Pennsylvania DMV

[Snaxx]

I know a couple others have moved into PA recently, can someone share their experience and advice r/e getting PA registration & plates; I currently have New York lic, vehicle title, plates and insurance:

So far I've notified GEICO of my move and they advised me to register in PA then they will update my insurance from NY to PA.

1. Apply in person for a PA drivers license, surrender my NY license to PA.
2. Have someone such as a notary or car dealer get Form MV-1 ... it looks like I would need an inspector or mechanic to inspect my car as well.
3. Go to Harrisburg (the search shows as the only location, unless I searched wrong) with proof of my insurance and application and a couple of other documents to apply for PA registration and plates.

It says I must do so within 20 days of establishing PA residence. In December I have both my NY and PA apts, then in January I will only have my PA apt. I stated Dec. 16 as my move date with GEICO.

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/new_resident ... icle.shtml

[Bob Juch]

You certainly don't have to go to Harrisburg. Use this to find the closest office to you:

https://www.dot4.state.pa.us/locator/locator.jsp

[Snaxx]

You certainly don't have to go to Harrisburg. Use this to find the closest office to you:

https://www.dot4.state.pa.us/locator/locator.jsp

I selected new resident title and transfer & it gave me Harrisburg. Maybe I could just choose "address change" but I thought that would be intra-PA. There are a lot more places for that option. Hopefully one of the Philly locations will work.

[KillerTomato]

I know a couple others have moved into PA recently, can someone share their experience and advice r/e getting PA registration & plates; I currently have New York lic, vehicle title, plates and insurance:

So far I've notified GEICO of my move and they advised me to register in PA then they will update my insurance from NY to PA.

1. Apply in person for a PA drivers license, surrender my NY license to PA.
2. Have someone such as a notary or car dealer get Form MV-1 ... it looks like I would need an inspector or mechanic to inspect my car as well.
3. Go to Harrisburg (the search shows as the only location, unless I searched wrong) with proof of my insurance and application and a couple of other documents to apply for PA registration and plates.

It says I must do so within 20 days of establishing PA residence. In December I have both my NY and PA apts, then in January I will only have my PA apt. I stated Dec. 16 as my move date with GEICO.

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/new_resident ... icle.shtml

Are you a AAA member? They'll handle the whole thing, IIRC.

My case wasn't as complicated, since I was a returning resident (having been born here, and got my first license and registration in here). IIRC, what you have to do is find a Title/Registration messenger service. They're also notaries, so you go there, fill in all the required paperwork (you may have to contact your lienholder, if applicable), then they get it to Harrisburg, and you pick up the new registration at the messenger service again. It's not as complicated as it sounds....any messenger service (like AAA) will help you out.

[KillerTomato]

I'm pretty sure there are more than listed here, but check out:

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/fa ... isting.pdf

[KillerTomato]

One more thing:

I'm not sure, but I THINK that most AAA locations will handle registration messenger services even if you're not a AAA member. They may charge you more, but contact the individual agency to find out.

[Snaxx]

I am a AAA member, so I'lll start with AAA. Thanks for the info.

[Jeemie]

You certainly don't have to go to Harrisburg. Use this to find the closest office to you:

https://www.dot4.state.pa.us/locator/locator.jsp

I selected new resident title and transfer & it gave me Harrisburg. Maybe I could just choose "address change" but I thought that would be intra-PA. There are a lot more places for that option. Hopefully one of the Philly locations will work.

You can handle all your transfer work locally, using the list Bob gave you.

That's what I did when I moved to PA from CT 5 years ago.

Just remember to have a copy of your birth certificate that has the raised seal when you go to get your license. I tried to use my passport, and they wouldn't accept it.

[KillerTomato]

Just remember to have a copy of your birth certificate that has the raised seal when you go to get your license. I tried to use my passport, and they wouldn't accept it.

They will now.

At least, they did when I moved back 2 years ago.

[Weyoun]

I'm screwed. I wanted to switch my title over, but I left my German, impossible to drive in the snow auto with my parents, in exchange for something a little rugged.

The problem is, even though I got the plates and the title, I can't switch my car over, since they need an "etching" from it, from a mechanic that I apparently need to pay to do this. And I tried to get my license switched, only to find that you can't do that at the place where you switch your title, and there's only one place in Pittsburgh proper (on the North Shore, so it's not a short drive for me) where I can get a PA license.

Between this and the turnpike, what a hassle of a state! Congrats, PA: your bureaucracy has actually cost your state money!

There's almost no point to it: though I have a job and a home, Pitt makes it clear that I basically can't get instate tuition. So there's not a lot of reason for me to go through these hoops if I can just claim to be a Virginian just as easily.