Just moved to Cleveland from out of State?

Just moved to Cleveland Tennessee and need to get a driver license and your car registered? Here is what you will need to do...

WHAT: You must obtain a Tennessee driver license, and title and register your vehicle in state.

WHEN: Within 30 days to obtain a driver license; immediately to register and title your vehicle.

WHERE: County Clerk's office .

WHY: For our residents' safety and well-being, we must ensure that all drivers in Tennessee know the rules of the road and all vehicles are properly titled and registered.

HOW: To get a driver license, bring your out of state license to any driver licensing station. If your license is still valid, you may convert it to a Tennessee driver license by passing a vision screening exam. If your license has expired, a written knowledge exam and a driving test will also be required. A driver license can be issued for 3-7 years and fees are pro-rated. A five year license is $19.50.

TO TITLE AND REGISTER YOUR VEHICLE: Bring the current registration and certificate of title to your county clerk. Your application for a Tennessee certificate of title will serve as the ownership document and registration until the new certificate of title is mailed to you or your lien holder. Costs include an $8 title fee, a $23 passenger vehicle registration fee, and a $1 mailing fee. Most counties and some cities also require payment of a wheel tax. The amount will vary.

MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW: Drivers in Tennessee are not required by law to carry liability insurance but are subject to the state's Financial Responsibility Law. The purpose of this law is to protect you and the public from financially irresponsible drivers who become involved in an accident, as well as from drivers who have repeated violations and disregard the law. The best way to protect yourself and your driver license if you do have an accident or if you are convicted of certain moving violations would be to have adequate insurance to cover death, bodily injury, and property damage.

First, a few definitions:

• Liability insurance provides coverage for damages you cause to other persons.
• Collision insurance provides coverage for damages sustained to your vehicle.
• Uninsured motorist insurance provides for coverage for damages uninsured persons cause you.

Collision insurance is not addressed by the Financial Responsibility Law. However, car owners should carry liability insurance because driving privileges can be suspended if there is no liability insurance policy in effect at the time of several events. These include:

• Contributing to a reportable accident (an accident involving death, injury, or property damage in excess of $400).
• Conviction of any of the following traffic offenses: Reckless driving; driving while unlicensed; driving on a cancelled, suspended or revoked license; driving an unregistered vehicle; driving a vehicle with revoked registration; failing to stop after a traffic accident; vehicular homicide; drag racing; or, refusal to submit to a test to determine alcohol or drug content of your blood.

If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident with an uninsured driver, would you be financially protected? State law requires your insurance agent to offer you coverage against uninsured or underinsured drivers.

OTHER INFORMATION: Tennessee requires that vehicle drivers, front-seat passengers and children ages 4 through 12 wear seat belts. Children younger than 4 must sit in approved child restraint devices.

You may contribute $1 to the Tennessee Organ Awareness Program with your vehicle registration.

BE SURE TO REGISTER TO VOTE:

Register to vote and obtain your new driver license at the same time. Now you can save time by registering to vote at the same time you are applying for or renewing your driver's license at your motor vehicle office.

Mail in your registration. Avoid waiting in line! You can pick up a mail-in voter registration form at the public library, post office, County Clerk's office or Register of Deeds office.

You can also register in person at your local voter registration office.

Don't wait until it's too late to register or change your voter registration records. The last date to register in person before in election is 30 days before the election.

For further assistance, call your local Election Commission Office, or call the Secretary of State, Division of Elections at (615) 741-7956.