Just Moved to Oklahoma. How Do I Transfer My Driver's License and Vehicle Registration?

by Jim on July 19, 2022

Tags: Oklahoma drivers license, OK DMV, Oklahoma

Welcome to the Sooner State! You’re probably ready to hit the road and check out the scenery Oklahoma has to offer. However, before you start exploring, you need to make sure your out-of-state documents are transferred to the state of Oklahoma. Here’s your guide that will help you successfully transfer your out-of-state documentation to the state of Oklahoma.

Transferring Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Oklahoma

Individuals can transfer their driver’s license from a different state without being required to take the Oklahoma written driver’s test if your driving record meets the standards set by the Department of Public Safety.

You must surrender either of the following:

A valid, unexpired driver’s license issued by a different state for the same type or types of vehicles

An expired driver’s license that has not been expired for more than 6 months past the expiration date that is listed on the driver’s license or a driver’s license that is not a Class A, B, or C commercial driver’s license or commercial driver’s license permit

All applicants are required to appear in person before a driver license examiner and provide primary and secondary documents for proof of:

Identity
Full legal name
Birth date
Legal presence in the United States

You must present the following documentation:

Primary ID (such as a state-certified birth certificate) Click here for a list of acceptable primary ID documents.
Applicant must bring their out-of-state driver’s license

Social security card
If your last name differs from the name on your primary ID, you are required to take any documents that prove a legal name change (marriage, adoption, divorce documentation, etc.) Click here for more information.

Once your documents have been accepted, you will be required to take the Oklahoma driver’s vision test. If you pass this test, you will be given a form that you need to take with your identification documents and out-of-state driver’s license to the OK tag agency. At the tag agency, you will pay all applicable fees and will receive your permanent Oklahoma driver’s license.

Transferring a Learner’s Permit from a Different State (Between the Age of 16 and 18)

All applicants are required to appear before an Oklahoma driver’s license examiner. The driver’s license examiner will process the application and arrange for time to be credited towards the 6-month learner’s permit requirement.

If you haven’t taken Oklahoma driver’s education, if your driver’s permit was issued before your 16th birthday, you will receive credit from your 16th birthday. If you’ve already had Oklahoma driver’s education and the permit was issued before your 16th birthday, you will receive credit from the issue date.

If the out-of-state permit was issued before your 16th birthday, you will receive credit from the permit issue date. If you are paying the applicable Oklahoma driver’s fees with a credit card, your permit can be printed at the DPS location. If you’re paying the necessary fees with a money order or cash, the examiner will provide a form that you need to take to the tag agency where you can pay the fees and receive your OK permit.

There is specific documentation you need to provide. You can find the complete document list here. You need to bring your out-of-state driver’s license. If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must be present. If you have an out-of-state learner’s permit, you must present this at the DMV office.

h2(#transferring-your-drivers-license-from-a-u.s.-territory). Transferring Your Driver’s License from a U.S. Territory

If you have a driver’s license from a U.S. territory that is not expired, you can transfer it to the state of Oklahoma without being required to take the Oklahoma written examination or driving test. If your driver’s license has expired, you will be required to take the OK written and driving test. You must appear in person before a driver license examiner and provide primary and secondary documentation that proves your:

Identity
Full legal name
Birth date
Proof of legal presence in the United States

You must also provide the following:

Primary ID (state-certified birth certificate, etc.) Click here for a list of acceptable primary identification documents.
Your territory license if you possess a valid driver’s license that is issued by any U.S. possession or territory, including:
- American Samoa
- Guam
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
- Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands

You are required to present an English translation of your traffic record dated within 60 days to the examiner for your tests to be waived.

Social security number
If your last name on the OK license is different from your name listed on the primary ID, you are required to bring documentation that proves your legal name change, such as a:
- Marriage certificate
- Adoption certificate
- Divorce certificate

You can bring other documents that prove your legal name change. The documents you present should connect all of your last names from the birth certificate to your current last name. You can find out more information about name changes here.

Once the examiner accepts your documents, you will take the Oklahoma vision test. If you pass the vision test, you will be given a form to take to the tag agency along with your identification documents. At the agency, you will pay the applicable fees and your driver’s license will be printed.

