Registration Application
Application for original or renewal vehicle registration must be made on a form provided by PennDOT.
The application must contain the full name and address of the owner or owners, the make, model, year and vehicle identification number of the vehicle, and any other documents that PennDOT may require.
The vehicle title and a self-certification of financial responsibility must also accompany the application.
The self-certification form of financial responsibility requires: (1) the complete name, address, and telephone number of the applicant; (2) the name of the insurance company which is insuring the vehicle; and (3) the policy number, effective date, and expiration date of the policy of insurance insuring the vehicle.
There is no period of grace for late registration.
Registration for Non-Residents
A non-resident owner of an out-of-state vehicle can operate a vehicle in Pennsylvania without registering the vehicle in Pennsylvania provided that the vehicle is registered in another state. This out-of-state vehicle cannot be used for transportation services of persons of hire, or regularly operated in carrying on any business in Pennsylvania.
A person given a citation for not registering his or her vehicle in Pennsylvania must prove that he or she is not a Pennsylvania resident. If he or she can prove that he or she is a non-resident within 5 days of being given the citation, the citation will be dismissed.
Military personnel on active duty in Pennsylvania may maintain out-of-state vehicle registration.
Registration Type
Vehicle registration expires on the last day of the month as designated on the registration card.
Application for renewal of registration will be mailed to registrant at least 60 days before the expiration.
The returned application must be accompanied by a self-certification of financial responsibility and the applicable fees.
After PennDOT receives the completed application and appropriate fees, PennDOT will issue a renewed registration card.
Upon receiving the registration card, the registrant must sign his or her name to the card.
The registration card must be kept with the vehicle at all times.
Seasonal Registration offers flexibility to vehicle owners by providing for seasonal operation of a motor vehicle in Pennsylvania. Vehicle owners or a lessee of a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, motor home, truck or farm vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 14,000 pounds may register for less than a full year and temporarily discontinue vehicle insurance without having to return the registration plate to PennDOT.
Emissions Inspection
PennDOT requires periodic emissions inspections for all motor vehicles except for the following:
- A vehicle that was never permanently registered in any jurisdiction that has less than 5,000 miles on it for which an annual or temporary registration plate was originally issued within the past 12 months; this vehicle will be exempt from an emissions inspection for 1 year from the date of registration.
- A vehicle never registered in any jurisdiction having less than 5,000 miles on it and having a registration plate transferred from another vehicle must pass an emissions inspection before the next registration but not within 9 months of the date of the purchase of the vehicle.
South Central: requires 1996 and newer models to have On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) and gas cap inspections and requires 1975-1995 models to have gas cap and visual inspections. Northern Region: requires 1975 and newer models to have gas cap and visual inspections. Pittsburgh Region: requires 1996 and newer models to have OBD and gas cap, and requires 1975-1995 models to have gas cap, tailpipe, and visual inspections. Philadelphia Region: requires 1996 and newer models to have OBD and gas cap inspections; and requires 1975-1995 models to have gas cap, tailpipe, and visual inspections. 42 County Non-I/M Region: requires all cars to have a visual inspection as part of the annual safety inspection.
Visit Drive Clean PA for more information on the state’s emissions inspection requirements.
OBD is utilized as part of the emissions inspection process.
Safety Inspection
Annual safety inspections are required for all passenger vehicles and light trucks, and upon registration from out-of-state.
Semiannual inspections are required for school buses, vehicles owned by or under contract to a school and used to transport students to and from school, vans transporting persons for hire or owned by a commercial enterprise for transporting employees, mass transit vehicles, and motor carrier vehicles; there is no set fee. All other vehicles, including passenger cars, light trucks, motorcycles, trailers over 3,000 lbs., emergency vehicles, and private non-commercial vehicles transporting students are inspected annually; there is no set fee. Proof of financial responsibility is required at the time of inspection.
Title and Registration Fees
AUTOMOBILE
Title Fee: $53.00
Registration Fee: $37.00
MOTORCYCLE
Title Fee: $53.00
Registration Fee: $19.00
DUPLICATES
Plate Fee: $11.00
Registration Fee: $2.00 at original registration, transfer, or renewal; $6.00 at any other time
Driver’s License Fee: $30.50 ($50.50 with Class M motorcycle endorsement)
Title Fee: $53.00
Special Plates: $25.00-$154.00