Frequently Asked Questions.

The questions and answers are from the Department of Transportation’s Web Site by PennDOT.

Legal transfer of vehicle ownership occurs when both the seller and purchaser, sign the Pennsylvania title in front of a notary public. You will need to disclose purchase price information and mileage (excluding trailers) (Form MV-4ST) at the time of transfer. The purchaser is required to submit the title transfer documentation to PennDOT within 20 days of the notarization.

If the Police do not investigate an accident and someone has died or been injured, or if a vehicle must be towed, send a Driver’s Accident Report (Form AA-600) within 5 days to:
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering
P. O. Box 2047
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2047

Individuals who possess a valid foreign driver’s license from their country are authorized to drive in Pennsylvania for up to one year from their date of entry into the United States, or upon expiration of their foreign license, whichever comes first. International driving permits are strongly recommended, but not required.

The Department of Transportation maintains a driving record for every licensed driver in Pennsylvania. Points are added to a driving record when a driver is found guilty of certain driving (moving) violations. The purpose of the point system is to help improve driving habits and to ensure safe driving. The Department begins to take corrective actions when a driving record reaches 6 or more points. ‘The Pennsylvania Point System’ brochure ( Pub 472) is now available for downloading on this website.

To renew online you will need your registration plate number, title number, insurance information, odometer reading, a valid credit card, and a printer.

Every insurance company licensed to conduct business in Pennsylvania has been issued a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) number. This number appears on most, but not all, insurance cards. NAIC numbers can be found on the Pennsylvania Insurance Department’s Website. Select the letter that your automobile insurance company starts with to locate your Insurance Company’s NAIC, or simply contact your insurance agent. Please note that you do not need your NAIC code to renew your vehicle registration online.

Yes. You are asked during the renewal process if you wish to donate $1.00.

Vehicle ownership documents issued by vehicle manufacturers and titling jurisdictions that provide specific vehicle information and used as the legal document to transfer ownership of the vehicle are known as “proof of ownership” documents. The following are the acceptable proof of ownership documents:

  • Manufacturer Certificate/Statement of Origin (MCO or MSO)
  • Pennsylvania Certificate of Title
  • Out of State Certificate of Title
  • Certificate of Salvage
  • Court Order (PDF)

of the vehicle are known as “proof of ownership” documents. The following are the acceptable proof of ownership documents:

Manufacturer Certificate/Statement of Origin (MCO or MSO)
Pennsylvania Certificate of Title
Out of State Certificate of Title
Certificate of Salvage
Court Order (PDF)

Pennsylvania Certificate of Titles (PDF) are used in conjunction with Form MV-4ST, “Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration.” This form is only available from authorized agents of PennDOT.

In addition to the Pennsylvania title you will need to provide several items to the agent to complete your title application. More information can be found in the Buying or Selling Your Car in Pennsylvania (PDF) fact sheet.

You will need to provide several items to the agent to complete your application. Please take a copy of your current Pennsylvania Drivers License or Pennsylvania Photo Identification (PDF). If you are a business or non-profit organization buying a car, please make sure you bring the acceptable identification requirements (PDF) with you as well.

A copy of your current insurance identification card (PDF) is required if registration is to be issued.

If the vehicle is being given as a gift, the Form MV-13ST (PDF), “Affidavit of Gift” must be attached to the title application. This form must be completed by all transferees and transferors and attached to Form MV-1 or MV-4ST for any transfer for which a gift exemption (Exemption 13) for purposes of Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax is claimed.

Out of State titles are used in conjunction with Form MV-1, “Application for Certificate of Title.” This form is only available from authorized agents of PennDOT.

Many times out-of-state lienholders refuse to release the title in their possession to another state unless the lien has been satisfied. Applicants are required to contact their lienholders prior to completing their MV-1 application to determine whether or not the lienholder will release the out of state title to the vehicle owner. More information can be found on our How to Title and Register Your Out of State Vehicle fact sheet (PDF).

When buying a car (PDF) which has been titled in another state, the purchaser should check the back of the title carefully. There should be a place for the seller’s signature and the car’s present odometer reading. The seller’s signature may be required to be notarized on some out-of-state titles. It is a good idea to consult a dealer, tag service, notary or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles about out-of-state title transfers.

