The MV-140 is the Request for Registration that PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services, through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), uses to register a vehicle in Pennsylvania for the first time or to renew its current registration. Owners, co-owners, businesses and lessees use it, and it also carries the Retired Status application and the optional trust fund donations. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the form, its fee and its mailing address are set by PennDOT, as described below.
Last updated
What is MV-140?
Form MV-140, Request for Registration, is the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Bureau of Motor Vehicles form used to request an initial vehicle registration, which issues a registration plate, or to renew a vehicle's current registration.
The form is a single application with lettered sections. Section A describes the vehicle and the owner(s). Section B reports a change of address. Section C gives insurance information. Section D asks for the odometer reading. Section E names the lessor of a leased vehicle. Section F is the application for Retired Status. Section G records optional donations to the Pennsylvania Veterans Trust Fund (VTF) and the Organ Donor Trust Fund (ODTF). Section H totals the fees, and Section I holds the signatures and the motor carrier certification.
The form requires a fee, paid by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PennDOT directs applicants to Form MV-70S, Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees, for the current amounts.
Several companion forms are tied to it in the instructions: Form MV-1L (Application for Lessee Information), Form MV-8 (Self Certification for Proof of Residency) and Form MV-50 (Application for Replacement of Never Received Product). PennDOT also notes that registrations can be renewed online, where you pay the fee, print and sign a permanent registration credential, and no registration card is mailed.
Who needs to file MV-140?
Vehicle owners who need a registration plate for a vehicle that has none assigned use the Initial Registration box. Owners who are renewing the vehicle's current registration use the Registration Renewal box. Individuals enter their PA driver's license or photo ID number; businesses enter their Business ID number, such as an E.I.N.
Other groups use specific sections:
- Anyone whose address differs from the one on the registration card completes Section B.
- Lessors list themselves in Section E. If Form MV-1L has never been filed with PennDOT, the leasing company must complete it and return it with the application. A lessee may sign when the lessor has designated the lessee as registrant on Form MV-1L.
- Retired persons who meet the conditions printed in Section F may apply for the reduced Retired Status fee. It does not apply to people who receive only unemployment compensation or public assistance, or to students and others who are not retired.
- Applicants with an out-of-state address are not issued registration credentials unless an exception applies (U.S. Armed Forces personnel, federal or state employees working outside Pennsylvania and their families, businesses outside Pennsylvania with no Pennsylvania office, or park model trailers). They attach Form MV-8.
Registrants of trailers are not required to submit insurance information.
When to file MV-140
File Form MV-140 when the vehicle needs its first registration plate or when its current registration is due for renewal. The form prints no separate due date of its own.
Some timing rules are printed in the instructions. A lapse in insurance coverage could result in the suspension of registration privileges for three months, so keep insurance in force on every valid registration. Registrants of motor carrier vehicles must self-certify a currently valid safety inspection at renewal; failing to have one could result in suspension of registration for three months. If the application is processed and the registration is lost in the mail, you can apply for a free replacement within 90 days of the original issuance date using Form MV-50. Renewal periods of one or two years may be available; the renewal form or Form MV-70S gives the periods and fees. Retired Status is not available for a two-year registration period.
Documents you need
- Payment by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the total in Section H; the form says not to send cash.
- Form MV-8, Self Certification for Proof of Residency: complete and attach it only if you have an out-of-state address and qualify for an exception, such as U.S. Armed Forces personnel or a business outside Pennsylvania with no Pennsylvania office.
- Form MV-1L, Application for Lessee Information: the leasing company completes and returns it with the application only if it has never been filed with PennDOT for a leased vehicle.
- Proof of Heavy Vehicle Use Tax payment, required when the registered gross or combination weight is 55,000 pounds or more: a copy of Form 2290, Schedule 1, validated by the IRS, or an invalidated copy with a copy of your cancelled check.
- The fee exempt number assigned by PennDOT, entered in Section H, if the vehicle qualifies for a fee exemption under Section 1901(c) of the Vehicle Code.
How to fill out MV-140
Check Initial Registration or Renewal
At the top, check Initial Registration if no registration plate is currently assigned to the vehicle. Check Registration Renewal if you are renewing the current registration.
Describe the vehicle and owners
In Section A, enter the title number, vehicle identification number, plate number, expiration date, make, body type and, if applicable, registered gross and combination weights and number of axles (trucks and truck tractors only). Enter owner and co-owner names with PA DL/Photo ID# or Bus. ID# and date of birth.
Report a change of address
Complete Section B only if the address on your registration card differs from your actual address. Enter the new street address, city, state and ZIP code; a P.O. Box may be added but cannot be the only address.
Enter insurance information
In Section C, enter the insurance company name, NAIC number if it is on your card, policy number and the effective and expiration dates. If self-insured, enter SELF-INSURED as the company name and your certificate number as the policy number. Trailer registrants skip this section.
