Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT) Customer FAQ

Registering a new vehicle in Pennsylvania requires a few steps. First, you'll need to provide necessary documents such as a proof of ownership (usually a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin or title), a Pennsylvania driver's license, a lien holder's info (if applicable), a Pennsylvania title completed by all parties, and a tracing of the vehicle identification number. Then, you must fill out the Application for Certificate of Title (Form MV-1). Once these steps are completed you are required to pay applicable title fees, sales tax, and registration fees. Odometer disclosure statement is also needed for vehicles less than ten years old. Please ensure that your vehicle is insured and complies with Pennsylvania's vehicle safety inspection regulations.

If your vehicle has been declared a total loss following an insurance claim, you cannot drive it until it’s been repaired, re-inspected, and issued a PA Salvage Certificate by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT). It's essential for you to process your PA Certificate of Title to PA Salvage Certificate as soon as possible to fall within any statutory requirements and to ensure the legality of your vehicle. The issuance of a PA Salvage Certificate means that the vehicle has passed all necessary inspections and is safe to operate. Until this certificate is obtained, the vehicle is not legal to drive.

For privacy reasons, we cannot provide information about a vehicle's registration status to anyone other than the vehicle’s owner. If your car has been stolen, please report this to the police immediately. They have the ability to track your vehicle using the VIN and can investigate if it has been re-registered. This is something you can't do on your own because of privacy laws, but law enforcement has access to this kind of information and can help you.