Moving to Pennsylvania: Transfer Your Out-of-State Car Title

How long do I have to register my car after moving to Pennsylvania?

PennDOT's new-resident page says to apply for a Pennsylvania title and registration within 20 days of establishing residency. The driver's license has a separate, longer deadline of 60 days, but see the ID warning below.

Form MV-1 (the title application) cannot be filled out online. An authorized agent completes it: most notaries, dealers and messenger services can. Some online-connected agents finish everything on the spot. Every owner on the title must be present to sign, and the signature is notarized. United Business Center is one of these authorized PennDOT agents: we complete your MV-1, notarize the signatures and handle the title transfer and registration.

Sequencing trap: PennDOT needs a Pennsylvania photo ID to title and register your car, but gives you 60 days for the license versus 20 days for the car. Start the ID early. If you are new to the country, read register a car in Pennsylvania with a foreign ID.

Do I need Pennsylvania insurance before I register?

Yes. PennDOT asks for proof of PA insurance for every vehicle you register. Accepted proof includes an insurance ID card, a declarations page, a valid binder, or an application to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan. The document must show both the effective and expiration dates.

The minimum liability coverage is $15,000 for one person hurt, $30,000 for more than one person, and $5,000 for property damage. See our guide to Pennsylvania minimum car insurance. If you keep your old insurer, ask them to confirm in writing that the policy is a Pennsylvania policy for your new address before you go.

How does the VIN check work for a car from another state?

PennDOT must match the VIN on your out-of-state title with the VIN plate on the car. A pencil tracing of the VIN plate is required for every vehicle previously titled in another state (and for all trucks and motor homes).

• Tracing: place paper over the VIN plate and rub a pencil across it. The agent attaches it to the form.
• If a tracing is not possible: a certified inspection mechanic or a notary employed by a dealership can verify the VIN and sign. A signed and dated photo of the plate is also accepted.
• If the car is still outside Pennsylvania: a police officer, a dealership mechanic or a military official can verify it.

What if I still owe money on the car, or it is leased?

When there is a loan, the lender usually holds the title. PennDOT will only issue a Pennsylvania title if the out-of-state title is submitted with Form MV-1, so before you go, ask your lender in writing how it will release the title. This is your job, not the agent's. There are three possible answers:

1. The lender releases the title to you. The agent can issue a temporary plate and the lender is listed on the new Pennsylvania title (a lien fee applies).
2. The lender releases it only to PennDOT. You call PennDOT at 717-412-5300 to request a letter. The agent cannot finish MV-1 until PennDOT has the title.
3. The lender refuses both. No temporary plate can be issued, and your out-of-state plate must stay valid to drive on Pennsylvania roads.

Some lenders require you to refinance with a lender in Pennsylvania and pay off the old one. For a leased car, the leasing company must complete Form MV-1L and may need to provide a power of attorney. Call the leasing company early.

What happens to my old license plates?

Pennsylvania issues you Pennsylvania plates. A temporary registration plate is issued only when your out-of-state title is submitted with the application (see temporary tags in Pennsylvania).

What to do with the old plates is decided by the state that issued them. Some states want them returned or cancelled, and your old registration or insurance may need to be ended. Ask your previous state's motor vehicle agency before you throw them away.

Do I need an inspection or emissions test after I register?

PennDOT says a newly registered vehicle must pass a safety inspection within 10 days. It is done at an official inspection station, usually a repair shop. The fee does not include repairs.

Emissions testing depends on the county. Philadelphia County is part of Pennsylvania's emissions program, so most gasoline cars registered here need it. Details are in our guide to inspection and emissions in Philadelphia.

Will I pay sales tax on a car I already own, and what does it cost?

If you have a valid out-of-state title and owned the car for six months or more before moving, you pay no Pennsylvania sales tax. If you owned it less than six months, you must prove you paid sales tax in the other state or pay Pennsylvania's. Any tax already paid can be credited. The standard rates are 6%, 7% in Allegheny County and 8% for Philadelphia residents.

Fees change. Always check the current PennDOT fee schedule. PennDOT's page says checks or money orders go to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and that cash is not accepted for the state fees; ask your agent how payment works.

What about my driver's license?

The license is a separate PennDOT step. New residents with an out-of-state license have 60 days to get a Pennsylvania license, in person at a Driver License Center. You surrender the old license, pass a vision screening, and bring proof of identity, proof of residency and your Social Security card. We do not handle driver's licenses, so use PennDOT's Moving to Pennsylvania page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to transfer my out-of-state title to Pennsylvania?

Yes, if you now live here. PennDOT says new residents must apply for a Pennsylvania title and registration within 20 days of establishing residency.

What happens if I miss the 20-day deadline?

You still need to title and register the car in Pennsylvania, so start now. Send us your documents on WhatsApp and we will tell you exactly what is missing.

Can I do the title transfer online?

Form MV-1 is not available online. It must be completed by an authorized agent such as a notary, dealer or messenger service, and some agents can process it online on the spot.

My car has a loan. Can I still register it here?

Often yes, but first ask the lender whether it will release the title to you or to PennDOT, or whether it requires you to refinance in Pennsylvania. If the lender refuses to release it, no temporary plate can be issued.

Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to Pennsylvania?

Not if you owned it six months or more before moving and have a valid out-of-state title. Under six months, you must prove you paid tax elsewhere or pay Pennsylvania's.

Do I need a Pennsylvania driver's license before registering the car?

You need a valid Pennsylvania photo ID to title and register a vehicle. That can be a driver's license or a photo ID card.