How Much Does It Cost To Register a Car in Pennsylvania in 2025
Pennsylvania vehicle registration costs vary based on vehicle type, weight, and location. The state charges base registration fees, plus additional processing and local fees that can increase total costs significantly.
Base Registration Fees
Pennsylvania bases registration fees on vehicle type and weight classification. PennDOT's official fee schedule outlines specific costs for each category.
Passenger Vehicles and Motorcycles
| Vehicle Type | One Year | Two Year |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicle | $48.00 | $96.00 |
| Motorcycle | $25.00 | $50.00 |
| Motor-Driven Cycle | $11.00 | $22.00 |
| Motorized Pedalcycle | $11.00 | $22.00 |
Motor Homes
| Registered Gross Weight | One Year | Two Year |
|---|---|---|
| 8,000 pounds or less | $88.00 | $176.00 |
| 8,001 to 11,000 pounds | $123.00 | $246.00 |
| 11,001 pounds or more | $158.00 | $316.00 |
Commercial and Special Vehicles
| Vehicle Type | One Year | Two Year |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi (8 passengers or less) | $104.00 | $208.00 |
| Ambulances and Hearses | $104.00 | $208.00 |
| School Bus/School Vehicle | $45.00 | $90.00 |
| Special Mobile Equipment | $70.00 | $140.00 |
| Implements of Husbandry | $35.00 | $70.00 |
Trailers and Semi-Trailers
| Registered Gross Weight | One Year | Five Year | Permanent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,000 pounds or less | $7.00 | $35.00 | - |
| 3,001 to 10,000 pounds | $15.00 | $75.00 | - |
| 10,001 pounds or more | $46.00 | - | $223.00 |
Recreational Trailers
| Registered Gross Weight | One Year | Five Year | Permanent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 pounds or less | $15.00 | $75.00 | - |
| 8,001 to 13,000 pounds | $44.00 | $220.00 | - |
| 13,001 pounds or more | $115.00 | - | $537.00 |
Commercial Trucks
Pennsylvania truck registration fees increase substantially with weight. Class 1 trucks (5,000 pounds or less) cost $82.00 annually, while the heaviest Class 25 trucks (79,001-80,000 pounds) cost $2,935.00 per year. Complete truck fee schedules provide detailed weight-based pricing.
Local County Fees
Pennsylvania counties may implement a $5 annual "Fee for Local Use" collected at registration and renewal. This fee multiplies by registration years - $10 for two-year registrations, $25 for five-year registrations.
Counties Charging $5 Annual Fee
The following 25 counties participate in the Fee for Local Use program:
- Cumberland (April 2015)
- Blair (May 2015)
- Allegheny (January 2016)
- Bucks (April 2016)
- Westmoreland (April 2016)
- Philadelphia (April 2016)
- Dauphin (May 2016)
- Chester (June 2016)
- Greene (June 2016)
- Cambria (July 2016)
- York (October 2016)
- Montgomery (January 2017)
- Berks (March 2017)
- Beaver (April 2017)
- Centre (October 2017)
- Lycoming (October 2017)
- Mifflin (December 2017)
- Schuylkill (January 2018)
- Pike (January 2018)
- Union (March 2018)
- Erie (April 2018)
- Butler (November 2018)
- Delaware (June 2020)
- Lackawanna (April 2022)
- Wayne (November 2025)
The remaining 42 Pennsylvania counties do not charge local registration fees.
Mandatory Processing Fees
Standard Processing Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | $72.00 |
| Transfer of Registration Plate | $11.00 |
| Recording a Lien (per lien) | $36.00 |
| Change of Address | No Fee |
| Duplicate Registration Card (at registration/renewal) | $2.00 |
| Duplicate Registration Card (other times) | $7.00 |
| Uncollectible Check Transaction Fee | $51.00 |
Special Processing Options
Pennsylvania offers reduced processing fees for qualifying low-income residents. Eligible applicants with annual income not exceeding $29,906 may qualify for a $12 processing fee instead of standard registration fees through Form MV-371.
Inspection Fees
| Inspection Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Annual Safety Inspection Sticker | $12.00 |
| Semi-Annual Inspection Sticker | $10.00 |
| Emission Inspection Sticker | No Fee |
Regional Requirements by Emissions Testing Area
Pennsylvania requires emissions testing in 25 of 67 counties, organized into four regional programs with specific requirements and associated costs.
Philadelphia Region
Counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia
Vehicles in the Philadelphia region must pass annual emissions inspections in addition to safety inspections. The emissions inspection itself carries no state fee, but testing stations may charge service fees.
Pittsburgh Region
Counties: Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, Westmoreland
Similar to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh region vehicles require annual emissions testing with no additional state fees beyond standard inspection costs.
South Central Region
Counties: Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Northampton, York
Vehicles registered in South Central region counties must comply with enhanced emissions inspection requirements.
Northern Region
Counties: Blair, Cambria, Centre, Erie, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mercer
Northern region counties maintain emissions testing requirements, though recent legislative proposals have sought exemptions for some counties in this region.
Non-Emissions Counties
The remaining 42 counties do not require emissions testing: Armstrong, Bedford, Bradford, Butler, Cameron, Carbon, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Crawford, Elk, Fayette, Forest, Fulton, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Jefferson, Juniata, Lawrence, McKean, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Venango, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming.
Title Fees
Pennsylvania title fees remain consistent statewide regardless of vehicle location or type.
| Title Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Original Certificate of Title | $72.00 |
| Duplicate Title (lost/destroyed) | $72.00 |
| Record a Lien (with title issuance) | $108.00 |
| Satisfy a Lien (with title issuance) | $72.00 |
| Name Change (with new title) | $72.00 |
