When buying a new car, there are things you should always know about the process… like what paperwork you’ll need to have in order to complete the transaction legally. Thankfully, your dealer should take care of all of that for you! But in the spirit of staying well informed, here are the things you need in order to get a new car.

First, you should have the Certificate of Title with your name and address as well as current odometer reading on the vehicle you’re buying. Then, you need to transfer the title and register the car by either applying for new registration and license plate, or by transferring the registration and license plate from your old car.

To get this paperwork done, you need to go to a PennDOT office and bring:

• The title certificate, which must be signed by you AND the seller in front of a PennDOT agent.

• Proof of car insurance.

• A valid Pennsylvania ID.

• Application forms, which are available at the PennDOT office:

  • The Application for Pennsylvania Certificate of Title (Form MV-1).

  • The Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Return/Application for Registration (Form MV-4ST).

If you’re not transferring plates, you can get a temporary registration that’s valid for 90 days.

This should all be taken care of by your dealer, but before you buy a new car you should definitely make sure that you’re on the same page about paperwork. Good luck!