Vehicle Pre-Registration Requirements

PRIVATE SALE (within Oklahoma):

The buyer or seller must pre-register the vehicle online, or in person, within two (2) business days of the ownership transfer.

If the buyer is transferring a license plate from another vehicle, put the plate on the new vehicle. Service Oklahoma (SOK) will mail the buyer pre-registration decals. These must be affixed to the top corners of the metal license plate within 10 days. Please visit the link below for accurate placement.

If the buyer does not have a license plate, he or she will receive a temporary paper tag to download via email. Whether the buyer registers in person or online, they will receive two pre-registrations decals and a metal license plate in the mail. The decals must be affixed to the metal license plate and placed on the vehicle within 10 business days. Please visit the link below for accurate placement.

The buyer still has 60 days from the date of ownership transfer to fully register and process their tag, title, and tax.

DEALERSHIP SALE (within Oklahoma):

The dealer will submit the necessary information for pre-registration at the time of the initial purchase.

If the buyer is not transferring a metal license plate, the dealer will provide a paper plate good for 10 days. The buyer will receive two pre-registrations decals and a metal license plate in the mail. The decals must be affixed to the metal license plate a placed on the vehicle within 10 days. Please visit the link below for accurate placement.

If the buyer is transferring a metal license plate from another vehicle, they should place it on their vehicle. SOK will mail the buyer pre-registration decals. These must be affixed to the top corners of the metal license plate within 10 days. Please visit the link below for accurate placement.

The buyer still has 60 days from the date of ownership transfer to fully register and process their tag, title, and tax.

OUT-OF-STATE SALE (Private or Dealership):

If the vehicle is purchased out of the state, the buyer will need to visit a licensed operator location (formerly called a Tag Agency) to process their tag, title, and tax within 60 days of ownership transfer.

This is true whether you buy from an individual or dealership and whether you have a metal license plate or not. Out-of-state sales are not required to undergo the pre-registration requirements.

TRIBAL PLATES (Private or Dealership):

Pre-registration is required for all vehicles purchased in Oklahoma on or after Sept. 1, 2024, even if the customer plans to complete full registration with their respective tribes. Customers with existing Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation license plates can transfer their plates to their newly purchased vehicles during pre-registration.

All other tribal nation members will need to get new plates during pre-registration rather than transfer their existing plates. This means dealers will need to provide temporary paper tags for their vehicles while they wait for licensed operators to mail out their Oklahoma metal plates and pre-registration decals.