Overview
Motorcycles register cheaper still at $25 a year ($50 for two), and mopeds or motor-driven cycles cheaper again at $11. None of this involves a sticker anymore - Pennsylvania eliminated the physical registration decal back in 2017, so what you're paying for today is a plate and a printed registration card, not an annual piece of adhesive plastic for your windshield.
01 - Official fees
Pennsylvania registration fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger car/truck - 1 year | $48.00 | |
| Passenger car/truck - 2 years | $96.00 | |
| Motorcycle - 1 year / 2 years | $25.00 / $50.00 | |
| Motor-driven cycle / moped - 1 yr / 2 yr | $11.00 / $22.00 | |
| County fee for local use | $5.00/yr | ~25 of 67 counties opted in |
| Road User Charge - EV | $250.00/yr | $500 for 2-year registration |
| Road User Charge - PHEV | $63.00/yr | $126 for 2-year registration |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with an authorized PennDOT agent, notary, or online messenger service (PennDOT itself has no walk-in tag counters) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a vehicle in Pennsylvania
- 1
Have PA liability insurance in place - you'll need the policy details on hand.
- 2
If you just bought the vehicle, get the title transferred first (or file MV-1/MV-4ST simultaneously).
- 3
Take your title or prior registration, insurance information, and payment to an authorized PennDOT agent, notary, or online messenger.
- 4
Choose one or two years; EV and PHEV owners pay the Road User Charge for the same term as the registration.
- 5
Get your plate and printed registration card on the spot - there's no sticker to wait for.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Pennsylvania vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Pennsylvania registration fees FAQ
How much does it cost to register a car in Pennsylvania per year?
$48 for a standard passenger vehicle, or $53 if your county charges the local-use fee. Electric vehicles add the $250 Road User Charge; plug-in hybrids add $63.
Which counties charge the extra $5 local-use fee?
About 25 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties have opted in, including Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia. PennDOT publishes the full, current list in its 'Fee for Local Use - Participating Counties' fact sheet, since counties can opt in or out over time.
Can I register for two years instead of one in Pennsylvania?
Yes - $96 for a passenger vehicle, $50 for a motorcycle - and it locks in your county fee and EV/PHEV Road User Charge for both years up front instead of paying annually.
Do I still get a registration sticker?
No. Pennsylvania eliminated the physical windshield sticker at the start of 2017. You get a plate (on first issuance) and a printed registration card; renewals arrive by mail as a notice, not a sticker to replace.
What's the Road User Charge and why do only some vehicles pay it?
It's a flat annual fee on electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles - $250 and $63 in 2026 - designed to replace the gas-tax revenue those vehicles don't generate. It launched at $200/$50 in April 2025 and is scheduled for inflation adjustments starting in 2027.
Is there a reduced registration fee for veterans or low-income owners?
Yes. Owners whose income falls under a set annual threshold can apply for a $12 processing fee in place of the full registration fee (Form MV-371 or MV-140), and certain disabled veterans, former POWs, and Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients qualify for completely free registration.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.