua, New Hampshire

- 4 Meadow Brook Drive, Milford, New Hampshire

- 377 South Willow Street, Manchester, New Hampshire

- 33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, New Hampshire

Phone calls should be directed to Concord at 603-227-4000. For more information about Temporary Plates, please see

RSA 261:57.

3. Can I come in and register a car for someone else?

The New Hampshire Driver Privacy Act (RSA260:14) prohibits us from releasing any personal information about an individual to another person. New vehicle registrations must be completed in person, otherwise a notarized power of attorney is needed. However, if you come in with that person's current registration or a renewal notice, you should be able to complete the renewal of a registration, providing there are no changes.

You also need to show your current Driver's License or photo ID. For more information, see the New Hampshire Driver Privacy Act (RSA260:14).

4. What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept the following forms of payment:

- Cash

- Bank checks

- Cashier checks

- Checks

- Credit cards (2.79% service fee)

- Money orders

- Travelers checks

- Our ATM ($2.25 service fee)

5. What will you accept as proof of residency?

The following items are acceptable proof of residency:

A valid New Hampshire Driver's License with the correct Nashua address listed or a valid out-of-state Driver's License, along with one of the following:

- Postmarked mail dated within 30 days (if using a PO Box proof of Legal Address is also required)

- Current rental or lease agreement signed and dated within the last 30 days

- A letter (on letterhead) from the rental owner or management company stating that the resident lives at that address

-Current utility bill with "for service at" address provided (gas, electric, oil, water/sewer, cable/dish, or telephone (landline service only)

6. Can I register my vehicle online?

You can now renew vehicle registrations online via credit card for a fee of 2.79% + a $1.50 transaction fee, or via eCheck for a fee of $0.95 + a $1.50 transaction fee.

7. Where is the nearest state motor vehicle substation?

The closest State of New Hampshire DMV Substation is located at 110 Broad Street in Nashua. You may also check out this list of DMV Registration Substations.

8. How do I register the vehicle I just bought and use the same plates I have from the car I sold?

Come in to our office with your current original registration for your old car, and the necessary documents for your newly purchased vehicle. For more information, visit our Transferring Plates page.

9. I lost my registration, title, plate, stickers, or decals. How do I get a replacement(s)?

Replacement registrations, Stickers/Decals, and Plates can be obtained at City Hall in the Motor Vehicle Registration Department. Duplicate Title Applications are available at the State Department of Motor Vehicles offices. The forms are also available online (PDF).

10. I am moving out of state. Can I receive a refund for the remainder of months on my registration?

Unfortunately, the State of New Hampshire does not refund any partially used registrations. Any further questions should be directed to the state.

11. I have never registered a vehicle in the City of Nashua. What do I need?

In addition to your vehicle documents, you will need to come in with your Driver's License (or other official Photo ID) and proof of your residence in the City Of Nashua. For a list of approved proof of residences, visit our New Residents page. New Residents page.

12. Can I make partial payments on my auto registration?

No, in order for your vehicle to be registered, you have to pay the full amount of your registration per RSA 261-52.

13. How and when do I renew my vehicle registration?

Registrations are renewed during the month of expiration, which can be found on your registration. Generally, this is the birth month of the first name on the registration unless the vehicle is leased or owned by a business. Registrations expire at midnight on the last day of the expiration month. Check your registration or the month sticker on your license plate.

For your convenience, registrations can be renewed up to 4 months in advance. You may renew your registration through the mail by following the instructions on the renewal notice you receive in the mail. This is the most convenient method of registering.

You may also come in to the Motor Vehicle Registration Office located at City Hall downtown Nashua, at 229 Main Street. Please bring your current registration and your renewal notice along with your current Driver's License or ID. If possible, avoid Mondays and Fridays and the beginning and end of each month since those tend to be our busiest days and lines can be lengthy.

You also have the option to renew online.

14. Where can I get a handicap plate?

You may apply for a handicap plate or permanent Hanging Placard at The State Of New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles Office in Nashua. You'll need Form DSMV16 filled out and signed by a medical doctor. For additional information, call State Motor Vehicle at the Nashua Substation (603-227-4000). The form is available at the Motor Vehicle Department at City Hall. For more information on handicap plates, see RSA 261:88.

15. Can I register my vehicle even though I have an outstanding parking ticket?

No person shall be issued a motor vehicle registration with outstanding parking violations. To find out if you have outstanding parking tickets and what the amount is please contact Traffic Violations at 603-589-3205. More information can also be found at

(RSA 231:130-a) Notification of Unpaid Fine.

16. Where is your office located and what are your hours?

We are located at City Hall in downtown Nashua at 229 Main Street. 

Due to COVID-19 health concerns, we have limited hours from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM and a limit of how many may enter the building at the same time, until further notice.

17. Can I register my vehicle even though my license has been suspended?

No, you can not register with a suspended license. Call the State offices in Concord at 603-227-4010, Financial Responsibility, or refer to Suspended License (RSA 261:180).

18. I am under 18 can I still register a vehicle/obtain a Driver's License?

For information on registering a vehicle or obtaining a Driver's License under the age of 18, visit our

Drivers Under Age 18 page.

19. Where can I get a vehicle identification number for my homemade trailer?

For trailers weighing 3,000 pounds or less, the City of Nashua will issue the Vehicle Identification Number to you (with a bill of sale and a properly executed Form 19A).

For trailers weighing 3,001 pounds or more (Title 10), you must call Highway Enforcement at 603-271-3339 and a state officer has to inspect the trailer and issue the Vehicle Identification Number.

20. I just bought out my leased vehicle. What do I need to bring with me to register?

If you buy out your lease, the registration is treated as if it were brand new and you become the new owner and must change the registration to your name and your birth month.

You will need to bring in either the New Hampshire Application for Title or the actual Title signed over on the back to you by the leasing company, along with your current registration.

If you buy out the lease prior to the expiration of your registration you will receive the remaining credit on your registration and pay the difference through your birth month.

21. I have just moved to New Hampshire. How much time do I have to obtain a New Hampshire Driver's License and register my vehicle?

Under New Hampshire State Law you have 60 days to obtain a New Hampshire Driver's License and register your vehicle after moving to the state. For more information, please see the

License Reciprocity page.

22. I would like information on vanity plates. Where can I go to find out whether or not what I want one or if my license plate is taken?

If you visit the NH eGov website You can find available plate information on the New Hampshire eGov website.

23. I would like to know how to transfer my vehicles into the name of a trust?

If your vehicles are year 2000 or newer, you will sign the back of the titles over to your trust. Although the vehicles will be titled in just your trust's name, your name can still appear first on your registration as Trustee only (no personal ownership) so that you can keep your birthday month as your month of registration and vehicle inspection.

In order to get this done, you'll need to bring in the following:

- Your titles to the vehicles

- Your legal papers naming the actual trust name and trustees

- Your Driver's License

- The current mileage on the vehicles

- Your current registrations to the vehicles.

The cost is $27 for each title and $3 for each registration, providing your vehicles are currently registered and we only need to add the Trust name 2nd on the registration.

If your vehicles are year 1999 or older, we will need your current registration along with a new Bill of Sale from the primary owner (Trustee) to the Trustee (primary owner) and the Trust.  Bill of Sale forms are available in our office.

The cost for updating your non-titled vehicles is $3.00 per registration.