Do I have to register car in PA? (Pittsburgh, Portland: leasing, car insurance) - Pennsylvania - City-Data Forum

whyaduck · 08-11-2008, 03:51 PM

Here's the deal. I moved to PA from Florida in June to be with my fiance. I have a Florida driver's license and my car is registered in Florida and expires in September. I know that I'm supposed to get a PA driver's license and register the car in PA, but we're not planning to stay in the state beyond spring 2009. In addition, the car is jointly registered in my mother's name, who lives in Florida.

The bottom line is that I'd prefer to keep my Florida driver's license and registration until I move out of state next year. Does anyone know where I stand legally if I renew the Florida registration for another year and do not register it in PA? Or, can you suggest who should I contact about this?

Thanks!

WoodturnerMike · 08-11-2008, 05:15 PM

By law you have to register the vehicle in Pa and obtain a Pa. operator license. As I recall you must do so within 6 months of relocating. Here's the Penndot website:
PENNDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - Motor Vehicle Services (http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/motor_vehicle/index.shtml - broken link)
Something else to keep in mind, if you have an accident and your insurance company determines that you and the vehicle were not residing where it is registered and you are licensed, will they cover you? Not that they look to avoid paying claims................

Mike

juliempdx · 08-11-2008, 05:37 PM

whyaduck,

I lived in Portland, OR for a year and a half with out of state plates. As long as your insurance covers you no matter what state you are in it's not a big deal. If you do get pulled over I suggest telling them that you are in PA temporarily for a job. I know this sounds sketchy but I was in Portland on a job assignment and knew that I would be moving to Pittsburgh so I just kept my car licensed and registered in the prev. state I had lived in and never had a problem. I gotta tell you if you can avoid having to register your car in PA it will save you a lot of headache and money. I am currently trying to go through the process right now. 17 stops later you'll have your license and plates if your lucky. I'm on step #5 I think. We even told our insurance company that we were temporarily living there and they had no issues with it, they even changed our billing address but we kept paying Idaho premiums. I think you will be fine.

whyaduck · 08-12-2008, 09:32 AM

juliempdx,

Thank you for your response. I would like to do everything by the book, but I'm running into a problem in that my Florida registration expires next month. Could you elaborate on the process you are going through? The Penndot web site is incredibly vague. Right now, I'm thinking that I should renew my Florida registration to buy some time. It's pretty cheap in comparison to most states, so even if I do register in PA, it won't set me back that much.

Thanks!!

WoodturnerMike · 08-12-2008, 04:08 PM

Whyaduck,

It's not at all difficult. This is from Penndot, first is for registration, second is for your operator license. If you're not going to register in Pa. you should most definitely check with your auto insurer to make sure you're covered living there and registered and licensed elsewhere

Mike
New Residents

The state requires you to register your vehicle within 20 days of moving to Pennsylvania. You must do this in person at any Driver and Vehicle Service Center location and bring with you:

Your vehicle's title.

Proof of Pennsylvania car insurance.

Form MV-1, completed. This cannot be downloaded, so you'll need to pick it up when you arrive at the Driver License Center.

A vehicle identification number (VIN) tracing. Or have the VIN verified by an inspection mechanic or a notary.

If the vehicle is leased, your leasing company must submit an Application for Lessee Information.

A check or money order for $36.

New Residents of Pennsylvania

If you just became a Pennsylvania resident and hold a driver's license from another state, you have 60 days to apply for a Pennsylvania license. If you wait longer, you'll be required to labor through the whole testing process as if you were a new driver.
To swap your out-of-state license for a Pennsylvania one, you must apply in person at a Driver License Center and bring with you:

Your old license, which you must surrender.

Proof of U.S. citizenship (see below).

Two forms of proof confirming your residency in the state (see below).

Your Social Security card.

A check or money order to pay the $26 fee for a four-year license.

teachbeach · 08-12-2008, 04:43 PM

You can register a car in PA without changing your license right away. When I moved from NJ to PA I was up for NJ inspection and decided to register and get car inspected here in PA before I actually moved here (I did have an address) Then I got my license changed after I was actually living here. I think there was a gap of 3 or 4 months.

You might be able to get away with keeping it registered in Florida, but you should probably check with your insurance company~it's sort of like the out of state student scenario isn't it?

moparsnguitars · 08-12-2008, 04:47 PM

Just renew your florida registration & you will be fine. I lived in virginia for a year & a half & never changed my PA license or registration or plate.

juliempdx · 08-12-2008, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whyaduck

juliempdx,

Thank you for your response. I would like to do everything by the book, but I'm running into a problem in that my Florida registration expires next month. Could you elaborate on the process you are going through? The Penndot web site is incredibly vague. Right now, I'm thinking that I should renew my Florida registration to buy some time. It's pretty cheap in comparison to most states, so even if I do register in PA, it won't set me back that much.

Thanks!!

Your very welcome. When I was in Oregon my Idaho registration needed to be renewed and I just did it on line through the Idaho DMV. I'm not sure what FL's process is but I don't see any reason why you need to get PA registration when it sounds like you already know you aren't staying, think of all the costs you will have to pay to have everything transferred back to Florida when you move back.

I finally got my PA registration and plates today, I will explain the process just in case you want to go ahead and do it. First you have to get the paperwork from AAA or the DMV then take the form and the car to a mechanic and have the VIN traced. Next step get a PA drivers license which you need your out of state license, your ss card, a passport or a birth certificate and two forms for proof of residence. This has to be done at the DMV. Then we went back to AAA with the title, mileage, proof of PA insurance, payed a $100 for one vehicle and I now have plates....... But wait theres more I still have to go get it emission tested and a state inspection. My advice renew your FL registration

WoodturnerMike · 08-12-2008, 07:16 PM

Or you can follow the steps as given on the Penndot website and trace your own VIN number, it simply requires a pencil and paper.

teachbeach · 08-12-2008, 10:57 PM

I believe a certified mechanic has to verify the VIN number. I remember having to go to the gas station across the street from AAA to have the guy stamp and sign my traced VIN number. Crazy. I did not need my PA license to register my car. I was in the process of moving here and gave them my new home address. I think we had just closed on the house, but I wasn't living here until 2 months later. That's when I finally could get to DMV to take the test and get my license.