Titling and Registration Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if my vehicle is eligible to renew online?
2. Is there a minimum or maximum age requirement for registering a motor vehicle?
3. How long will it take to receive my registration card?
4. What if I don’t receive my Vehicle Registration card in ten (10) days?
5. Can I renew my vehicle registration if I do not currently have insurance on my vehicle?
6. How do I renew my Vehicle Registration?
7. Where do I get my motor vehicle forms?
8. What if I did not receive my application to renew my vehicle registration?
9. How do I get a duplicate Vehicle Registration?
10. How do I change my address on my Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration?
11. How much does it cost to renew my registration?
12. I received a renewal application for a vehicle I no longer have. What should I do?
13. I have just moved to Pennsylvania. How do I transfer/apply for Vehicle Registration? How soon must I apply?
14. What documents do I need to transfer ownership to a Pennsylvania vehicle?
15. How do I get a duplicate title?
16. What is an apportioned registration?
17. How can I change my currently titled trailer or park model mobile home to a recreational trailer?
18. How do I obtain a refund for a unused registration?

1. How do I know if my vehicle is eligible to renew online?
Most passenger vehicles that are currently insured (trailers do not require insurance) and trucks weighing 54,999 pounds or less are eligible to renew with the following exceptions:

Dealer registrations
Fleet vehicles
Suspended registrations
Apportioned vehicles
Farm Vehicles (Biennial certificates)
Seasonal registration
Disabled Veteran code
Taxi registrations
Limo registrations
Bus registrations

Please note that Internet renewal processing will also NOT be permitted if your current name/address is not presently on file with PennDOT or more than 6 months remain on your current registration period.

2. Is there a minimum or maximum age requirement for registering a motor vehicle?
Pennsylvania law does not dictate a minimum or maximum age for owning/registering a vehicle. However, you should check with your insurance company to see if they have any restrictions regarding an owner’s age.

3. How long will it take to receive my registration card?
Customers who renew their registration online will print their own registration credential. PennDOT no longer mails a registration card for registrations renewed online. If the registration was renewed through mail, you will receive your permanent registration card within ten (10) days.

4. What if I don’t receive my vehicle registration card?
If you do not receive your registration card within days of date of issuance you will need to complete Form MV-50, "Application for Replacement of Never Received Product." You can also print a duplicate registration card online.

5. Can I renew my vehicle registration if I do not currently have insurance on my vehicle?
No. Only trailers are exempt from maintaining insurance.

6. How do I renew my Vehicle Registration?
You can renew your vehicle registration online, by mail, at a messenger service office or any Driver and Vehicle Service Center location.

7. Where do I get my motor vehicle forms?
Motor vehicle forms are available online for downloading and at any messenger service office or any Driver and Vehicle Service Center location .

8. What if I did not receive my application to renew my vehicle registration?
If you never received an application to renew your registration in the mail or you lost your renewal application, you may use Form MV-140, “Request for Registration/Renewals”. Applications are also available at any messenger service office or any Driver and Vehicle Service Center location .
If you choose, a notary, messenger service or motor club, they can also help you get your renewal processed, but they may charge you a fee to do so.

9. How do I get a duplicate Vehicle Registration?
To obtain a duplicate registration card, you will need to complete Form MV-44 , “Application for Duplicate Registration Card or Replacement of Lost, Stolen or Defaced Registration Plate.” Duplicate registration cards are also available for free through our Online Services.

10. How do I change my address on my Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration?
Pennsylvania requires that you report any new address to PennDOT within 15 days of moving.

For vehicle registrations, you may change your address using our Online Service, or you may fill out Form MV-63, “Change of Address for Driver’s License, Photo ID and Vehicle Registration” and drop it in the mail. We will send a new registration card for your vehicle.

11. How much does it cost to renew my registration?
Please visit our Payments and Fees page for additional information. Your vehicle may be eligible to be renewed for either a one-year or two-year registration period. Both registration periods and the required fees are provided on the registration renewal form or Form MV-70S, “Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees.”
NOTE: If the fee listed in the “2-yr. fee” block on your registration renewal form, is “N/A,” your vehicle type is not eligible to renew for a two-year period.

12. I received a renewal application for a vehicle I no longer have. What should I do?
If the registration plate listed on the invitation to renew was transferred to a new vehicle and was not renewed at the time you transferred your registration plate, you must complete Form MV-140 , “Request for Registration/Renewals” to renew your registration plate.
f the registration plate was not transferred and is no longer needed, please return the plate to the following address:

PennDOT
Return Tag Unit
P.O. Box 68597
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8597

13. I have just moved to Pennsylvania. How do I transfer/apply for Vehicle Registration? How soon must I apply?
Please visit our New Residents page where you can learn more about transferring/applying for a Pennsylvania vehicle registration.

14. What documents do I need to transfer ownership to a Pennsylvania vehicle?
You will need the Pennsylvania Certificate of title, Pennsylvania Driver's License or Pennsylvania Photo Identification, a copy of your current insurance identification card is required if registration is to be issued and Form MV-4ST “Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration.” Form MV-4ST is only available from authorized agents of PennDOT.

15. How do I get a duplicate title?
You must complete Form MV-38O, “Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title by Owner'. If you are the lien holder of the vehicle, you will need Form MV-38L, “Application for Certificate of Title by Lien holder.”

16. What is an apportioned registration?
Apportioned Registration is needed when a vehicle(s) travels or is intended for travel in two or more of the member jurisdictions and is used for the transportation of persons for hire or is designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property, and (1) is a power unit having a gross or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds, or (2) is a power unit having three or more axles regardless of weight, or (3) is used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

17. How can I change my currently titled trailer or park model mobile home to a recreational trailer?
If the trailer or park model mobile home is designed or adapted and used exclusively for recreational purposes and you wish to change the body type from a trailer (TRL) or a mobile home (MH) to a recreational trailer (RECT) you must complete and submit Form MV-41, “Application for Correction of Vehicle Record or Verification of Vehicle Identification Number,” and indicate body type change to “RECT” in the body type field along with certificate of title and required fees.

18. How do I obtain a refund for a unused registration?
To request a refund, complete Form MV-700, “Application for a Refund.”

NOTE: A refund request of unused registration must be made within 14 days of the expiration of the previous/old registration expiration date; regardless of when the registration was renewed.

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