How To Register A Car in Pennsylvania: Everything You Need To Know
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Whether you live in Hawaii or Florida, it’s critical to register your vehicle. Pennsylvania is no different from the other states across the nation. If you have a car and live there, you must ensure your vehicle is legally registered. You might wonder how to register a car in PA. What is necessary to make your vehicle legal on the road?
If you’re interested in learning more about how to register a car in PA, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the necessary items to register a vehicle, how to register as a new resident, and other information that may come in handy. The more you know, the easier the registration process will be.
Necessary Documents to Register a Car
If you want to understand how to register a car in PA, it’s critical to begin with the documents required to complete the process. It makes no sense to trek down to the BMV office only to be turned around for forgetting crucial proof of ownership documents.
According to helloskip.com, here are the items you need to register a vehicle:
- Application for registration
- Driver’s license
- Pennsylvania vehicle insurance/proof of ownership
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
- Existing vehicle title
- VIN
- Safety inspection proof
- Proof of emissions tests, existing plates, and lienholder information if applicable
These will provide workers with enough information to put your vehicle in the system.
If you’re uncertain of all the items you need, contact your local BMV to determine what they want from you. It helps considerably to have everything gathered together before you enter the building.
If you are a new resident in Pennsylvania, the process is a little different. Let’s talk about how to register a car in PA if you’re new to the state.
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New Resident Registration
If you are brand-new to Pennsylvania, there are other considerations to keep in mind. Once you are a permanent resident, it’s vital to register your car as soon as possible. There are a few different items you need for this process.
According to dmv.pa.gov, here are the items you need to register a vehicle as a new resident in Pennsylvania:
- A title for the vehicle you want to register in the state
- Proof of vehicle insurance in Pennsylvania
- A vehicle identification number tracing
- Lien, title, registration fees, and taxes if applicable to your vehicle
- Form MV-1L from a leasing company if you are getting a title and registering a vehicle under a lease
These will permit you to register your vehicle if you are new to Pennsylvania.
If you move to Pennsylvania, you have twenty days from your official resident status to register your vehicle. You also have sixty days to access a Pennsylvania driver’s license. If you’re confused, contact the BMV for further information on what you need to bring to the registration process.
How to Register
We’ve discussed the necessary documents and new resident registration. Now, let’s discuss the traditional registration process.
According to helloskip.com, here’s the registration process for your vehicle in Pennsylvania:
- Visit the local BMV by making an appointment online
- Provide documents and payment
- Take your temporary registration and title
- Wait for the official documentation in the mail
Your car is legal after these steps.
If you have the documents ahead of time, it shouldn’t take long to complete the process at the BMV. Registration requires organization and patience.
Necessary Vehicle Inspections
Some states allow drivers to register their vehicles without any inspections. If you live in Pennsylvania, it’s crucial to note that this state does not permit registration with this level of ease. According to dmv.pa.gov, newly registered vehicles must get a safety inspection within ten days of their official registration date.
Official inspection stations are the only locations where you can get an inspection that will count. Ensure your inspection location is approved by the state to avoid further troubles down the road.
Fees
Although some states don’t include fees for their registration process, Pennsylvania does. It’s helpful to understand what you might owe to have money prepared during the registration process. It will bring peace of mind and help everything go by faster.
According to helloskip.com, here are the fees you should anticipate when registering a vehicle in Pennsylvania:
- Registration fee of $37
- Title fee of $53
- 6% sales tax
- Potential BMV transaction fee, if applicable
Keep at least $200 to the side to avoid surprises when registering your vehicle in Pennsylvania.
If you’re nervous about potential fees and hidden costs, it’s best to contact your local BMV to determine what they expect financially.
Items That Could Suspend a Vehicle Registration
Many assume that once you register your vehicle in Pennsylvania, it stays that way forever. However, there are instances where a vehicle registration may experience suspension.
According to dmv.pa.gov, here are a few reasons your registration is under suspension:
- It hasn’t had insurance for more than thirty days
- You have a citation or an accident on your record
- There are issues with the insurance
- Your car is junked or repossessed
These will bring suspension to your registration.
The best course of action is to contact your local BMV or DMV. They will determine the next best steps to get your registration back, whether paying a fine or reissuing insurance.
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Final Thoughts
If you are a car owner in Pennsylvania, it’s critical to understand the registration process. With proper documents and the proper fees, the process won’t take long. Once you know how to register a car in PA, it won’t take long to hit the road in a legally registered vehicle.
We hope this information was helpful! The more you know about registering a car in Pennsylvania, the easier it will be to get your vehicle into the system. Once you complete it for the first time, it will be easy to register another vehicle in the future.
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