How To Register a Car In Pennsylvania
You have 20 days to title and register your vehicle once you establish Pennsylvania residency.
Written by Shannon Fitzgerald
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
When you move to
Pennsylvania
, you have 20 days to title
and register your vehicle. Technically, new residents have 60 days to switch over to a Pennsylvania driver’s license, but you’ll need a state ID to complete the registration process first. Once your car is officially a Pennsylvania vehicle, online registration renewal will make your life a little easier. Until then, you’ll need to bring certain documents, like proof of your
Pennsylvania car insurance
, to your nearest PennDOT office in person. Jerry
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How to register a car in Pennsylvania
Registering your car in Pennsylvania generally involves filling out an application and proving vehicle ownership, identity, and proper car insurance coverage. There is a $39 registration fee state-wide and a $5 annual residence fee per registered vehicle in certain counties.
Here’s how to go about Pennsylvania vehicle registration depending on your situation.
If you just moved to Pennsylvania
Out-of-state vehicle registration in Pennsylvania is luckily pretty straightforward. To start, you’ll need to have a valid Pennsylvania ID and you’ll need to complete your registration within 20 days of establishing residency.
Initial steps
Since you’re required to transfer to a
Pennsylvania driver’s license
within 60 days anyway, it might be a good idea to obtain one before you register. You can do so in person at any PennDOT Driver License Center
. A four-year standard license will cost $30.50. Before you can register and title your vehicle in Pennsylvania, your out-of-state title must also be surrendered to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). If there are any outstanding liens on your title, you may have to refinance the remaining balance through another lender. Therefore, be sure to check with your lienholder to see what their requirements might be before you head to a registration location.
Form MV-1—Application for Certificate of Title
Drivers will need to present a completed Form MV-1 to PennDOT when registering an out-of-state vehicle. This form can only be obtained from an authorized agent—most inspection mechanics, notaries, dealers, PennDOT agents, and service agents at PennDot’s messenger locations are authorized. Though your agent will fill out most of the form through information on your title and driver’s license, you may want the following information on hand:
- Purchase price of your vehicle—this is used to determine how much tax you will pay (if applicable)
- Type of fuel your vehicle uses
- Odometer mileage reading
The first section of Form MV-1 also requires VIN tracing or VIN verification. PennDOT wants proof that the VIN in your title matches the VIN inside your car. While some vehicles have an easily accessible VIN plate that can be traced with tracing paper, most vehicles can simply get verified via visual inspection by the agent processing your registration.
Pro tip: If you want to get an idea of what information your registration application will require, you can take a look atPennDOT’s MV-1 Fact Sheet.
Fees and necessary documents
Now that you’ve completed all the initial steps toward securing your Pennsylvania registration, here’s what you’ll need to bring to a PennDOT location.
- Valid out-of-state title
- Valid Pennsylvania ID
- Proof of Pennsylvania car insurance
- VIN verification and completed Form MV-1 (can be done at the DMV)
- If transferring state registration for a leased vehicle—a completedForm MV-1L(must be filled out by your leasing company)
- Check or payment card for applicable registration and tax fees (PennDOT does NOT accept cash)
Registration and tax fees vary depending on your county and car. If you’ve held your title for six or more months, you won’t have to pay sales tax upon registration. However, if you’ve held it for less than six months, you will either need to provide proof that you paid sales tax to your previous state or pay Pennsylvania’s 6% sales tax (7% in Allegheny County and 8% in
Philadelphia
).Some counties may also impose a $5 annual residence fee on your vehicle and/or require an emissions test, which can cost between $40 and $50.
As for state-wide registration fees: Your new Pennsylvania title will cost $58 and passenger vehicle registration costs $39. Within 10 days of your vehicle’s registration, you will also need to get a Pennsylvania safety inspection at an official inspection station. Fees for your inspection are determined by the station, but you can expect to pay between $25 and $55 (not including any required repairs).
Pro tip: Not all PennDOT locations offer out-of-state registration services, so it’s a good idea to call ahead to check first.
If you just bought a car
When you buy a new or used car as a Pennsylvania resident, your registration process is a little simpler. First, follow our guide to
transferring the Pennsylvania title
into your name. Then you can register your vehicle with an authorized PennDOT agent on the same visit. Note that you’ll need to get a state inspection within 10 days of your sale date, and either transfer or obtain new plates. If you bought your car from a dealership, they’ll usually take care of the title and registration for you.
How much insurance coverage do you need in Pennsylvania?