Oklahoma Driver’s Written Test

The questions on the Oklahoma written test are taken from the Oklahoma Driver’s Manual. The questions on the OK driver’s written test pertain to the traffic laws, road rules, road signs, and safe driving practices in the state of Oklahoma. The OK DMV test consists of 25 questions. Of these 25 questions, you need to answer at least 20 questions correctly to pass with a minimum passing score of 80%.

If you fail the OK driver’s written test, you are required to wait at least one day before you can retake the test. The minimum age to apply to take this driving test is 15 ½.

Oklahoma Driver’s Vision Standards

In the state of Oklahoma, the vision standard is 20/40. If you fail to meet this standard, you will be referred to an optometrist to take a vision test and a Report of Vision Examination will be provided. When you return to the OK DMV to retake your vision test, your Report of Vision Examination will be reviewed. If you pass the DPS vision retest, you will be able to renew your driver’s license, and you are required to wear your corrective lenses or glasses, if applicable, when retaking the OK vision test and operating a motor vehicle.

Oklahoma Road Test (in-car)

The Oklahoma road test, also known as the in-car test, determines how well you can follow the traffic laws of Oklahoma and how well you can safely operate a motor vehicle. You will be tested on parking, using turn signals, switching lanes, following road signs, and more.

Transferring Your Vehicle Registration to Oklahoma

You are required to transfer your vehicle’s registration in person when you move to Oklahoma or purchase a new vehicle. Vehicles include cars, trucks, and motorcycles. The vehicle registration fees in Oklahoma are based on different factors.

Once you establish residency in Oklahoma, you have 30 days to title and register your vehicle with the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OK OTC). Before you can apply for a vehicle title certificate and vehicle registration, you must have a valid OK auto insurance policy.

Registering Your Vehicle in Oklahoma

When you purchase a vehicle in Oklahoma, you are required to title and register the vehicle in person at your local OTC tag agent office.

You will need to take these items with you:

A completed Application for Oklahoma Certificate of Title for a Vehicle (Form 701-6)
Proof of ownership, such as:
- Your out-of-state vehicle title (if you’re new to Oklahoma)
- The manufacturer’s certificate of origin (for new vehicles)

The current vehicle title transferred to you (for a used vehicle you purchased)

Proof of a valid OK auto insurance policy
Your license plate from the previous vehicle (if applicable)
Payment for the OK vehicle title and registration fees
Lien documentation (if your vehicle is financed)
An odometer disclosure statement (if the vehicle is model year 2011 or newer-this information can be included on the transferred vehicle title)

If you have a used vehicle or purchased your vehicle from a different state, the OK tag agent will perform a vehicle identification number (VIN) and/or odometer inspection before you will be issued your vehicle title certificate.

Oklahoma License Plates

You’ll receive an OK license plate when you register your vehicle. License plates stay with the vehicle’s owner. If and when you purchase a vehicle, you’ll need to transfer your existing license plate to it.

The OTC issues all standard license plates as well as special license plates, such as personalized plates and tags for organizations and military veterans. If you are eligible, you can also apply for a disabled parking plate.

Fees to Register Your Vehicle in Oklahoma

The required fee to register your vehicle is based on different factors. The first time you register your vehicle in Oklahoma, you will pay:

Title fee: $11
Registration fee:
- Motor vehicle: $96
- Motorcycle: $99

You will also be required to pay:

Title transfer fee for a vehicle you just purchased: $17
VIN inspection fee for used or out-of-state vehicles: $4
A lien processing fee if your vehicle is financed:
- If the lienholder is in Oklahoma: $10
- If the lienholder is outside of Oklahoma: $13
Postage fee: $5 to mail a license plate
Excise tax (if you’re transferring ownership)

You can contact the OTC at (800) 522-8165, ext. 1-3101. The OTC offers reduced registration fees to several groups, including modified vehicles for physical disabilities, which is $36.

Oklahoma DPS Locations

There are different Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) locations throughout the state of Oklahoma where you can transfer your out-of-state vehicle documents and take care of other motor vehicle-related transactions.

Oklahoma Department of Public Safety - Norman Branch

430 Berry Rd

Norman, OK 73069