How do I register my CA Car in PA?

McGyv3r · 06-24-2022, 08:52 AM

I recently moved from San Francisco to Philly. I drove the f30 across the country and shipped the e30. What do I need to do to get my cars registered here?

I was advised by the guys at VAC to go to a title & tags place and then go back to VAC for the inspection. Do I really need to go to a tag place? I already need to go to the DMV to get my ID, can I save some cash and just do it all there?

I have a CA ID that I'm going to trade for a PA ID. I have a paper title for both cars. I think I need a VIN etching for both cars. Do I need anything else to get the cars registered?

Once registered, do I just take the car to VAC for the inspection?

Thanks for any clarification!

Solidjake · 06-24-2022, 12:23 PM

Used these pages when my wife bought her car in NJ while we were living in PA

https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Servic...s/default.aspx

McGyv3r · 07-25-2022, 03:50 PM

For any one else that may find this thread:

PA is a very strange place. They have "Driver's License Centers", these are not full DMVs. I'm not sure all of the services they offer, but they don't offer tags and titles. Some of them are able to print RealIDs, some can't. If you go to one that can't, it's 15 days by mail to get an idea or they give you a Photo Card to take to a center that can print the ID for you.

As I said before, they don't do tags or titles. The ONLY DMV that does that is in Harrisburg, PA. That means you HAVE to go to a tags and title place. They didn't care about VIN tracings for my car. I think they have a base fee they have to charge (goes to the state) plus whatever they want to charge on top.

gds52 · 09-04-2022, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McGyv3r

For any one else that may find this thread:

PA is a very strange place. They have "Driver's License Centers", these are not full DMVs. I'm not sure all of the services they offer, but they don't offer tags and titles. Some of them are able to print RealIDs, some can't. If you go to one that can't, it's 15 days by mail to get an idea or they give you a Photo Card to take to a center that can print the ID for you.

As I said before, they don't do tags or titles. The ONLY DMV that does that is in Harrisburg, PA. That means you HAVE to go to a tags and title place. They didn't care about VIN tracings for my car. I think they have a base fee they have to charge (goes to the state) plus whatever they want to charge on top.

Wow. That's insane. This is such a simple task.

And ppl call NJ bad compared to PA.
I bought a car from Iowa, got the title and got it registered in NJ DMV (MVC), 10 mins from my home. The whole process took 15-20 mins.

BaconDouble · 09-07-2022, 02:22 PM

Yes you need to go to a “tag” store. They are all over and can help. They serve as the intermediary between Harrisburg (Government) and you. They do this all day long and can answer all of your questions.

It’s a pain. Just look at whoever is closest to you in Google and they will get all of the paperwork done for you.

You will need to also get the car inspected for mechanical and emissions (2 stickers on front of windshield), this is done every year (most counties in PA and only for modern cars). Lots of exceptions exist for “classic/antique” vehicles, and rural counties often do not have emissions testing.

spiktakular1 · 09-09-2022, 08:14 AM

You can do all paperwork needed to transfer your vehicles to P.A. at any local auto tag place.

06-24-2022, 08:52 AM	#1
McGyv3r Second Lieutenant 161 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 1989 325i & 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00] 1989 BMW 325i [0.00]	How do I register my CA Car in PA? I recently moved from San Francisco to Philly. I drove the f30 across the country and shipped the e30. What do I need to do to get my cars registered here? I was advised by the guys at VAC to go to a title & tags place and then go back to VAC for the inspection. Do I really need to go to a tag place? I already need to go to the DMV to get my ID, can I save some cash and just do it all there? I have a CA ID that I'm going to trade for a PA ID. I have a paper title for both cars. I think I need a VIN etching for both cars. Do I need anything else to get the cars registered? Once registered, do I just take the car to VAC for the inspection? Thanks for any clarification!
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06-24-2022, 12:23 PM	#2
Solidjake ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 945 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: '13 328i Msport 6MT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NYC/SNJ iTrader: (2)	Used these pages when my wife bought her car in NJ while we were living in PA https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Servic...s/default.aspx __________________ Tensioner/belt DIY \| Side skirt extension DIY Apex SM-10/DWS06+ \| 400m/X-ice Xi3 \| Injen Exhaust \| Stoptech SS Lines \| 335 Front Brakes Hawk HPS 5.0 \| RBF600 \| ER Charge Pipes \| Wagner Evo Comp 2 FMIC
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07-25-2022, 03:50 PM	#3
McGyv3r Second Lieutenant 161 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 1989 325i & 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00] 1989 BMW 325i [0.00]	For any one else that may find this thread: PA is a very strange place. They have "Driver's License Centers", these are not full DMVs. I'm not sure all of the services they offer, but they don't offer tags and titles. Some of them are able to print RealIDs, some can't. If you go to one that can't, it's 15 days by mail to get an idea or they give you a Photo Card to take to a center that can print the ID for you. As I said before, they don't do tags or titles. The ONLY DMV that does that is in Harrisburg, PA. That means you HAVE to go to a tags and title place. They didn't care about VIN tracings for my car. I think they have a base fee they have to charge (goes to the state) plus whatever they want to charge on top.
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09-07-2022, 02:22 PM	#5
BaconDouble Private First Class 57 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 19 F34 340i xDrive GranTurismo Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	Yes you need to go to a “tag” store. They are all over and can help. They serve as the intermediary between Harrisburg (Government) and you. They do this all day long and can answer all of your questions. It’s a pain. Just look at whoever is closest to you in Google and they will get all of the paperwork done for you. You will need to also get the car inspected for mechanical and emissions (2 stickers on front of windshield), this is done every year (most counties in PA and only for modern cars). Lots of exceptions exist for “classic/antique” vehicles, and rural counties often do not have emissions testing.
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09-09-2022, 08:14 AM	#6
spiktakular1 New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2012 328i xdrive wagon Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0)	You can do all paperwork needed to transfer your vehicles to P.A. at any local auto tag place.
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