How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Pennsylvania From Out of State
Registering a vehicle from another state in Pennsylvania requires compliance with statutory requirements established under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1301, administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Individuals establishing residency in Pennsylvania are responsible for registering their vehicles within the Commonwealth and maintaining valid out-of-state credentials within the 20-day transition period.
Base Registration and Title Fees
The aggregate cost of transferring out-of-state vehicle registration includes registration charges, certificate of title fees, lien recording fees where applicable, and county-specific local use fees. PennDOT establishes standardized fee structures administered through authorized agents and PennDOT service centers throughout the Commonwealth's 67 counties.
Standard Registration Fees
Registration fee calculations depend upon vehicle classification, gross weight designation, and registration duration.
Registration Fees by Vehicle Classification:
| Vehicle Classification | One-Year Registration | Two-Year Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger vehicles | $48.00 | $96.00 |
| Motorcycles | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Motor-driven cycles | $11.00 | $22.00 |
| Motorized pedalcycles | $11.00 | $22.00 |
| Ambulances and hearses | $104.00 | $208.00 |
| Taxicabs (8 passengers or fewer, excluding operator) | $104.00 | $208.00 |
| School buses and school vehicles | $45.00 | $90.00 |
| Implements of husbandry | $35.00 | $70.00 |
| Special mobile equipment | $70.00 | $140.00 |
Motor Home Registration Fees by Weight Class:
| Registered Gross Weight | One-Year Registration | Two-Year Registration |
|---|---|---|
| 8,000 pounds or less | $88.00 | $176.00 |
| 8,001 to 11,000 pounds | $123.00 | $246.00 |
| 11,001 pounds or greater | $158.00 | $316.00 |
Trailer Registration Fees:
| Weight Classification | One-Year Fee | Five-Year Fee | Permanent Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,000 pounds or less | $7.00 | $35.00 | N/A |
| 3,001 to 10,000 pounds | $15.00 | $75.00 | N/A |
| 10,001 pounds or greater | $46.00 | N/A | $223.00 |
Recreational Trailer and Recreational Cargo Trailer Fees:
| Weight Classification | One-Year Fee | Five-Year Fee | Permanent Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 pounds or less | $15.00 | $75.00 | N/A |
| 8,001 to 13,000 pounds | $44.00 | $220.00 | N/A |
| 13,001 pounds or greater | $115.00 | N/A | $537.00 |
Certificate of Title Fees
Pennsylvania requires a certificate of title issuance for all motor vehicles. Title fees apply uniformly across transaction categories, with additional charges assessed for lien recording and related services.
Title Transaction Fees:
| Transaction Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Original certificate of title | $72.00 |
| Duplicate certificate of title | $72.00 |
| Recording a lien (title to be issued) | $108.00 |
| Renew a lien (title to be issued) | $108.00 |
| Satisfy a lien (title to be issued) | $72.00 |
| Certified copies of records (includes $15.00 record fee) | $47.00 |
County Fee for Local Use
Pennsylvania counties may implement an annual local use fee collected at initial registration and subsequent renewals. The fee applies to non-exempt vehicles registered to addresses within participating county boundaries. Fees accumulate based on registration duration—a two-year registration incurs $10.00 in local use fees, while a five-year registration totals $25.00.
Participating counties implementing the county fee for local use include Allegheny, Beaver, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Delaware, Erie, Greene, Lackawanna, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Pike, Schuylkill, Union, Wayne, Westmoreland, and York.
County Fee for Local Use:
| Fee Type | Annual Amount |
|---|---|
| County fee for local use (per year of registration) | $5.00 |
New Resident Fee and Use Tax
Pennsylvania imposes sales and use tax obligations on motor vehicle transactions. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue administers tax collection for vehicle registration transfers.
State Sales and Use Tax
Pennsylvania levies a 6% state sales tax on motor vehicle purchases. Use tax obligations arise when sales tax was not collected at the time of acquisition. The use tax rate mirrors the sales tax rate, ensuring equivalent tax treatment regardless of transaction location.
State Tax Rates for Motor Vehicles:
| Tax Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Sales tax (automotive vehicles) | 6.0% |
| Consumers use tax (automotive vehicles) | 6.0% |
Local Sales and Use Tax
Local tax rates supplement state taxation in designated jurisdictions.
Local Tax Rates by Jurisdiction:
| Jurisdiction | Local Tax Rate | Total Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Allegheny County | 1.0% | 7.0% |
| Philadelphia | 2.0% | 8.0% |
| All other Pennsylvania jurisdictions | 0.0% | 6.0% |
Vehicle Inspection Requirements and Fees
Pennsylvania mandates annual safety inspections for most motor vehicles operated on Commonwealth highways. The inspection program ensures vehicles maintain compliance with equipment and performance standards established by regulation.
Annual Safety Inspection Fees
Inspection stations certified by PennDOT perform safety inspections and issue inspection stickers upon successful completion.
Inspection Sticker Fees:
| Inspection Type | Sticker Fee |
|---|---|
| Annual inspection sticker | $12.00 |
| Semi-annual inspection sticker | $10.00 |
Individual inspection facilities establish examination charges for conducting safety and emissions inspections. Sticker fees represent the mandatory state-imposed component, while total inspection costs vary by service provider.
Government Agencies and Contact Information
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Riverfront Office Center, 1101 South Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
Phone: (717) 412-5300
Official Website: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation administers all motor vehicle titling, registration, and licensing programs throughout the Commonwealth. PennDOT maintains direct service operations through the Riverfront Office Center while delegating routine transactions to authorized agents operating in communities statewide.
PennDOT Authorized Agent Locations
PennDOT designates authorized agents throughout Pennsylvania to conduct vehicle registration and titling transactions on behalf of the department. These privately operated facilities provide convenient access to motor vehicle services in major population centers and rural communities.
PA Tags and Notary Public
738 Red Lion Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115
Phone: (215) 677-9444
Official Website: PA Tags and Notary Public
PennDOT Photo and Exam Center - Pittsburgh
708 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 338-4300
Official Website: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
The Yurconic Agency
5 American Parkway, Allentown, PA 18101
Phone: (610) 434-2500
Official Website: The Yurconic Agency
Commonwealth Auto Tags
4720 Perkiomen Avenue, Reading, PA 19606
Phone: (610) 779-2111
Official Website: Commonwealth Auto Tags
Brimmer's Licensing Service - Harrisburg Pike
1354 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601
Phone: (717) 394-9991
Official Website: Brimmer's Licensing Service
Brimmer's Licensing Service - Queen Street, York
2110 South Queen Street, South York Value Center, York, PA 17403
Phone: (717) 699-1060
Official Website: Brimmer's Licensing Service
Pennsylvania Notary and Tax Service
1156 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16508
Phone: (814) 456-9362
Official Website: Pennsylvania Notary and Tax Service
Northeast Title and Tag - Scranton
1726 N Keyser Ave., Scranton, PA 18508
Phone: (570) 895-1000
Official Website: Northeast Title and Tag
Leonard's Auto Tag Service - Wyoming
295 Susquehana Ave, Wyoming, PA 18644
Phone: (570) 693-0122
Official Website: Leonard's Auto Tag Service
John's Auto Tags - Philadelphia
2715 S Front Street, #4A, Philadelphia, PA 19148
Phone: (215) 701-3055
Official Website: John's Auto Tags
