A "Title" is a legal document issued by the relevant State authorities ( Usually the state's DMV - Department of Motor Vehicles) which shows some identifying characteristics of the vehicle, usually VIN, year and make of the vehicle with the name and address of the owner, together with any registered lien holders (Finance company, bank) that may have an interest it the vehicle. It is an ownership document, just like a Property Deed or Copy of Extract for real property. All States issue vehicle Titles at least for newer vehicles, but some do not for older ones. In Illinois, all vehicles have a title. When purchasing a vehicle, this title is signed and addressed by the purchaser and the state will issue a new title in the name of this new owner, for a one time fee of course as long as the secured interest is paid off or added on as well. This is not (NOT) a registration document as the V5 (logbook). It only shows ownership. You also have to register (license) the vehicle in your domicile state and of course another fee (annual), and with this registration comes the number plate. The plates do not stay with the car. They belong to the owner of the registration, the license or whatever the individual states call it, and can be transferred between vehicles as long as they are the same class and same owner. It used to be that plates were issued each year, and that these plates would typically be a different number. Currently most states issue a plate now for multiple years and each year when you pay the fee you receive a dated decal to put on the plate to show that the plate is currently licensed and valid. You also obtain with this yearly act, an index sized card with the number, vehicle, VIN, etc., to carry in the glove box. In the event that the vehicle does not have a VIN, as in older cars, then this is substituted with some other number usually the chassis number or engine number. I hope that this clears it up, or bogs you down even further. The fees are not generally that great, In Illinois the title for a vehicle is $65.00 but the annual registration fee depends on the class of the vehicle. Typically a modern car is $78 per year, however special class such as "Antique Vehicle" (over 20 years old I think) the plates are issued for upto five years with no annual renewal needed for only $30.00 in total. Supposedly there are limitations on the use of the antique???, but not strictly enforced. This is especially true in a small town such as mine where everyone knows each other, yet even when away from home the police are more interested in the novelty, rather than the legality. Sorry for the run-on. Ian.