Oklahoma
Vehicle Resource Center
Oklahoma is home to more than 2 million licensed drivers. With so many people on the roadways throughout the state, it's essential for everyone to understand the laws, regular maintenance requirements, and more that come with owning and operating a vehicle in the state. Vehicle owners who fail to meet the state's requirements may face fines, loss of license, and could even face lawsuits.
Ownership and Maintenance
Every vehicle comes with specific legal maintenance requirements that demand drivers update their registration, maintain insurance, and more. These simple tasks are important and protect the driver and those around them.
Vehicle inspections for safety or emissions quality are not mandatory in the state of Oklahoma. Residents are encouraged to have their vehicles inspected regularly, but they won't face fines or any legal issues if they do not.
Oklahoma is an at-fault state for automobile accidents, which means that the driver deemed responsible for causing an accident is expected to pay for any damages that result from the accident. Liability insurance is meant to help cover those costs for vehicle owners throughout the state. Each time drivers take a vehicle on the road, they risk getting into an accident, and they are liable for the damages. That possible liability is why Oklahoma requires all vehicle owners to maintain minimum liability coverage for their vehicles.
Meeting the Minimum Coverage Requirements
All vehicle owners must have the minimum liability insurance coverage limits from a licensed agent in the state:
Any vehicle owners who meet these requirements are said to have insured vehicles and cannot be fined for being uninsured. There is still the risk that the minimum insurance coverage is not enough to cover all the costs of an accident. When liability insurance coverage is not enough to cover the costs of an accident, the driver may be sued to pay for the additional costs. This is why many owners choose to purchase higher insurance coverage amounts.
Vehicle owners can learn more about insurance requirements through this Oklahoma government brochure.
Each year, vehicle registrations must be renewed. The renewal process is straightforward and can be completed online or in person.
Vehicle owners must have the following information to renew:
Renew Online
To renew online, the owner can begin at the Registration Renewal Portal. Here, the registrant will be asked a series of simple questions and walked through the renewal process in about 10 minutes.
Renew In Person
To renew in person, the individual must locate an Oklahoma service agency offering registration renewals and visit the location during business hours. The vehicle owner can quickly go through the registration renewal process at the location as long as they have the necessary information and the money to pay the renewal fees.
Renew Online
Only select drivers are eligible to renew online.
Drivers are not eligible for online renewal if:
The online renewal process begins here. Drivers will be asked to supply a driver's license photo, a photo of themselves, credit card information, and extra documents, such as proof of residence or veteran documents if applicable. Drivers who provide the requested information and documents can pay and finalize their license renewal. The finished license will arrive within 30 days after it has been renewed.
Renew in Person
When renewing in person, the process is similar to online, but drivers must first go to a Service Oklahoma Licensing Office. Once at the office, the driver must provide identification, usually a driver's license, and pay the required renewal fees. The driver will also have to submit to a vision exam and have a new photo taken for the license to finalize the process. When renewing in person, the finished license is still mailed and can take up to 30 days to arrive.
Get all the specifics about Oklahoma license renewal via the government webpage.
Driver's License
A driver's license renewal is $38.50 to renew for four years and $77.00 when renewing for eight years.
Registration Renewal
The registration renewal cost ranges from $26 to up to $96, depending on the age of the vehicle. There are also use fees to pay that vary based on the vehicle and its location.
Buying & Selling
Vehicle sales must be managed carefully to ensure they are legally binding. This means filing all the proper paperwork and recording it with the DMV.
Declare the Vehicle Purchase Price
Every seller in Oklahoma is required to report the purchase price of a vehicle to the state once it's sold. This can be accomplished using form 722-1. Sellers must send the form to the Oklahoma tax commission once the vehicle sale is finalized.
Provide an Odometer Disclosure Form
There have been many issues with false odometer readings. Although it isn't always required, it's best for every seller to provide an odometer disclosure statement to the buyer. This can be completed by filling out form 729.
Provide a Lien-Free Title
The seller must provide the buyer with the vehicle's title. The seller needs to flip the title over and fill out all the information on the back. This information is essential to enable the buyer to title and register the vehicle.
Return License Plates
Before the vehicle leaves the seller's property, the license plates should be removed and returned to the DMV. The plates must not be used by the buyer; instead, they can only be used by the seller or returned.
Cancel Insurance
Finally, the last step is to cancel the insurance policy on the vehicle. There is no reason to pay for insurance for a vehicle that's no longer being used by the seller.
Research the Vehicle
As the buyer, it's never advisable to purchase an unfamiliar vehicle without conducting some research. To simplify the research process, invest in a License Plate Lookup or a Vehicle History Search from GoodCar. These two services both provide the following information:
With this information, it is much easier to accurately gauge whether a vehicle purchase makes sense or not.
Obtain an Odometer Disclosure
It isn't required for every vehicle, but it's a good practice for buyers to obtain an odometer disclosure form from the seller. This form serves as proof of the vehicle's odometer reading at the time of purchase.
