OKLAHOMA CITY Car buyers or sellers will soon be required to pre-register a vehicle tag after a new law goes into effect next month.
Starting Sept. 1, buyers have 10 days from the date of sale to complete a pre-registration process to get a metal license plate and decals on their vehicle.
According to Service Oklahoma, which oversees tag agencies, there is no additional cost for pre-registration and buyers still have 60 days to fully register and pay title and tax fees.
The Mason Treat Act, signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt earlier this year, is intended to limit law enforcement stops for paper tag checks. It is named after Oklahoma Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat’s son, Mason, who was critically injured during a traffic stop by a Canadian County Sheriff Deputy in January. While stopped, a tired driver collided with Treat’s vehicle. Both Treat and the deputy recovered from their injuries.
Treat said in a prepared statement the law is designed to increase safety.
“This legislation will save lives and ensure no one will have to endure what my family has gone through since my son Mason’s accident,” he said.
For buyers at dealerships, the seller will initiate the pre-registration process at the time of sale. Britnee Joyner, spokesperson for Service Oklahoma, said buyers can expect a tag and decals by mail.
“The dealership will submit the pre-registration information within two business days of the sale and if needed, provide a 10day temporary paper tag,” she said. “If the buyer is keeping their metal license plate from their previously owned vehicle, they will place that on their vehicle instead.”
Either the buyer or seller of a privately sold vehicle can perform the pre-registration online or in person at a tag agency or at Service Oklahoma, 6015 N. Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City.
For those who register online, the buyer will receive two decals and, if needed, a metal license plate in the mail from the buyer’s chosen tag agency. For in-person registrations, the agency will provide decals and a metal tag onsite.