What paperwork should you keep inside your vehicle

Having the right paperwork ready and waiting in your vehicle can save you time and energy. These critical documents will help make sure that your vehicle is completely legal and that you have easy access to critical paperwork that you might need in the event of an emergency or when you encounter a vehicle breakdown. With that said, here is a quick list of documents that you should keep in your vehicle at all times.

Your vehicle’s Official Receipt (OR) and its Certificate of Registration (CR) are two of the most important pieces of paper you will need to have in your vehicle at all times. This is proof that your vehicle belongs to you and that it has been registered properly. Without these two documents, you will not be legally able to drive your vehicle on the road. That said, you don’t need to have the originals inside your vehicle as a photocopy of each is enough. Make sure that you keep the original copies of your OR/CR in your home for safekeeping. 

Another set of documents you might want to have inside your vehicle at all times is your car insurance policy. This will provide you with a wealth of information as to who to contact and what will be covered if your car ends up in an accident. Aside from this, you can also utilize your car insurance to get free lodging or a tow if your policy permits. With that said, it’s still handy to have this with you and in your vehicle at all times.

If there is another document that shouldn’t leave your car aside from your OR/CR it would be the owner’s manual. This is your complete guide to your vehicle that holds pretty much all the answers to frequently asked questions you might have about it. It will help you troubleshoot problems with your car and it will even show you how to properly use the features that your vehicle has. Needless to say, as it holds a wealth of information and it shouldn’t leave your vehicle. 

Most of us know by now that your car’s battery is an integral part of your vehicle as it is one of the critical components that get your vehicle started. Without it, your car would end up stranded in your parking space or by the side of the road. While this primarily applies to brand new vehicles that have their batteries straight from the dealership that will last about a year it’s still something you should keep in your car. If your battery fails prematurely and it is within its warranty period you can easily use it to make a claim and get a new battery within the day. While it may take more space in your storage compartment in your vehicle it’s still a handy document to have that will bring you convenience later on. 

While this isn’t a hard requirement to have in your vehicle, it is still highly recommended that you have a copy of your car’s service history in your vehicle. While this applies to older vehicles that are out of warranty, having these documents in your car will give you quick access as to when you had it last checked and will give you reminders as to when you will need your next oil change or service. With that in mind, you don’t need to have all the service records stored within your vehicle, just the most recent paperwork will do. 

This mainly pertains to special cases where a vehicle will need a specific document needed to make sure it is road legal. This can pertain to anything such as a letter of authorization from the LTO for your makeshift plate to an affidavit of loss for a lost plate. In any case, if your car has any special documentation needs then it is best to always have a copy of it on hand and in your vehicle. This will make any traffic stops go easier and it will save you the hassle of having to get it from your home.