Restore Your Vehicle Registration

There are several reasons why a vehicle registration may be suspended. See below for the most common reasons, and what can be done to restore your vehicle registration.

Your Registration is Suspended Due to a Lapse in Insurance

You need to provide acceptable proof of insurance within 30 days of the insurance cancellation date. If you had a lapse of insurance for 30 days or less and the vehicle was not driven during the 30 days or less lapse, you must also provide Form MV-221 (PDF), "Statement of Non-operation of Vehicle." If unable to provide the insurance and statement, you must return your registration plate and registration card to serve a 3-month suspension.

In lieu of serving a registration suspension, you have the option to pay a civil penalty. The optional civil penalty fee is $500. Additionally, you are required to pay a restoration fee. You may opt to pay the civil penalty in lieu of suspension no more than once in a 12-month period. Payment of the civil penalty, along with your restoration fee and proof of current insurance, will allow you to maintain registration on your vehicle without the requirement to serve a three-month registration suspension.

To use this option, visit PennDOT's Online Services by using the link for Restorations, followed by Pay Your Civil Penalty Fee in Lieu of FR Suspension, and complete the required steps. If you prefer, you may mail your certified check or money order payable to the PA Department of Transportation with current proof of insurance and completed Form MV-222 (PDF), "Application for Payment of Civil Penalty in Lieu of Registration Suspension." Please refer to Form MV-70S, “The Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees,” for the current fees.

Your Registration is Suspended Due to a Citation or Accident

You need to obtain a letter from your insurance company's home office and have it signed by an underwriting manager/supervisor. The letter must indicate the name of insurer, policy number, vehicle identification number, the effective and expiration dates of your policy, along with a statement that your insurance was in effect at the time of the accident or violation. If unable to provide this letter, you must return your registration plate and registration card to serve a three-month suspension.

Your Registration is Suspended Due to Unpaid Tolls to the PA Turnpike Commission

If you have incurred four (4) or more unpaid toll violations or invoices, or have accumulated $250 or more in unpaid tolls and fees, or defaulted in a payment plan for tolls and fees from the PA Turnpike Commission (PTC), your vehicle registration may be suspended.

The suspension will remain in effect until compliance is confirmed by PTC and all other applicable restoration requirements are satisfied. If you fail to pay the tolls and fees by the suspension effective date, an indefinite suspension will go into effect and an administrative hold will be placed on your vehicle registration. A restoration fee will be required before registration is restored.

All payments and tolls must be made to the PTC at 300 East Park Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17111.

All questions regarding these tolls must be directed to the PTC by calling
(877) 736-6727, option 1.

PA Turnpike customers can learn more about toll registration enforcement online on the PA Turnpike website.

Your Registration is Suspended Due to Unpaid Parking tickets to the Philadelphia Parking Authority

If you are issued six (6) or more tickets or citations from the Philadelphia Parking Authority and have failed to pay or have defaulted in payment of the tickets or citations, your registration will be indefinitely suspended upon notification from the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA).

The suspension will remain in effect until compliance is confirmed by PPA and all other applicable restoration requirements are satisfied. If you fail to pay the issued parking tickets by the suspension effective date, an indefinite suspension will go into effect and an administrative hold will be placed on your vehicle registration.

All payments of tickets MUST be made to the Philadelphia Parking Authority ONLY. All questions regarding these tickets or citations must be directed to PPA. Customers may visit the PPA website or call (888) 591-3636 for specific information.

You Received a Letter Regarding Insurance on a Vehicle You Have Traded In, or No Longer Own

You need to provide a copy of the front and back of the certificate of title or bill of sale identifying the vehicle and the new owner.

You Received a Letter Regarding Insurance on a Vehicle That Has Been Junked

You need to provide a copy of the salvage certificate or letter of salvage from the insurance company indicating the new owner.

You Received a Letter Regarding Insurance on a Vehicle That Has Been Repossessed

You need to provide a copy of your letter of repossession from the dealership or financial institution.