How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Pennsylvania

1. Get Started With Car Registration Application Assistance Online

Vehicle registrations need to be renewed regularly. Many states require vehicle owners to renew their registrations every year, although some states offer the option to purchase registrations that last for two years or longer. Most states allow you to quickly renew your car registration online, but you should be aware of the information you will need to provide, the necessary fees and the acceptable methods of payment to ensure a smooth transaction. Our online guide can help you prepare all the required documents and fees so that you can renew your vehicle registration as smoothly and quickly as possible. In it, you will also discover all the steps needed to replace a lost registration and to update your name or address with the DMV.

2. By Mail

Some vehicle owners may prefer to renew their auto registrations through the mail. Certain states will allow their residents to apply by mail, but vehicle owners may need to meet certain eligibility requirements to submit their request. Additionally, the ways in which you may pay your renewal fee are limited to check or money order, and you may experience processing delays due to the time it takes the postal service to deliver your application. Furthermore, you may risk losing your application or registration tags in the mail, adding to the wait time.

3. In Person at a DMV Office

Renewing your vehicle registration in person at a DMV office is an option if you cannot or prefer not to apply by mail or online. Typically, the DMV will issue your new registration credentials after receiving payment. However, certain states may require you to wait to receive your renewed registration documents in the mail. While visiting a DMV office in person may provide you with more personalized attention, it often involves long waits. Additionally, the office hours of many DMV locations can interfere with your work schedule.

You need to get a car registration renewal in Pennsylvania once every one or two years. This requirement was put in place by the state in order to ensure that all drivers get their inspections regularly and have maintained the required auto insurance coverage. In general, you are able to get a DMV registration renewal online, in person or via the mail. No matter which method you choose, you will need to submit the same information about yourself, your vehicle and its insurance policy.

In this article, you will learn all that you need to know about getting a PA DMV car registration renewal: which form you should use, how much it costs, how the process works for military personnel and where you can mail in your request. By the end of the article, you will understand what you need to know in order to renew a registration in the state.

Requirements for Car Registration Renewal in Pennsylvania

Before you can change your Pennsylvania DMV registration renewal status, you need to fulfill the following requirements:

  • You must have the proper auto insurance policy, which includes both bodily injury and property damage coverage.
  • Your vehicle’s safety features must be inspected.
  • Your vehicle must undergo emissions testing if you live in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, among other regions.

What do you need to renew your car registration in Pennsylvania?

Completing a “Request for Registration” form is required for all DMV car registration renewal procedures that do not take place online. In any case, you will need to provide information about your vehicle’s certificate of title, registration and insurance policy.

Furthermore, acceptable forms of payment for the DMV registration renewal fees will vary based on which renewal method you use.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

The Pennsylvania vehicle registration renewal notice is designed to inform you of when your registration is set to expire. Unlike many states, the renewal notice issued by the PA Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is not used when getting your registration renewed. Instead, you will need to submit the “Request for Registration” form.

On the other hand, you may find important information on your notice that can be used for you to renew a car registration in the state. For instance, this document will include your title and current registration number.

Pennsylvania Car Registration Renewal Notice Lost or Not Received

If you lost the car registration renewal form, otherwise known as the “Request for Registration”, you will be able to find another one online, at a DMV office or at an Online Messenger office. If you lost your registration renewal notice, you will not be required to obtain a new one. Instead, you should simply fill out the “Request for Registration” form and submit it to the DMV, using one of the methods outlined below.

Pennsylvania Car Registration Renewal Options

Pennsylvania offers three different ways for a vehicle owner to renew a car registration in Pennsylvania. Each of them presents varying requirements and provide particular advantages. In general, applicants opt to renew a car registration online because it allows them to file this request from home.

On the other hand, mail-in registration renewals are convenient for motorists who do not have access to a computer. Finally, in-person renewals allow you to speak to a representative if you have any questions regarding this procedure. Below you will learn how to renew a car registration in Pennsylvania, no matter which of the three renewal methods you use.

How to Renew Your Car Registration Online

You can renew a car registration online in Pennsylvania within six months of its expiration date. To do so, the DMV requires you to provide your name and address, as well as:

  • Your PA drivers license, title and registration numbers.
  • The current mileage on your vehicle, as indicated by the odometer.
  • Your car insurance information, which includes the company’s name and NAIC code, as well as the policy’s number and expiration date.

You can pay for a vehicle registration renewal online using either a debit or credit card. The DMV does not mail in registration cards or stickers to online applicants. Instead, once your registration is renewed, you need to print it out and sign it. This will serve as proof of your registration. Therefore, if you do not have a printer, you should avoid using this renewal method.

How to Renew Your Car Registration by Mail

To renew a car registration via the mail, you will need to fill out the “Request for Registration” form and include the vehicle’s title number, registration number and VIN, as well as stating its make and body type. Moreover, you need to state your name, date of birth and identification number. You will also be required to provide identifying information about your insurance policy. Then, all of this information must be sent to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1101 S. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17104-2516

If you are requesting a leased car registration renewal, you will need to fill out Section E of the form, which requires the lessor’s name. In any case, you can pay for the registration with either a money order or a check.

How to Renew Your Car Registration in Person

When choosing where to renew your registration in Pennsylvania, you may do so at DMV office locations. These offices require you to bring a “Request for Registration” form, or fill one out there. This form asks you to provide basic information about yourself, your vehicle and your insurance policy.

To pay for the motor vehicle registration renewal at a DMV office, you must use either a money order or a check. Contact an Online Messenger before you go to determine their accepted payment methods.

Military & Out of State Vehicle Registration Renewal in Pennsylvania

Active duty military service members need to renew their car registration using the same method as civilians. If your car is registered in Pennsylvania while you are serving outside the state, you may choose to renew online. You will not be required to get your vehicle inspected while you are outside of the state, but you must get your vehicle inspected no more than 10 days after you have returned. If you are unable to bring the vehicle yourself, someone else may bring it for you.

You cannot drive with an expired vehicle registration in PA. Thus, if you did not keep your registration current while you were away, you will need to renew the expired registration before driving your vehicle on Pennsylvania state roads. Generally, you can renew your vehicle for one or two years, with the two-year renewal being more convenient for military service members.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration Renewal Fees

The standard car registration renewal cost in Pennsylvania is the same for all passenger vehicles. Consider the following common fees:

  • Registering your vehicle for one-year costs $37.
  • Registering your vehicle for two years costs $74.

Pennsylvania Vehicle Registration Renewal Forms

Note: DMV forms change regularly. The forms provided above are current based on the date of writing.

Last updated on Monday, April 4 2022.

Sources

  1. Renewing Your Registration from PA.gov