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Instructions for Military Personnel

Instructions are provided below by subject.  Included you will find information related to documents required to properly apply for title and registration or registration renewal as a member of the armed services.  Submitting proper supporting documentation will prevent a delay in the processing of your title and registration or registration renewal.  Your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) and your stationing orders must be current.  In addition, your stationing orders must indicate that you are stationed out of state.  Again, if your home of record is listed as Tennessee, but there is no physical presence you can file through the office of any county clerk in Tennessee.  Otherwise you must file through the county clerk of your Tennessee residence.

NOTE:  When registering or renewing a vehicle as military personnel, county wheel taxes may apply. Some counties require a successful vehicle emissions test before renewal or registration of your vehicle can proceed. Please contact your county clerk or refer to their Web site to determine whether your county has an emissions requirement. County Web sites and emissions information are also available here.

 

New Vehicles

Documents Necessary:

  • Manufacturers statement of origin properly assigned on reverse side including the odometer.
  • Itemized Bill of Sale
  • Security Agreement or Other Proper Lien Instrument if Lien is to be Recorded
  • Copy of Current LES and Stationing Orders
  • Mailing Address
  • Daytime Telephone Number

Fees Necessary:

  • Sales Tax - The state sales tax rate is 7% of the purchase price, less the total value of any trade in. Local sales tax rates ranging from 1.50% to 2.75% are imposed on the first $1,600 of the sale. Extended warranties repair, and maintenance plans are taxed separately for the local tax. Additionally, a state single article tax of 2.75% must be paid on sale prices above $1,600.01, and up to $3,200. The maximum amount of tax for state single article tax is $44.
  • License Plate Fee $21.50 (for regular car plates; specialty or personalized plates extra)
  • Title Fee $11.
  • Additional fees may be necessary if applying for title and registration through the office of your local county clerk. Please contact your county clerks' office for further information on additional fees.

 

Used Vehicles

Documents Necessary:

  • Previous owner's title properly assigned on reverse side including odometer on conforming titles.
  • Non-conforming titles require a separate odometer statement.
  • Used vehicles bought from a dealer must be properly assigned using the title extension form if back of title is full.
  • Copy of current LES and stationing orders
  • Mailing address
  • Daytime phone number

Fees Necessary:

  • Sales Tax - The state sales tax rate is 7% of the purchase price, less the total value of any trade in. Local sales tax rates ranging from 1.50% to 2.75% are imposed on the first $1,600 of the sale. Extended warranties repair, and maintenance plans are taxed separately for the local tax. Additionally, a state single article tax of 2.75% must be paid on sale prices above $1,600.01, and up to $3,200. The maximum amount of tax for state single article tax is $44.
  • License Plate Fee $21.50 (for regular car plates; specialty or personalized plates extra)
  • Title Fee $11.
  • Additional fees may be necessary if applying for title and registration through the office of your local county clerk. Please contact your county clerks' office for further information on additional fees.

Note: Vehicles that are purchased overseas by our military personnel will often only receive a USAREUR registration for purposes of operating the vehicle overseas. This registration should be properly assigned to the person filing the application for title and registration. If the registration indicates a lien, the Vehicle Services Division will send a letter to the lien holder asking for the outstanding title.

 

Registration Transfer

If you have a valid Tennessee registration assigned to another vehicle, you can transfer this registration to the newly purchased vehicle. The required documents are the same as above along with a copy of your current registration. The required fee is $1 for transferring the plate. The title fee and sales taxes are calculated the same as above.

 

Address Change

If you need your address changed at any time, send a copy copy of your LES along with new address and a list of all vehicles registered in Tennessee to the office of your county clerk. If you are no longer based in Tennessee and your LES does not show Tennessee as your home of record, you must title and register your vehicle in your home of record or your duty station.

 

Payment Information

Contact county clerk for your county of residence for payment information through their office. Click here for a listing of contact information, addresses, and hours of operation for county clerk offices.

 

Renewals

In order for your registration renewal to be completed as quickly as possible, please follow these instructions. Attach a current copy of your LES and Stationing Orders along with a copy of your registration. Below are the base State fees, additional county fees may apply:

  • $21.50 for a regular tag
  • $56.50 for personalized plates
  • $49.50 for personalized motorcycle plates
  • $14.50 for regular motorcycle plates
  • $1 transfer fee

 

Contact Information

If you have further questions, feel free to contact the Vehicle Services Call Center at (615) 741-3101 or 1-888-871-3171 for vehicle title and registration questions.

For questions related to sales tax issues and the military please call (615) 253-0600 or (800) 342-1003.

E-mail inquiries may be made to email.t&r@tn.gov for vehicle titling and registration questions and to tn.revenue@tn.gov for questions regarding sales tax.

 

Out-of-state Titles

If you have a valid title and registration from another state, the following is required:

  • Out-of-state title
  • Current registration receipt
  • Name and address of lien holder if lien is present

The fees are the same as above and no sales tax is due if you provide evidence that sales tax was paid at time of purchase.

 

Noting of Lien

Noting of lien on a current Tennessee title requires the following:

  • Copy of Security Agreement
  • Certificate of title
  • An application and title fee payment of $11.

For subsequent notings of lien, the following documents are required:

  • Copy of Security Agreement
  • An application and title fee payment of $11.
  • A letter will be sent to the first lien holder requesting a copy of the title.

NOTE:  Additional fees may be necessary if noting any lien through the office of your local county clerk. Please contact your county clerks' office for further information on additional fees.

 

Sales Tax

Tenn. Code Ann. Section 67-6-303 exempts qualified military personnel from sales and use tax on eligible motor vehicle purchases. Click here for more information about sales tax.  Otherwise, vehicles brought into Tennessee from out of state are subject to Tennessee use tax.  Credit is given upon documented proof provided to the county clerk showing sales tax was paid in another state.  If the sales tax paid is less than the use tax due when the vehicle is brought into Tennessee, the owner will only pay tax on the difference between these figures.