Since September 1, 2024, Oklahoma's Mason Treat Act has changed what happens after you buy a vehicle. Temporary paper tags now last ten days instead of two months. Service Oklahoma calls the new process "Ready, Set, Tag." Here's the timeline.
Within 2 business days: pre-register
The vehicle has to be pre-registered within two business days of the sale. Business days are Monday through Friday, not counting state holidays.
- From a dealer: the dealer does it for you and gives you a 10-day paper tag.
- From a private seller: you or the seller submits it on Navigate, or you can do it in person at a Licensed Operator like us. Do it in person and you'll leave with your decals, and a plate if you need one.
You'll need the VIN; the year, make, model and type; the date of sale; your name, address, email and phone number; and your plate number if you're moving a plate over from another vehicle.
By day 10: plate and decals on
Within ten days of the sale, the car needs a metal license plate with two pre-registration decals:
- The month decal goes in the top left corner
- The TEMPORARY decal goes in the top right corner
If you pre-registered online, the decals (and a plate, if needed) come in the mail from the Licensed Operator picked during pre-registration. Keeping a plate from a car you sold? Just put the new decals on it.
Within 2 months: full registration
You have two months from the date of sale to title the vehicle, pay sales and excise tax, and finish registering in person at a Licensed Operator. Bring:
- Proof of Oklahoma insurance
- The title. From a dealer with an electronic title, you'll get an Electronic Title Bill of Sale instead.
- The purchase agreement, if you bought from a dealer. For a private sale, the price written on the Oklahoma title is enough, or Form 722-1 if the title doesn't show it
- Your driver license
- Form 729, the odometer disclosure, for 2011 and newer vehicles if the title doesn't include it
- For a brand-new vehicle: the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin from the dealer and Form 701-6
You'll get standard month and year decals to put over the pre-registration decals. All of the forms are on our forms page, and we can usually print them for you at the office.
What's exempt
Pre-registration doesn't apply to ATVs and UTVs, boats and outboard motors, most trailers, off-road motorcycles or manufactured homes, among a few others. Vehicles bought before September 1, 2024 didn't need it either.
Bought it outside Oklahoma?
Pre-registration is for vehicles bought in Oklahoma. For a vehicle bought or registered in another state, see our moving to Oklahoma questions.