Moving to Pennsylvania: car title and registration costs
Moving to Pennsylvania with a car you own: title and registration come to about $120.00–$125.00 for a $20,000 car you have owned over a year (estimate). Register within 20 days of moving (PennDOT).
Tax on the car itself: $0.00 plus anything you fill in.
Estimate of government charges. The DMV or county office calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: moving to Pennsylvania · Different situation?
Every line for a new resident
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales tax for new residents (only if owned under 6 months) | State & local tax | you fill in | PennDOT |
| Certificate of title | Title | $72.00 | PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
| Passenger vehicle registration (1 year, standard plate included) | Registration & plates | $48.00 | PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles |
| County Fee for Local Use (participating counties only) | Registration & plates | $0.00–$5.00 | PennDOT |
Deadlines
- New residents: title and register within: 20 days (PennDOT)
- Temporary registration plate (private purchase) valid for: 90 days (PennDOT)
Sales tax when you move
- Sales tax for new residents (only if owned under 6 months): Owned and titled in your name 6+ months: no PA sales tax and no proof needed. Less than 6 months: show proof of tax paid or pay PA tax.
Checklist before the DMV visit
- Your out-of-state title (or the lender's details if there is a loan) and current registration
- Proof of insurance that meets the state's requirements
- Your new driver license or ID, and proof of your new address
- Odometer reading; some states also need a VIN or safety/emissions inspection
- Proof of sales tax you paid when you bought the car, if it was recent (several states credit it or exempt you)
After that: yearly renewal
See registration and title fees in Pennsylvania for the yearly cost.
Official tools: PennDOT fee schedule (Form MV-70S) · REV-227 sales tax credit chart (out-of-state tax credit)
Sources
- PennDOT: Fact sheet: How to Title and Register Your Out-of-State Vehicle in Pennsylvania (Feb 2025)
- PennDOT Bureau of Motor Vehicles: MV-70S Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees (4-26)
- PennDOT: Fact sheet: Fee for Local Use - Participating Counties (Aug 2026)
- PennDOT: Motor Vehicle Information for New Residents
- PennDOT: Fact sheet: Buying or Selling Your Vehicle in Pennsylvania (Feb 2025)
FAQ
How long do I have to register my car after moving to Pennsylvania?
New residents: title and register within: 20 days, per PennDOT.
Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to Pennsylvania?
Owned and titled in your name 6+ months: no PA sales tax and no proof needed. Less than 6 months: show proof of tax paid or pay PA tax.
How much does it cost to register an out-of-state car in Pennsylvania?
About $120.00–$125.00 for a $20,000 car owned over a year (estimate of title and registration).