Before you can legally operate a vehicle in Pennsylvania, it’s required that you purchase or update existing car insurance to meet
Pennsylvania’s coverage minimums
. If you’re new to the state, you’ll therefore need to make sure you have at least the following in your policy.- $30,000 of bodily injury liability per accident
Though having these liability insurance minimums will get you all set for your registration, you may want to consider strengthening your coverage with
collision
, comprehensive
, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
. How to renew your Pennsylvania vehicle registration
Your Pennsylvania car registration needs to be renewed every year or every two years. Most passenger vehicles have the choice between a one-year or two-year renewal, costing $39 and $78 respectively. If your renewal form lists your two-year registration fees as “N/A”, your vehicle is not eligible for a two-year renewal.
Depending on your county, you may be charged a $5 residence fee for each year of renewed registration.
Typically, a registration renewal form will be mailed to you 90 days before your registration expires. Your registration generally expires one day after the last day of the month before the date of issuance. So, if your registration was issued on Nov. 14, you’ll need to have your registration renewed by Nov. 1 either one or two years later.
Should you wait more than two months past your expiration date to renew, your next registration expiration date will move backward a month (i.e., a Nov. 1 expiration will move to Oct. 1 for the next renewal). Renewing anytime before then, given there are at least six months left in your registration, will result in the expiration date moving forward a month (i.e., a Nov. 1 expiration will move to Dec. 1).
Driving with expired registration within that 60-day grace period will result in a $25 fine, which jumps to $75 or double your registration fee beyond that period.
You can renew your registration online through
PennDOT’s online system
, by mail, or in person at any Driver and Vehicle Service Center
or PennDOT messenger
location. No matter which method you choose, you’ll need the following to complete the transaction: - Title number
- License plate number
- Driver’s license number
- Valid Pennsylvania car insurance card
- Credit or debit card (online), or check for renewal fees
When renewing your Pennsylvania registration online, you’ll receive your new registration card digitally and will need to print it out on white paper. If you renew by mail, follow the instructions on your renewal form and send it to the enclosed address along with the payment designated in the fee chart. You’ll receive your new registration card via mail within ten business days.
If you don’t receive a renewal form in the mail, you can use
Form MV-140
or pick up an application in person. You can also process your renewal in person—just be aware that if you renew through a notary, messenger service, or motor club they may charge an extra fee. How to replace a lost registration sticker or registration card
Registration stickers are no longer required in Pennsylvania, so you only need to keep a registration card in your car. Should you lose your registration card, or if your registration card never arrives in the mail, you can
print a duplicate online
or request a duplicate via mail using Form MV-44
.How to save on auto insurance in Pennsylvania
To register your Pennsylvania vehicle, you’ll need to have
car insurance
that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements
first. With Jerry
’s help, you can quickly secure a Pennsylvania policy and even strengthen your coverage without breaking the bank. Here’s how: A
trustworthy insurance broker app
, Jerry instantly cross-analyzes quotes from over 55 top insurers to pinpoint the lowest rates for your coverage needs. Our licensed experts are a text or call away to guide you as you navigate state minimums or additional coverages. Then once you decide on a plan, we can help cancel your old policy for you and complete the calls and paperwork to get your savings started seamlessly. The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance, so it’s definitely worth the free look to protect your newly-registered Pennsylvania vehicle for less!
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FAQs
What do you need to register a car in Pennsylvania?
In general, you will need to have a valid title, proof of Pennsylvania car insurance, a photo ID, and a VIN verification to register your car in the Keystone State. You can only obtain a registration application from an authorized PennDOT agent, and applicable registration fees must be paid by card, check, or money order (NOT cash).
How much does it take to register a car in Pennsylvania?
One-year registration costs $39 for a passenger vehicle and two-year registration costs $78 in Pennsylvania. If you need a title, this will cost $58. Depending on your county, you may also need to pay a $5 residence fee and pass an emissions test each year. All Pennsylvania vehicles will need to pass a state inspection every year, or within ten days of registration or purchase. You can therefore expect to pay between $122 and $207 for a first-time one-year registration, with annual renewals costing between $64 and $139.
Can you register a car online in PA?
If you’re new to Pennsylvania or registering a newly-purchased car for the first time, you can only register your car in person at a PennDOT office. Afterward, you are free to
renew your registration online
, by mail, or at any PennDOT messenger or Driver and Vehicle Service Center.
Who is exempt from registering their vehicle in Pennsylvania?
If you are attending college or university, or you’re on active military duty, you are not considered a permanent Pennsylvania resident and do not need to register your vehicle in the state.
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