You will need to provide several items to the agent to complete your application. Please take a copy of your current Pennsylvania Drivers License or Pennsylvania Photo Identification Card (PDF). If you are a business or non-profit organization buying a car, please make sure you bring the acceptable identification requirements (PDF) with you as well.

A copy of your current insurance identification (PDF) card is required if registration is to be issued.

VIN verification is required for out of state vehicles.

If the vehicle is being given as a gift, the Form MV-13ST (PDF), “Affidavit of Gift” must be attached to the title application. This form must be completed by all transferees and transferors and attached to Form MV-1 or MV-4ST for any transfer for which a gift exemption (Exemption 13) for purposes of Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax is claimed.

Check out the Fact Sheet Here

If you are titling and registering a 2008 or newer vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 8,500 pounds or less, and it has less than 7,500 miles on the odometer, your vehicle must be certified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). For more information about this program, visit the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicles Program page.

When completing Section A of Form MV-1, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) must be verified to ensure that the number listed on the out-of-state title matches the number on the vehicle’s VIN plate. A VIN plate tracing must be attached to the reverse side of the white copy of all MV-1 applications for PA certificates of title for the following vehicles:

  1. All trucks or truck tractors – VIN plate tracings of trucks should contain the:
    • Complete Vehicle Identification Number
    • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
    • Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
  2. All motor homes
  3. All vehicles previously titled in another state

A tracing is obtained by placing tracing paper against the VIN plate and applying pressure with a lead pencil, stroking left to right across the entire surface of the VIN plate to produce on the paper an image of all information which has been embossed on the plate. If you are unable to locate your vehicle’s VIN plate or you are unable to secure a legible tracing of the plate, contact a certified inspection mechanic or notary public at a motor vehicle dealership. These individuals are authorized to inspect and verify the VIN when a tracing of the plate is not possible. The certified inspection mechanic or notary public must list their name, dealer identification number (DIN) or mechanic number and signature in Section A. (NOTE: A photograph of a vehicle’s VIN plate is acceptable if the photo is signed and dated by a certified inspection mechanic or a notary public at a dealership.) The certified inspection mechanic or notary public’s signature indicates that he/she visually inspected the VIN on the vehicle and it matches the VIN on the out-of-state title. If the vehicle is located outside of Pennsylvania, the VIN must be verified by a police officer, a mechanic employed by a motor vehicle dealership or an armed forces installation provost marshal or motor officer.

If you hold a valid title issued in another state and have owned the vehicle 6 months or more before moving to Pennsylvania, you will not be required to pay any sales tax when you register your vehicle in Pennsylvania. Applicants exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax will list the appropriate Sales Tax Exemption reason code in Section I, block 1A and/or 1B on Form MV-1.

If you hold a valid title issued in another state and, have owned the vehicle less than 6 months before moving to Pennsylvania, you will need to provide proof of sales tax paid to the previous titling jurisdiction, or remit PA sales tax. Applicants entitled to a tax credit will list the appropriate tax credit amount in “Less Tax Credit” block on Form MV-1.

A vehicle newly registered in Pennsylvania must have a safety inspection within ten (10) days of the registration date. Inspections are performed at official inspection stations (usually a repair garage or a service station with a repair shop). Equipment checks include: lights, brakes, horn, tires, safety belts, exhaust system, mirrors, tag mounting, suspension, turn signals, steering, glazing, wipers, and other major parts of your vehicle.

Inspection fees are posted at official inspection stations. These fees do not include repairs to correct vehicle defects.

Regulations regarding window tinting in vehicles vary from state to state. If you have altered the tinting from the original manufacturer’s specifications on any of your vehicle’s windows for any reason, please refer to PennDOT’s Vehicle Window Tint Fact Sheet (PDF) for the level of window tint acceptable under current regulations.

Pennsylvania is one of many states required by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency to have a vehicle emissions inspection & maintenance (I/M) program. The I/M program is a key part of the commonwealth’s strategy to improve its air quality.

Visit the Drive Clean PA website or call the customer hotline at 1-800-265-0921 to find out if the county your vehicle is registered in is required to participate in the emissions inspection program.

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