NJ MVC Vehicle Registration

by | Nov 18, 2024 | Guides

NJ MVC Vehicle Registration

For our readers who live in New Jersey and want to register their vehicle, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) handles vehicle registration within the state. As with any state, registering your car isn’t just legally required, but it’s pretty important for the state, too. It allows the state to keep track of every vehicle operating on public roads, including making sure that they’ve been properly insured, have met emissions standards, and are safe to drive.

Plus, having that registration will also help you in case you get caught up in an accident or have your car stolen! So, remember to have your vehicle registration completed and updated at the NJ MVC. But… You might be asking… How do I register, what documentation do I need, or how much does a registration cost, anyhow? Welp, if this is your first time registering a vehicle in the state of New Jersey or if you need a refresher, here’s everything you need to know:

1) Is Your Vehicle Eligible For Registration?

First up, if you’ve just bought a vehicle or brought it across state borders, do you have to go to the NJ MVC to have your registration done? Here’s a quick TL;DR – not all drivers need to have their vehicle registered with the NJ MVC! However, for New Jersey residents who’ve bought a new vehicle or brought an out-of-state vehicle into New Jersey, you have to get it registered within 60 days of establishing residency. This 60-day deadline applies to most situations.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission also mandates that you have your car registered with them for anyone buying a vehicle from a private seller or a dealership, regardless of whether the car is new or used. The same rules also apply if you’ve had your vehicle financed, leased, or if it’s owned outright. It’s worth noting, though, that if you’re a student or are a military personnel living in New Jersey temporarily, you might be exempt, in some situations.

2) Documents Needed For Vehicle Registration With The NJ MVC

When you’re heading down to the NJ MVC to complete or update your vehicle registration, these are just some of the documents that you’d need to bring along with you:

  • Proof of Identification – This could be your New Jersey driver’s license, state ID, or any other state-recognized ID card.
  • Proof of Residency – You could use your utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, and any other documents that prove your New Jersey address and residency.
  • Vehicle Title – Of course, you’d also have to bring your vehicle title with you. This is essential in proving that you’re the owner of the vehicle. Alternatively, if you’re financing the vehicle, your lienholder might be able to provide an electronic copy.
  • Proof of Insurance – It’s worth remembering that the state of New Jersey requires a minimum liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. That said, ensure that you bring your insurance papers with you! Additionally, if you already have any other out-of-state policies, they might not meet New Jersey’s requirements, so make sure to have it verified that they comply with New Jersey’s vehicle insurance guidelines.
  • Vehicle Registration Application (Form BA-49) – This form specifically collects details about you and the vehicle that you’re registering. You could have this form filled out online – you can easily find it and download this form from the NJ MVC website – or when you are at the New Jersey MVC office.

3) How To Register Your Vehicle At The NJ MVC?

When you’re ready to head down to your local NJ MVC office and register your vehicle, here’s what you need to do:

  1. First off, be sure you gather and bring all the aforementioned documentation, and complete the Vehicle Registration Application (Form BA-49). Again, you can find and download the latter from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s website. Alternatively, you could just fill out this form once you’re at the MVC office.
  2. Next up, you’ll have to stop by a local MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission) office. While there are options for you to renew your vehicle registration online, first-time registrations have to be done in person. To find the nearest NJ MVC office, you could just use Google Maps, or refer to either the NJ MVC’s location directories or our own DMV office finder tool.
  3. Once you’re at the New Jersey MVC office, you can then submit all the documents, and pay all the necessary fees (more on that later), and if you have to, you might also have to get your vehicle inspected.
  4. Last but not least, you can finally receive your completed vehicle registration and license plates from the NJ MVC. When it’s time, down the line, that you have to renew your registration, you can check the New Jersey MVC’s website to find out if you’re eligible to have it done by mail or handled purely online. This ought to help you skip the queue when doing it in person.

4) NJ MVC Vehicle Registration Fees

Speaking of, here are all the registration fees that the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission might charge you. Remember that they will vary depending on the type and weight of your vehicle:

  • Passenger Vehicles – They start at around $46.50 for most passenger vehicles, though this will increase for heavier vehicles.
  • Motorcycles – Since motorbikes are lighter than passenger vehicles, you’ll incur a smaller registration fee, starting at around $25.
  • Commercial Vehicles – The fees for commercial vehicles vary wildly depending on their class (e.g. light-duty trucks vs heavy-duty trucks, by load capacity, specific use cases, etc.), but their fees will start at about $70. Although, heavy-duty trucks may start at several hundred dollars.
  • Sales Tax – With newly purchased vehicles, New Jersey imposes a 6.625% sales tax, based on the purchase price. Although, if you’ve bought a vehicle from a private seller, the sales tax is calculated based on the sale price or the vehicle’s fair market value, whichever is higher.

5) Some Other Fees To Consider

Elsewhere, here are some other fees and payments that might be charged by the NJ MVC, depending on the circumstance:

  • Title Transfer Fee – This isn’t relevant if you’re trying to register your vehicle. But, just in case, when the ownership of the vehicle changes – i.e. when you’re buying or selling a used car – the title transfer fee is generally around $60.
  • Inspection Fees – Most vehicles need to go through emissions testing before they can be legally registered to drive on public roads. That said, you’ll usually find that they’re already included in the registration fees for new registrations. Nonetheless, if your vehicle fails and it needs to go through re-inspections, they’ll incur additional fees. This could be anywhere from $20 to $50.
  • Late Renewal Fees – Remember that you have to renew your vehicle’s registration annually, most of the time. If you don’t get this done by the expiration date stated by the NJ MVC, you will have to pay a late fee. This generally starts at $15 and may increase depending on the length of the delay.
  • Fines For Unregistered Vehicles – If you’re driving around in an unregistered vehicle, these may lead to traffic citations. The fines range from $100 to $200, depending on the length of the expiration and the location where you’re cited. The local law enforcement might also opt to impound your vehicle, incurring even more fees in the process.