Get a Clean Title
Every buyer should look closely at the vehicle's title to ensure the VIN matches, and there are no liens listed on it. The title should be filled out completely by the seller before the buyer leaves with the vehicle.
Obtain Car Insurance
Acquire a liability insurance policy from an Oklahoma insurance specialist to cover any damages if the vehicle gets into an accident. Proof of this insurance policy will be required when registering the vehicle.
Title and Register the Vehicle
The buyer must fill out an Application for Oklahoma Certificate of Title form (701-6) and present it to a Service Oklahoma location to register and title the vehicle. Along with the form, the buyer must also have proof of insurance, the title, an odometer disclosure statement, and a driver's license. With all that information, the buyer can pay the registration and titling fees and allow the vehicle to drive on the road.
Pay Sales Taxes
A purchased vehicle comes with 3.25% sales taxes that must be paid at the time of registration.
Registration
A vehicle registration costs between $26 and $96, based on the age of the vehicle.
Title
There is a small $11.00 vehicle title fee that's required when titling a vehicle.
Laws and Regulations
Oklahoma roads are governed by strict laws that all drivers within the state are expected to know and follow. Having up-to-date legal information about the state's driving laws is important for getting around effectively.
There are strict laws penalizing drivers who operate vehicles under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Oklahoma. All drivers over 21 should know to avoid a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) of 0.08 or higher when driving. This equates to approximately 3 to 5 alcoholic drinks. Minors under 21 must not have any detectable alcohol in their system when driving, or they can be charged with a DUI.
DUI Charges
Oklahoma drivers who are charged with a DUI will face expensive fees, license suspension periods, potential jail time, and the potential to have an ignition interlock system installed on the vehicle for a set period of time.
Learn more about the penalties that come with DUI offenses by reading the Oklahoma Highway Safety page.
All vehicle passengers and drivers in Oklahoma must wear a seat belt at all times. This law is enforced at all times. Drivers and passengers over 18 may both receive fines for not being buckled, and the driver will receive a fine for every minor in the vehicle who isn't properly buckled.
Car Seat Specifications
Knowing which car seats to use for different children is essential for keeping them all safe.
Rear-Seat Car Seats
A rear-seat car seat should be used for children two and younger who remain within the weight and height limits of the seat.
Forward-Facing Car Seat
Once children are over age 2, they are often ready to move to a forward-facing car seat. Look at the rear-seat specifications to verify the child is large enough to switch configurations. Once a child surpasses age 4, they may be large enough to ride safely in a booster seat.
Booster Seat
Between the ages of 4 and 8, children must remain in a car seat or booster seat. Children should use a booster seat until they are at least 4'9" tall.
See the specifics about Oklahoma child safety seats online at this Oklahoma Highway Safety guide.
Adding tint to windows in Oklahoma is an excellent way to keep vehicles cooler and add some privacy. There are restrictions on what tint options can be used on Oklahoma vehicles.
According to state law, any tint is allowed on the top five inches of a windshield as long as it's non-reflective. Front-side windows must allow at least 25% of the visible light to pass through. Rear windows can have any tint darkness on them legally.
New vehicles purchased in Oklahoma are covered by the state's Lemon Law if they are under 10,000 pounds and for personal use. The Lemon Law states the vehicle may not suffer from major defects that result in unsafe driving conditions or a significantly reduced resale value.
If major defects exist in a new vehicle, the manufacturer must repair the issues once informed by certified mail. The manufacturer gets four attempts to repair the issue, and if the repairs are unsuccessful, the vehicle is declared a lemon. A vehicle sitting in the shop for 30 or more days due to manufacturer repairs is also deemed a lemon.
When vehicles are lemons, the manufacturer is legally responsible to replace them or refund their value.
Get all the specifics about Oklahoma's Lemon Law using the Attorney General's Webpage.
Useful Things to Know
Find a Service Oklahoma Driver Services Location: Most driver services are available at Service Oklahoma locations or online. Locate a nearby service center by using this search tool to filter by location and service: Service Oklahoma Driving Services Office Locator
Read the Driver's Manual: Use the online Oklahoma Driver's Manual to learn the latest laws, legal requirements, and more concerning driving in the state. This information is especially important for drivers seeking their first license in the state: Online Oklahoma Driver Manual
Locate EV Charging Stations: Many Oklahoma residents have electric vehicles that must be charged in public occasionally. EV owners can benefit by knowing how to locate public charging stations effectively: Oklahoma EV Charging Station Search Tool
Get Oklahoma Car Crash Trends: Oklahoma is well-known as one of the most dangerous states to drive in throughout the country because of its risk for fatal car accidents. Studies show 762 total fatalities from 681 accidents in 2021. Oklahoma suffered from 1.7 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, putting it in the top 10 most dangerous states in the country for traffic fatalities for that year. Get the complete picture with Oklahoma traffic accident statistics from GoodCar.
Get the Latest Oklahoma Vehicle Information with GoodCar
Oklahoma vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.