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jiwonstr
Sep 2, 2008, 07:18 AM
Hi,

I have MA license plate but currently living in PA. My vehicle inspection expired yesterday (August 08) and need to get new one. Can I just go into any PA inspection site and replace it with PA sticker?

I don't think I'll be back in MA for awhile, but I may be moving to California soon for job relocation. If that happens I'm going to sell my car here and get a new one at CA.

What are your advise on vehicle inspection at PA? I looked at DMV.PA but couldn't find any relevant information.

Can you guys help?

Bowtie_Barbie
Sep 2, 2008, 07:32 AM
You can get a sticker in PA, Im almost positive... But as far as your registration/plate they will need to be changed over after a certain amount of time... The time spand is different in different areas so you'll have to look that up for PA... Same for when you move to CA...

smearcase
Sep 2, 2008, 09:51 AM
I live in PA and I would be very surprised if you can get a PA inspection with any plates other than PA. As part of the inspection, they check your registration and insurance certification and the insurance has to comply with PA law and be on a PA insurance format.
I think you have two choices, get a PA registration, insurance and inspection, or get a valid inspection sticker from MA.
I have read posted here, people say they were ticketed in another state for having an expired inspection sticker for the state in which the car was registered. In other words, a PA trooper may give you a ticket for MA inspection expired. There is also a time limit on how long you can be in PA and not have PA tags. They want the revenue.

Bowtie_Barbie
Sep 2, 2008, 01:04 PM
I guess it varies by state... I live in a military town and they allow you to have different stickers... There are 50 states worth of drivers here and maybe they're just more lenient... They don't care where its inspected just that you've had it done... But again like I said after a certain amount of time all your info must match up... Getting a sticker in PA for the moment would just be temporary if possible...

Fr_Chuck
Sep 2, 2008, 02:19 PM
Unless you are IN the military you have 30 days to get a new license plate upon moving to your new state. After that point, you can be ticketed for invalid registeration.

smearcase
Sep 2, 2008, 03:43 PM
PA is 20 days after establishing residence to obtain vehicle registration and 60 days to obtain PA driver's license according to this PA DOT link.

PENNDOT Driver and Vehicle Services - New Residents (http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/new_residents/motor_vehicle.shtml)

Bowtie_Barbie
Sep 3, 2008, 07:53 AM
But again like I said after a certain amount of time all your info must match up...


Yeah I figured it was about a month or so... but whatever the time length may be jiwonstr I would go and get everything done in PA and then worry about CA when you get there... If you just do it now, it will probably save you a few headaches down the road... literally... :)

Hope we mightve helped you a little...