Car purchase and registration

 Good morning from a freezing day,

On Friday I took my car for renewal of the registration. All cars have to be checked yearly and renew the registration. With a small difference for foreigners; the number plates of our cars also change every year.

RP and that two numbers means this is a foreigner car and has registration until that year (with this screenshot 2008)

To be able to register a car under your name; you have to have a residence permit first. With residence permit, you will receive JMGB number (Jedinstveni matični broj građana) which means unique personal ID number. 

This number will be the key of everything for you such as opening a bank account, make a payment, register water, electricity, etc. I heard as some people make a purchase contract and keep the car under the name of previous owner but indeed, I did not feel safe this for both sides. 

Second hand cars are quite cheap here. I preferred to work with an auto dealer at Podgorica. Even you can have a look to the prices from web pages such as autodiler. 

I applied for renewal of the residence permit on 13th December and they gave the date for delivery on 24th January. Before renewal or proof of renewal of the residence permit you can not renew the registration of the car.

The registration and control points of the cars are placed all around Montenegro. You see "Tehnicki Pregled" means technical review. They take the keys and check the car for tyres, lights, engine, breaks, exhaust and even the water of the windscreen. All must be working properly.

Then they give you a paper which iproofing that technical review of the car is completed and you are waiting for you new registration and number plates. This paper is valid for 30 days hence you have to keep it properly. Last year there was a small mistake with my plates; instead of 22, they put 21 one hence issued again but took around 40 days until I have my papers and plates. They spoken with MUP and issued another paper for me which says I have additional 30 days. To avoid any problem, better to follow them all and not to hesitate to ask for help/support.

If you are planning to drive international; you have to have a green card insurance. Some neighbour countries do not ask for but some of them do. It costs 20 Euros/year for Montenegro plated cars therefore better to have it. Also you have to wait for your new number plates to be able to buy this insurance. 

As far as I understood, yes, Tehnicki pregled points are placed on everywhere but number plates are prepared by one point at Podgorica therefore more less within 30 days I hope to have new documents and plates. Crossed the fingers.

Time to time police makes controls on the roads as suprise therefore better to follow the rules and keeps all papers as required would be better to avoid any problems.

Take care and stay safe

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