Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re renewing a license, registering a vehicle, or handling a title transfer, our DMV Frequently Asked Questions section is here to help. Find quick answers to common concerns so you know exactly what to bring, what to expect, and how we can assist—no guesswork needed.

Updated Oklahoma DMV Services

Full Electronic Title

  • July 1, 2025 – All titles in Oklahoma will be issued electronically instead of being physically printed.

Real ID Travel Deadline

  • May 7, 2025 – Some form of FEDERALLY COMPLIANT ID will be needed for all domestic travel. Real ID’s WILL continue to be issued indefinitely.

Cherokee License Plates

  • Jun 1, 2025 – Service Oklahoma locations will be able to issue out Cherokee tribe license plates. An Oklahoma title will be generated – not Cherokee.

Epilepsy Designation on DL

  • July 1, 2026 – Individuals with epilepsy can voluntarily add a designation on their driver’s license and ID.

Military Surplus Registration

  • Nov 1, 2025 – All military surplus vehicles that drive on OK roads and highways now have to be registered – regardless of their age.

Excise Tax on Sell Price

  • July 1, 2026 – The excise tax on a vehicle is now figured on the sell price instead of the NADA value. If you get a car for a great deal this will be beneficial. If you go to a predatory dealership that ups the price by 150%+ it will hurt. Be sure to compare NADA and cash value to avoid overpaying.

Pre-Registration

  • Sept. 1, 2024 – Preregistration took effect in Oklahoma in an effort to cut down on how long paper tags are on vehicles. Now within two business days of sale of a vehicle the seller or buyer will have to submit preregistration information.

Driver's License & ID's

What documents are required to apply for or renew an Oklahoma driver license or ID card?

You’ll need one primary ID (like a certified birth certificate or passport), proof of Oklahoma residency (utility bill or lease), your Social Security number (card isn’t required), and name change documents if applicable. For REAL ID, two proofs of residency are required.

Can I replace a lost or stolen license/ID at a Diamond Tag Agency?

Yes. Bring your primary ID, proof of residency, SSN, and pay the replacement fee.

What if my driver license or ID is expired over a year—what’s required to renew?

If expired more than 3 years, you must reapply, including retaking the written and driving tests.

What is the process for obtaining a REAL ID?

Bring your primary ID, proof of residency, SSN, and two proofs of residency at your visit to add the REAL ID star.

What is a Real ID?

All Oklahoma DLs and IDs are a new format card.  Along with adding security features on the card, there are two types.  Compliant means you brought in the required identification documents and non-compliant (not for real id purposes) means you did not.

What documents do I need to bring if my name has changed?

If your name has changed due to a marriage (ie changing name to spouses name) we need the marriage certificate or a certified copy to scan. If your name has changed due to a divorce (ie changing a name back to maiden name) we need the divorce decree and the divorce decree must state you are taking back your previous name. Divorce decrees DO NOT work for showing a change to a married name. So if your previous last name was Moore and your married last name was Smith a divorce decree DOES NOT qualify to show the change from Moore (maiden) to Smith (married). Only from Smith back to Moore. All other name changes need to have the correct court appointed name change documents for the transaction to proceed.

Why become Real ID compliant?

Starting May 2025 a federally compliant ID will be needed to travel by airplane in the United States. If you travel by air within the United States frequently or enter federal buildings, but do not wish to keep up a passport a real ID might be beneficial to you.

What forms of documentation can you guys take?

We can only take printed copies of all documentation. Documents on a phone screen or other screen can not be scanned in a legible manner.

What is a name change document?

The most common name change document is a marriage license. If your marriage license has a “to be known as” line or something to that effect then it is a name change document. Divorce decrees work if they explicitly state the person is changing to returning to a name. Divorce decree does not show the change to the married name. Ammendments to birth certificates and court ordered name change documents are also name change documents. Naturalization certificate also gives the person a chance to change their name and if they chose that option they would need the Naturalization certificate to show the name change.

Is the real ID a driver’s license or do I need a separate drivers license?

A real ID or compliant drivers license functions as a normal driver’s license, but just works as a federal ID as well because you have proven your identity to a federal standard.

What is an original document?

We can only take printed copies of all documentation. Documents on a phone screen or other screen can not be scanned in a legible manner.

Titles & Registrations

What do I do with my plate?

Oklahoma law changed in 2019 and the plate now belongs to the person rather than the vehicle.  The seller keeps the plate and you can bring in any plate from a vehicle you have sold or traded in. 

What do I do if the seller kept their plate?

Per Oklahoma law you have fifteen days to drive around without a plate with a notarized bill of sale within the vehicle.  Once that fifteen days has passed, you will either need to park the car or bring in the paperwork for us to issue you a tag.

What do I do when I've paid off my vehicle?

Now that Oklahoma is a title holding state once a vehicles lien is paid off you should receive a packet from the lien holder with your title and lien release papers  in the mail. If the title has a lien printed on it you can either keep the lien release papers with it or bring in the release papers and title to get an $11 duplicate and release

What do I do if I've lost my title?

The registered owner is the only person that can apply for a new title.  The owner or owners depending on how the title reads would come in and fill out a form.  The actual title itself will come in the mail in about a week.

Do I need to add the new car to my insurance first?

While it is true that you are covered while driving the new car, you will have to have added it to your insurance for us to be able to process the paperwork.  We can take insurance that is temporary.  You would just need to email that over to us.

Can I renew registration early?

We can process a renewal up to one month early.  This will not change your due date.  One or two years, depending on what registration length you go with, will be added to the current expiration.

What do I need to carry in the car?

As of July 2019 Oklahoma law changed and a copy of your current registration is now required to be kept in your car.  The format for registrations has been altered.  There are two on the page.  One without an address for you to keep in the vehicle.

Are electric vehicles priced differently?

Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have an extra registration cost associated with them based on the weight of the vehicle. So you will pay the normal registration and the electric/plug-in hybrid registration annually. This price breakdown can be found on our registration page under “Hybrid or Electric”.

What do I do if I have lost my sticker or my plate?

You would need to bring in insurance on the vehicle that needs the replacement.  The registered owner is the only one who can request the replacement.  There is a form to fill out and a cost associated with either sticker or plate.

Do I have to renew if the vehicle isn't running?

Oklahoma law requires that all vehicles are renewed every year or penalty will be assessed.  There is an option to black tag the vehicle.  When you black tag you are still paying the same registration fee, the money saved is on insurance.

DMV Help Center: Your Questions, Answered

Confused about fees, forms, or requirements? Our FAQ page breaks down the most common DMV service questions so you can feel confident before you even walk in. Check it out and save time by being prepared for your visit.