Record the odometer reading
In Section D, enter the current odometer reading, leaving out tenths.
Name the lessor if leased
In Section E, enter the lessor's name when the vehicle is leased. Remember that the leasing company must complete Form MV-1L if it has never been filed with PennDOT.
Apply for Retired Status if eligible
In Section F, enter the eligible applicant's name, date of birth and actual income during the past calendar year, then sign. Complete this section only if you meet the conditions printed there.
Choose optional donations
In Section G, check the box for the Veterans Trust Fund, the Organ Donor Trust Fund, or both, if you wish to contribute. Then show each donation in Section H.
Total the fees in Section H
Enter the registration or processing fee (line 1), the fee exempt number if assigned (line 2), county fee and number of years if applicable (line 3), donations (lines 4 and 5), duplicate registration cards (line 6) and the total (line 7). Use Form MV-70S for amounts.
Sign and certify in Section I
The owner or lessor signs exactly as the name appears on the registration card; a co-owner signs in the next space. Add a telephone number, and check the motor carrier block only if the vehicle is a motor carrier vehicle with a valid safety inspection.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check every section against your registration card and insurance card, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the form, payment and any required additional forms for submission as described under How to submit.
How to submit MV-140
You can submit Form MV-140 by mail to PennDOT, or renew online instead of mailing.
- By mail: Send the signed application, a check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and any required additional forms to: Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 1101 S. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2516. Do not send cash.
- Online renewal: PennDOT says you may instead pay your registration fee online from home or a mobile device through www.pa.gov/dmv, print and sign a permanent registration credential, and skip the wait for mail. PennDOT no longer mails a registration card for registrations renewed online.
Total the fees in Section H first; the instructions list the registration or processing fee, an optional county fee, VTF and ODTF donations and duplicate registration cards. For fee amounts, see Form MV-70S at www.pa.gov/dmv or call 717-412-5300 (TTY callers dial 711). FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending cash. The instructions say payment is by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and to not send cash.
- Checking Initial Registration when a plate is already assigned to the vehicle; that box is only for vehicles with no registration plate currently assigned.
- Listing a P.O. Box as the only address in Section B. A P.O. Box may be added to the actual address but cannot stand alone.
- Applying with an out-of-state address without attaching Form MV-8 when an exception applies; otherwise no registration credentials are issued.
- Claiming Retired Status while receiving only unemployment compensation or public assistance, or as a student; these applicants do not qualify.
- Requesting Retired Status on a two-year registration; the instructions say it is not eligible for a two-year period.
- Signing differently from the name(s) on the registration card, or leaving out an authorized representative's signature for a company or corporation.
- Leaving out proof of Heavy Vehicle Use Tax payment for a vehicle with a registered gross or combination weight of 55,000 pounds or more.
- Not checking the motor carrier block for a qualifying truck or truck tractor, which requires a certified valid safety inspection at renewal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MV-140 form used for?
The MV-140 is PennDOT's Request for Registration. You use it to request an initial registration plate for a vehicle that has none assigned, or to renew a vehicle's current registration. It also covers address changes, Retired Status and optional VTF and ODTF donations.
Can I fill out the MV-140 online?
You can fill out the MV-140 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of PennDOT and does not submit the form; you mail it to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with your payment, or renew online through PennDOT.
Where do I mail the MV-140 form?
Mail it with your check or money order to Bureau of Motor Vehicles, 1101 S. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2516. Include any required additional forms, such as Form MV-8 or Form MV-1L when they apply to you.
How do I pay the fee with the MV-140?
Pay by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and do not send cash. Total the fees in Section H. PennDOT's Form MV-70S lists current amounts, available at www.pa.gov/dmv, or you can call 717-412-5300.
Can I renew my Pennsylvania registration online instead of mailing the MV-140?
Yes. PennDOT says you can pay the registration fee online from home or a mobile device, then print and sign a permanent registration credential. PennDOT no longer mails a registration card for registrations renewed online.
Who qualifies for Retired Status on the MV-140?
You must be retired and receiving Social Security or other pension income as described in Section F, regardless of age. You must be the principal driver unless unable to drive, and you may register only one passenger vehicle or truck with a registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds this way.
Do I need insurance information on the MV-140?
Yes, except for trailers. Section C asks for the insurer, policy number and dates; the NAIC number is not required for acceptance. Self-insured applicants enter SELF-INSURED and their certificate number. A lapse in coverage could suspend registration privileges for three months.
What if my registration never arrives in the mail?
Complete Form MV-50, Application for Replacement of Never Received Product. PennDOT's instructions say you may apply for a free replacement within 90 days of the date of original issuance.
Ready to fill out MV-140?
Fill out MV-140 now