Motor Vehicle
The Knox County Clerk’s Office now accepts Visa and MasterCard Credit & Debit card
payments for most services.*Convenience fees do apply. See Clerk for details.
All Knox County Clerk’s Office locations offer Motor Vehicle Title and Registration Services.
Email: motor.vehicle@knoxcounty.org
Click on links below for more information.
How to Title and Register a Vehicle in Tennessee
- Who Must Title
- New or Relocating to Knox County
- Sale of Vehicle
- Purchasing from an Individual
- Transactions Involving Multiple Owners
- Replacement Titles
- Disabled Driver Plates & Placards
- Wheel Tax Exemption Information
- Boat Registration Information
WHO MUST TITLE
Each owner of a vehicle, except a registered dealer, must obtain a title in his or her name. The owner of a vehicle must apply for Certificate of Title and Registration at the Knox County Clerk's Office. The County Clerk will collect the proper fees and issue the registration at that time. Please allow 10-15 business days for title processing.
NEW OR RETURNING KNOX COUNTY RESIDENTS
Please bring your out-of-state title and the odometer reading at time of purchase. If there is a lien, bring a copy of the title or an original or certified copy of the current vehicle registration along with the name, address and zip code of the lien holder. Some States allow the owner to hold the title instead of the lien holder, so in this case the title is required.
In the case of a leased vehicle the following applies:
- Lessor’s Tennessee sales tax leasing number
- Out of State registration in lessee's name and a copy of their lease agreement
Knox County does not require emissions inspections for passenger vehicles.
In most cases, the cost for titling and registering your vehicle in Knox County is $72.00*.
*This is for a standard passenger plate only. Fees vary for Specialty and Commercial Tags are more expensive.
Proof of identification and proof of residency must be presented at time of application for title and registration.
- Required identification will include one (1) of the following:
1) photo driver license or photo ID issued by government
2) certified birth certificate
3) military identification
4) passport
5) immigration documentation
- Required proof of residency will include one (1) of the following:
1) utility bill, or bank statement, or mortgage or rental contract
2) current voter registration card or tax reporting W-2 form
3) copy of military orders or college ID card showing student on campus
Note: If an application is presented by an appointed power of attorney, the appointee will need to provide copies of identification and proof of residency for our files.
SALE OF VEHICLE BY REGISTERED OWNER
The registered owner assigns the Certificate of Title to the new owner on the reverse side of the certificate, indicating the name and full address of the new owner and lien holder (if any), the date of transfer and the purchase price.
If the vehicle is less than ten years old, there must be an odometer disclosure statement.
NEVER ASSIGN A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE LEAVING THE PURCHASER’S NAME BLANK (OPEN TITLE) BECAUSE IT SUBJECTS YOU AND THE PERSON IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE TO PAYMENT OF SALES TAX AND STRINGENT PENALTIES.
PURCHASE OF VEHICLE FROM REGISTERED OWNER
If the vehicle was purchased from an individual, please present a properly signed certificate of title and, if the vehicle isn't over ten years old, the odometer statement must be completed on the title where specified. If the vehicle is financed bring the completed security agreement.
Any applicable sales taxes are due upon application for Tennessee Title & Registration at a rate of 7% state sales tax and 2.25% local tax (the local portion of the sales tax cannot exceed $88.00) on the sales price.
If you bought the vehicle for considerably less than the retail market value, the seller must sign an If unable to locate the seller, a notarized appraisal from a licensed dealer is acceptable otherwise tax will be based on the NADA book value.
If you wish to transfer your present tag please bring your current tag receipt or tag number.
Transfers from immediate family members may be eligible for tax exemption. Gifts from non-family members in some cases may also be tax exempt. However, the State does require a sworn Affidavit of Non-Dealer Transfer of Vehicles and Boats on exempt transactions.
The State does not permit a corporate transfer without collection of sales tax, even among family members.
DO NOT PURCHASE A MOTOR VEHICLE UNLESS THE OWNERS NAME APPEARS ON THE FACE OF THE ORIGINAL TITLE.
*Alterations, erasures or white out voids Tennessee Certificates of Title.
PURCHASE OF VEHICLE FROM MOTOR VEHICLE DEALERSHIP
If you've just bought a vehicle, please bring a valid Driver License or other picture ID when titling a vehicle, applying for a license plate or transferring a plate from one vehicle to another. State law requires the applicant or owner to visit the County Clerk's office. If you can't personally transact this business, a representative may be designated by notarized Power of Attorney form identifying the vehicle by make, model and identification number.
If your vehicle is new bring all documentation connected with the purchase. This includes manufacturer’s statement of origin, or MSO, new car invoice from dealer, odometer statement, and a security agreement if financed.
If you have purchased a vehicle from out of state, you must pay any sales taxes due at the time you make application for Tennessee Title and Registration.
Proof of Residency and Identification is required.
MULTIPLE OWNERS
Only one (1) party's signature is required if the vehicle is titled to two or more owners and their names are joined by the conjunction "or". When the conjunction "and" is used, all parties must sign.
REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE OF TITLE
You may apply for a replacement Certificate of Tennessee Title (Application for Duplicate Title) at any of the Knox County Clerk’s Office locations, provided that the following conditions exist:
- The vehicle record is in the Title and Registration Database and eligible for replacement.
- The vehicle record is free of liens and/or stolen or administrative stop codes.
- If a lien is recorded against the vehicle, a Discharge of Lien Form must accompany the application.
- Registered owners, when applying, must present proof of ownership and Photo ID.
- If applicant cannot apply in person then a Power of Attorney form must be presented along with a copy of the owner's driver's license or other required identification.
The cost to replace a lost or stolen Certificate of Title is $11.00.
DISABLED DRIVER LICENSE PLATES AND PLACARDS
Knox County resident drivers confined to a wheelchair, able to walk only with difficulty or uncertainty or with vision of not more than 20/200 with corrective lenses may apply for Disabled Driver license plates or placards. (Application for Disabled Driver Plate and/or Placard) The cost for Disabled Driver Plates is the same as the cost of a standard passenger license plate, unless the medical condition exempts the owner from the Knox County Wheel Tax.
Disabled passengers may apply for placards only. For a passenger with a permanent medical disability, the fee for a two (2) year placard is $21.50 for the first year and $3.00 for each renewal every two (2) years thereafter. For passengers with a disability that is of a temporary nature due to a surgery or fracture, the cost for a six-month placard is $10.00. Temporary Placards may be renewed one (1) time for a $10 fee.
KNOX COUNTY WHEEL TAX:
There is a $36.00 wheel tax in Knox County for all motorized vehicles and cycles. The tax does not apply to trailers. There are exemptions from the Wheel Tax under certain conditions. Please review the Affidavit for Wheel Tax Exemption to see if you qualify. Owners meeting the exemption criteria as set forth in the Knox County Wheel Tax Ordinance (O-04-5-101(a)) are relieved of $30 of the cost of registrations.
REGISTERING BOATS OR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT:
The clerk's fee for registering a boat is $7.00 plus Tennessee sales tax.
For further instructions on watercraft go to TWRA Boat Registration Information.
