Top1) Determine the Status of Your Registration

Renew NJ Registration

Renewals take place annually for most drivers. If you bought a new car, you paid for your registration four years in advance; after that period expires, you start renewing it annually.

To legally operate your vehicle, you need to renew your registration on or before the expiration date. You must also make sure your insurance is updated. It’s a good time to check that your rates are as low as they could be, especially if you have had any changes to your driving record in the last year. You can shop for rates at our Insurance Center.

Go down to "Check Your Renewal Notice" to find out how to renew your registration.

Register a Vehicle in NJ for the First Time

If you’ve just bought a car or moved into the state, you ought to visit our Car Registration page instead to find out how to do a first-time registration.

Register a Non-Operational Vehicle

There is no non-operational designated registration. If you’re planning on storing your car, for whatever reason, you can either:

• Drop its insurance coverage and turn in the plates.

Or

• Maintain insurance coverage, keep the plates, and renew the registration, even if the vehicle is sitting in your garage.

Top2) Check Your Renewal Notice

Once a year, the state mails your renewal notice to the address on file. Your renewal notice tells you the expiration date and a PIN. You'll need this number to renew, unless you go in person.

Every two years, you'll need to have an emissions inspection, too. This will not be on your registration renewal notice; you'll have to look at the sticker on your windshield to find the date it's due.

Top3) Calculate Your Fees

The state provides a list of registration fees. Fees are based on weight, so they vary almost as much as insurance premiums.

Late Fees

If you forget and renew late, never fear. There are no late fees or penalties for renewing late. However, driving an unregistered vehicle is against the law, so you may get a citation.

Top4) Renew Online, In Person or By Mail

Renew Online

You can renew the registrations for all passenger vehicles, pleasure boats, motorcycles, and trailers under 55,000 pounds online.

1. Have your registration renewal notice ready with your PIN. You must provide it.
2. Have your insurance card ready; you’ll need to provide this information, too.
3. Know your Social Security number.
4. Have a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express) ready. A convenience fee also applies.
5. Visit MyMVC to being the online renewal process.

You'll receive your new registration stickers and receipt in the mail. If you want the materials to go to a different address than the one on file, the MVC provides an option for changing your address before you begin the online renewal process.

In Person

Renew in person if:

• Your renewal notice tells you to.

• You never got a renewal notice.

• You simply prefer to renew in person.

Once you're ready:

1. Locate your renewal notice, if you have it.
2. Write down or know your license plate number.
3. Have your Insurance Card ready. If you’re looking for a new company, visit our Insurance Center.
4. Have identification.
5. Have some way to pay: credit card (Visa, American Express, or MasterCard), cash, checks, or money orders.
6. Go to a MVC agency and begin the process.

By Mail

1. Locate your renewal notice to find out your fees.
2. Make out a check or money order for the correct amount.
3. Fill out the required information on the renewal form.
4. Your renewal notice came with an addressed envelope. Mail your notice and fees in this. If you don’t have the addressed envelope, mail your fees and paperwork to:
   • Motor Vehicle Commission
   • P.O. Box 16
   • Trenton, NJ 08666-0403

By Phone

1. Have your renewal notice and PIN ready.
2. Get out a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express).
3. Call (877) 368-6548 (877-DMV-NJ4U) and follow the prompts.

Top Affix Your Stickers

When your stickers arrive, follow the directions for application. You may have to remove your old stickers first.

Top6) Get a Tax Deduction

The IRS lets you deduct car registration fees only if they relate to the value of the car, not the weight. New Jersey goes by weight, so you won’t have this option available. Ask a tax attorney for more information.

Top7) Do Your Part to Keep Our Roadways Safe

If you’re like most people, you don’t think about how your car runs until it stops running. A little bit of maintenance will help you avoid many major repairs.

Rotate the tires regularly to make sure they wear properly, and replace them before they’re so worn down that they’re likely to break. Regular tune-ups and oil changes are important to keep your car running long and well.

In the event that your car does have a break-down, having a roadside assistance program, an after-market warranty, and a trusted mechanic already in place will make everything a lot less stressful. It could even save you money.

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