How to Register a Car in New Jersey

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

This article has been viewed 84,746 times.

If you're a resident of the state of New Jersey and you buy or lease a car, you must register and title it with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). If you trade in a car for a new one, you also have the option of transferring your old registration. You can renew your registration online or through the mail. However, initial registrations or registration transfers must be completed in person at your local motor vehicle agency. [1] X Research source

Applying for Registration

• If you're not sure where the nearest MVC office is, you can look it up at https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/locations/facilitylocations.htm.

Warning: You have to first schedule an appointment for registration before you can visit MVC.

• If your vehicle is leased or financed, you'll also need your financing statement and the lien holder's information.

• To total your title and registration fees, visit https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/regfees.htm and find the weight class that applies to your vehicle.
• Call the New Jersey Department of Taxation at 609-984-6206 if you need help calculating the sales tax for your vehicle.
• If you purchased a new car, you must pay the registration fees for 4 years. For leased vehicles, you must pay the registration fees for the term of the lease. [5] X Research source

• Enter your information on the form neatly, writing in blue or black ink.
• Double-check your form for hours before you turn it in. Mistakes may cause your registration to be void.

• Keep your registration document in the glove box of your car at all times.
• If you ordered a custom or specialty plate, you may be issued a temporary tag to be put on your car. Your plate will be mailed to you.

Transferring Your Registration

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• For example, if you traded in a sedan for another sedan or a small SUV, you typically could transfer the registration. However, if you traded in a van or larger truck for a sedan, you wouldn't be able to transfer the registration because the vehicles wouldn't be in the same weight class.

• At the motor vehicle agency, let staff at the greeter desk know that you want to transfer registration. They'll provide you with the forms you need.

• Enter the information legibly, using blue or black ink. Make sure the information you enter on the new form matches the information on the old registration form.

• You will have to pay a transfer fee of $4.50, plus the prorated registration fee. You can pay with a major credit or debit card, personal check, money order, or cash. [12] X Research source
• If you also need to title your new car, provide the title. If your new car is financed or leased, provide the finance agreement along with the name and contact information for the lien holder.

• Your old plates are now associated with your new car. You cannot use them with any other vehicle.

Renewing Your Registration

• If any information on the renewal notice is inaccurate, call the MVC customer support line at 609-292-6500. The number is available on weekdays (except holidays) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

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• You also must provide your Social Security number and your insurance policy number.
• You can pay your registration fees online using a valid major credit or debit card.
• You cannot renew online after the expiration date listed on your renewal notice.

• If you don't have the return envelope, you can mail your payment to New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Revenue Processing Center, PO Box 009, Trenton, NJ 08646-0009.

• The MVC accepts major credit or debit cards, checks, money orders, and cash if you are renewing your registration in person.

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1. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/reginitial.htm
2. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/reginitial.htm
3. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/reginitial.htm
4. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/regfees.htm
5. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/reginitial.htm
6. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/reginitial.htm
7. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/reginitial.htm
8. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/aboutplates.htm
9. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/aboutplates.htm

1. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/aboutplates.htm
2. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/aboutplates.htm
3. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/reginitial.htm
4. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/aboutplates.htm
5. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/regrenew.htm
6. ↑https://emvc.state.nj.us/mvc/MVC_VEHRR/html/FAQ.htm
7. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/regrenew.htm
8. ↑https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/vehicles/regrenew.htm

About This Article

This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 84,746 times.

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