Do RVs Need To Be Registered? (Rules Per State)

RVs need to be registered in the state you have permanent residence.

The type of registration you need to obtain will vary by state. Motorhomes and pull-behind campers fall into different categories and should be registered differently.

For example, a friend of mine pays over a hundred dollars a month to get insurance on his van but only two hundred dollars a year to get insurance on his motorhome.

If you have a van or trailer that you’ve converted into an RV, you may need to change the registration type.

In some instances, changing a van’s registration to RV status can save you money on insurance and registration fees, so it’s definitely worth looking into.

Registration by State:

Alabama

In Alabama, motorhomes and campers must be registered.

This is done through the same process you use to register a standard car.  The cost of this registration is determined by the weight of the RV.

This being said, travel trailers that are more than 20 years old do not have to be registered.  Also, any vehicles over 35 years old do not have to be registered either.

Alaska

Motorhomes and campers are registered and the process is the same as registering a car.  The cost varies depending on the county you reside in.

Arizona

RVs and motorhomes must be registered.  The cost changes based on the size and weight of the RV and the process for registering is the same as registering a car.

Arkansas

The state of Arkansas is pretty straightforward.  All RVs must be registered and you do it the same way you register your car.

California

RVs and motorhomes must be registered the same way that you register a car.

Colorado

RVs, campers, and motorhomes are all registered the same way that a car is but the fees will differ based on the size and empty weight of the RV.

Connecticut

RVs and motorhomes must be registered.  Fees vary based on the size of the RV.

Delaware

RVs and motorhomes must be registered and they must pass safety and emissions tests.

Vehicles weighing less than 5,000 pounds only cost $40 to register and vehicles weighing over 5,000 pounds cost an additional $6.40 per thousand pounds over 5,000.

For example, if your camper weighs 6,000 pounds, you’ll pay $46.40 to register it.

Florida

RVs and motorhomes must be registered using the same process that is used for a car.  Slide-in truck campers do not need titles.

Georgia

RVs and motorhomes must be registered.  They’ll have to pass a vehicle inspection and a title fee of $18 must be paid.

Hawaii

RVs and motorhomes need to be registered and fees will vary based on the weight of the vehicle.  The steps that must be taken to register the vehicle will vary by county.

Read more here about RVing in Hawaii!

Idaho

Idaho has a few different rules to follow.  RVs must be registered and the pricing changes based on the value of the RV as well as the type of RV that you own.

Visit https://itd.idaho.gov//itddmv/ for up-to-date information on your RV or motorhome’s fee.

Illinois

RVs and motorhomes must be registered and the cost changes based on the weight of the vehicle.  RVs that weigh less than 8,000 pounds cost $78 to register and RVs that weigh between 8,001 and 10,000 pounds cost $90 to register.  Any RVs weighing more than 10,000 pounds cost $102 to register.

Indiana

RV and motorhome registration is done in the same way that a car is done.  It costs $29.35 to register an RV.

Iowa

RVs and campers are registered in the county you reside in.  Fees vary based on the type of RV, the RV’s weight, and the county that you live in.

Kansas

RVs and motorhomes are registered and the fees vary based on the age and weight of the RV.  However, the RV isn’t considered an RV until it meets certain criteria set forth by the state.

You’ll also need to pay a property tax based on the value of the RV.

Kentucky

Motorhomes and RVs are registered and the cost varies based on how much the RV weighs.

Louisiana

RVs and motorhomes are registered just like a car.

Maine

All RVs are registered and the process is the same as it is for a car.

Maryland

RVs and motorhomes are registered just like cars but the pricing varies.  Anything under 3,700 pounds cost $135 to register and anything over $3,700 pounds cost $187 to register.

Massachusetts

Motorhomes are registered like cars and campers are registered like trailers.  If the camper is less than 3,000 pounds, you won’t have to register it.

Michigan

RVs and motorhomes must be registered and the cost varies based on the type of vehicle you own.

Minnesota

RVs and motorhomes are registered and prices vary based on size.

Mississippi

Motorhomes and RVs need to be registered and the process is similar to registering a car.  If the RV was made prior to 2000, you will not have to have a title.

Missouri

RVs and motorhomes are registered just like a car.  You’ll need to pay a $32.50 fee to register it.

Montana

RVs and motorhomes must be registered each year.  However, RVs that are older than 11 years can be permanently registered.  Registration fees vary based on how old the motorhome is.

Here is the breakdown as stated on https://www.dmv.org/mt-montana/other-types-of-vehicles.php

• Under 2 years old: $282.50.
• 2 to under 5 years old: $224.25.
• 5 to under 8 years old: $132.50.
• 8 years old or older: $97.50.
• 11 years old or older (permanent registration): $237.50.

Nebraska

Motorhomes and RVs are registered just like a car.

Nevada

RVs and motorhomes are registered and fees vary based on the weight of the vehicle, the age of the vehicle, the vehicle’s MSRP, and the county you reside in.

New Hampshire

Motorhomes and RVs need to be registered and fees are based on the type of RV you are registering.

New Jersey

A pop-up camper or trailer weighing less than 2,500 pounds does not need a title but does need to be registered.

All RVs and motorhomes are registered and the fees change based on the year it was made and its weight.

New Mexico

RVs and motorhomes must be registered just like a car.

New York

RVs and motorhomes must be registered and the fee will vary based on the size of the RV.

North Carolina

RVs and motorhomes must be registered.

North Dakota

All motorhomes and RVs must be registered.

Ohio

RVs and motorhomes are registered and the fee for doing so changes based on the size of the RV.

Oklahoma

Motorhomes and RVs need to be registered.

Oregon

Motorhomes are registered like cars but campers are registered as a separate entity.  Small, single-axel campers are registered differently than larger ones.

A list of fees can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Forms/DMV/464.pdf

Pennsylvania

Motorhomes and RVs can be registered for the year or seasonally.

Regular registration is similar to registering a car.  Seasonal registration is also similar but fees are prorated.

The benefit of a seasonal registration is that you’ll save some money when you’re not using it.  Personally, I don’t feel a seasonal registration is worth it since you don’t save much money and you lose the ability to use your RV during the months that it is not registered.

Rhode Island

Registering an RV or motorhome is just like registering a trailer or car.

South Carolina

Registering an RV or motorhome is just like registering a car.

South Dakota

Registering an RV or motorhome is just like registering a car.

Tennessee

Tennessee charges different rates for registering your RV or motorhome based on its size.

Texas

RVs and motorhomes are registered and prices vary depending on the vehicle and the county it is being registered in.

Utah

Utah requires motorhomes and RVs to be registered and the fees are based on the estimated value of the motorhome or RV.

You’ll need to pay 1.5% or 1% of the fair market value of your motorhome or RV.  The 1% applies to motorhomes and small to medium-sized campers. 

The 1.5% applies to vessels longer than 31 feet.

Vermont

RVs and motorhomes are registered like cars but the fees vary based on the type of fuel used and the length of the RV.

Virginia

Motorhomes and RVs are registered just like cars.

Washington

All RVs and motorhomes must be registered and the process is the same as it is for a car.  The fees will vary based on the weight of the motorhome or RV.

Washington, D.C

RVs and motorhomes are registered and prices change based on the weight of the RV.

West Virginia

RVs and motorhomes need to be registered and the fee will vary based on the size of the RV.

Wisconsin

RVs and motorhomes are registered similarly to cars but the fees will differ based on the size and empty weight of the RV.

Wyoming

RVs and motorhomes are registered just like cars.

In Closing

In almost all cases you’ll have to register your motorhome or RV.  The process is usually similar to registering a car but the pricing is often different based on the size and weight of the RV being registered.