Are you new to Pennsylvania, or have you recently purchased a vehicle in the state? If this is the case, you must update your records and obtain a Pennsylvania car registration.
Keeping your car registration up to date can help you stay in good standing on the road and avoid problems if pulled over.
Since drivers have a lot on their minds already, we’ve decided to make the pa registration lookup a bit easier.
Read our guide to learn more about how to register a car in Pennsylvania:
Why is Car Registration in Pennsylvania Required?
When you are pulled over for any reason, you are usually asked to show your license, registration, and insurance.
These documents demonstrate that you are legally permitted to drive, the legal owner of the vehicle and that you are insured in the event of an accident.
Registering a vehicle establishes a link between you, the driver, and the state in which you live. It also allows states to collect taxes and fees from motorists.
What Documents Are Needed For Car Registration in Pennsylvania?
The documents required for registration differ depending on whether the vehicle is new or used. However, if you have recently relocated to the state, the documents needed for out-of-state registration will differ.
If you are new to Pennsylvania, you must establish residency there. The second step is to obtain a driver’s license and register your vehicle. Third, you must have a safety examination and an emission inspection within ten days of registration.
You can renew your vehicle registration in Pennsylvania online, by mail, at a messenger service office, or any Driver and Vehicle Service Center.
To register a new car, you’ll need:
- Proof of ownership in the form of a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO) or a Manufacture Statement of Origin (MSO), or a Pennsylvania certificate of origin (PCO)
- Driver’s license
- Application for Certificate of Title
- Evidence of Insurance
- The California Air Resources Board may require new vehicles to be certified
If you’re buying a used car, you’ll need the following:
- Application for Registration
- Pennsylvania Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return
- Driver’s license
- Evidence of insurance
If you relocated to Pennsylvania from another state, you would require the following:
- Apply for a Certificate of Title in Pennsylvania and surrender your out-of-state title
- Evidence of Pennsylvania auto insurance
- VIN tracking or verification
- Fees and taxes that may apply
- You’ll need an attorney if you’re leasing a car
You must obtain a Pennsylvania driver’s license within 60 days of establishing residency and complete title and registration within 20 days.
You must also complete a safety inspection within ten days of registering your vehicle, and an emissions inspection may be required.
What is The Cost of Registering a Car in Pennsylvania?
The state of Pennsylvania charges $39 per year for passenger vehicle registration. Using Form MV-70S, you may be able to renew your Pennsylvania car registration for one or two years.
When renewing your PA car registration, you can do so online, through any of PennDOT’s Online Messenger services, or by mail. Meanwhile, if you want to renew your license online, you must provide the following:
- Vehicle registration number (first eight digits)
- The vehicle’s license plate number
- Insurance information
- Disclosure of the odometer
- Number of driver’s license
The cost of renewing a PA car registration depends on how long the vehicle has been registered; a $5 fee per year.
A passenger vehicle, for example, will cost $39 for a year and $78 for a two-year registration.
Cars with a seasonal registration or a circus carnival plate and those registered under the International Registration Plan are not eligible for the two-year registration.
How Long Does it Take to Register Your Car in Pennsylvania?
If you renewed your registration online, you could print it in PA. If you renew it by mail, you will receive it within ten days.
Is Car Insurance Required to Register Your Vehicle?
In Pennsylvania, proof of insurance is required for car registration. Similarly, driving in the state necessitates the purchase of state-mandated minimum liability insurance.
- Individual bodily injury liability insurance of $15,000 is required.
- Per accident, $300,000 in bodily injury compensation insurance.
- In the event of property loss and first-aid benefits, the liability is $5000.
- Benefits for underinsured and uninsured motorists are $15,000 per person and $300,000 per accident.