How To Register a Car In New Jersey
New Jersey newcomers looking to register their vehicle must schedule an in-person appointment at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
Written by Abbey Orzech
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
You have 60 days from the day of your move or used car purchase to register your vehicle in person at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC). If you
purchase a new car
from a New Jersey
dealership, the registration and title
will be taken care of through the dealership. Vehicle titling and
registration
or registration renewal in New Jersey can be handled online or in person at the Motor Vehicle Commission. While these processes are relatively straightforward, the details of your vehicle sale will alter the specific requirements for your vehicle registration.Find out if you can reduce your monthly car payments in minutes
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How to register a car in New Jersey
Though the details of your vehicle will shift the specifics of your registration process, the requirements are relatively similar across the board. In general, you’ll need the title or notarized bill of sale, a valid New Jersey driver’s license or ID, proof of New Jersey car insurance, and a form of payment to register a car in New Jersey.
If you just moved to New Jersey
If you’ve just arrived in the Garden State, one task you’ll want to take care of ASAP is registering your vehicle. You will have 60 days from the day of your move or 60 days before your current license and registration expires, whichever happens first, to get your registration and title squared away.
When transferring your out-of-state vehicle to New Jersey, or if you’ve bought a used vehicle, you must make an in-person appointment at your local Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). They do not accept walk-ins, so be sure to use the
NJMVC online scheduling portal
to book your appointment in the appropriate time frame. Before making your way there, though, you’ll need to have a few things with you:
- Vehicle’s title
- Driver’s license or other form of ID
- Proof of valid New Jersey auto insurance (insurance card or policy number with company’s name)
- Entity Identification Number of the lien holder and financing statement (if applicable)
- Dealer reassignment documentation (if applicable)
- Power of Attorney if someone besides the vehicle’s purchaser fills out the documents
You will also be responsible for a small handful of fees, including a title fee, registration fee, and sales tax. The titling fee depends on your lien status, if any:
- $60 for standard vehicles
- $85 for vehicles financed with one lien
- $110 for vehicles financed with two liens
How much you’ll pay in registration fees will depend on your vehicle’s details like the make and model, manufacturing year, and vehicle weight, and the sales tax will be based on the price of your vehicle.
Once all your completed forms, documents, and fees are submitted, you will receive your vehicle registration and license plate and can be on your way!
If you just bought a car
New Jersey dealerships handle the registration and titling for new vehicles purchased directly from them, so you’ll have this taken care of for you if you just bought a new car. However, if you bought a
used car
, you’ll need to go through the same process as someone who just moved to the Garden State. How much insurance coverage do you need in New Jersey?
To be considered a legal driver in New Jersey, you must carry the state’s minimum amount of required car insurance coverage. Generally, you need liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and personal injury protection.
For your minimum liability insurance, follow the 15/30/5 rule:
- $30,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance requires a minimum of 25/50:
- $25,000 bodily injury coverage per person
- $50,000 bodily injury coverage per accident
And to top it all off, you’ll need to purchase at least $15,000 of
personal injury protection insurance
per person. Keep in mind, though, that these are all just the minimum amount of insurance required in New Jersey. It is usually worth at least considering the purchase of additional protections to help cover the cost of medical bills and vehicle repairs. How to renew your New Jersey vehicle registration
The state of New Jersey requires annual vehicle registration renewal, meaning you’ll need to re-register your car once a year.
Typically, you’ll receive a Registration Renewal Notice in the mail so make sure the address recorded with the MVC is your correct mailing address. You’ll also be able to check your current registration or your license plate tags to find the final month and year your registration is good.
All individuals that qualify for online registration renewal must take care of their renewal online. Simply visit the
registration renewal portal
to complete the renewal form, confirm your valid New Jersey auto insurance, and pay the registration fee with a valid Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card. If you are ineligible for online renewal, you must make an in-person appointment with your local MVC and bring your Registration Renewal Notice or VIN, confirmation of your car insurance, your vehicle’s license plate number, proof of ID, a completed
Application for Vehicle Registration
(Form BA-49), and the registration fee with you to the appointment.You may also wish to mail in your car’s registration renewal, in which case you’ll need to fill out both the front and back sides of your Registration Renewal Notice and make a check or money order out to the NJMVC for the amount specified on your notice.
How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate
Misplaced or stolen registration stickers are some unfortunate luck, but they do happen! If you’re in that situation, you will need to
order a duplicate registration
from the MVC’s website. Fill in your VIN, driver’s license or ID number, license plate number, email address, insurance information, and valid form of payment and you should see your new registration in the mail within seven to 14 business days. “I wanted to stick with only the insurance my state requires for now.Jerryhelped me save $75 a month on my premium!” —Nora H.
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FAQs
What are the requirements to register a vehicle in New Jersey?
To register a vehicle in New Jersey, you’ll need the vehicle’s title or notarized bill of sale, your driver’s license or New Jersey ID, proof of auto insurance, a completed Vehicle Registration Application, a completed Application for Certificate of Ownership for out-of-state vehicles, any lien information if applicable, and the titling, registration, and sales tax fees.
Who is exempt from paying sales tax on their vehicle in New Jersey?
New Jersey requires you to pay the sales tax on your vehicle at either the time of purchase or when registering the vehicle. However, you will not have to pay sales tax on your vehicle if you get your vehicle from the Federal or State government or an international organization with US involvement, if you have a 100% Zero Emissions Vehicle, if your vehicle was gifted or inherited, or if your vehicle was bought, titled, and registered in another state before the purchaser was a resident of New Jersey.
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