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New Jersey Guide

Titling a Car in New Jersey After Moving From Another State

Last verified: October 2026 against NJ MVC and Division of Taxation sources

New residents must transfer their vehicle title and registration within 60 days of moving to New Jersey (120 days during a Public Health Emergency).

A vehicle you bought, titled, and registered in another state while you lived there is exempt from New Jersey sales tax.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Get New Jersey insurance

    Arrange New Jersey insurance before you visit, and bring the card or policy details.

  2. 2

    Fill out the forms

    Complete the Universal Title Application (OS/SS-UTA) and the Vehicle Registration Application (BA-49). A financed or leased vehicle also needs Form OS/SS-54.

  3. 3

    Visit a motor vehicle agency

    Bring your ID (usually your driver’s license), the original title, and your insurance information. Schedule an appointment first.

  4. 4

    Pay the title and registration fees

    The title is $60, or $85 with one lien. Registration is $46.50 under 3,500 lbs and $71.50 over, or $59 and $84 for model years within 2 years. Zero emission vehicles add the statutory annual fee, which works out to $270 for July 2026 to June 2027.

  5. 5

    Follow the temporary inspection card

    You receive a temporary inspection card with your plates and registration. The MVC’s inspection pages explain the next step.

What to bring

  • Driver’s license or other ID
  • Original out-of-state title
  • New Jersey insurance information
  • Universal Title Application (OS/SS-UTA)
  • Vehicle Registration Application (BA-49)
  • Form OS/SS-54, if the vehicle is financed or leased

Estimate your New Jersey costs

Enter $0 as the price to see the title and registration fees. A vehicle bought, titled, and registered in another state while you lived there owes no New Jersey sales tax.

Open the full New Jersey calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in New Jersey.

51 Jurisdictions Active
New Jersey 6.625% tax base
$
7 years old
Standard Passenger
New Jersey tag options
1-Year Term (New Jersey registers for one year)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $25.00
New Jersey: Non-Deductible
$

New Jersey Notice: New Jersey taxes the full agreed vehicle price. Trade-ins do not reduce the tax base on private-party sales.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

New Jersey

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,100.25

Sales/Excise Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (6.625%)

Calculated at 6.625% on taxable base of $15,000

$993.75
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$60.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags

$46.50

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New Jersey rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission or the Division of Taxation.

Sales tax is 6.625% of the price you paid. The Division of Taxation’s Casual Sales Unit may question a price well below market value and use NADA values if you do not respond.

There is no trade-in credit on a private sale. Swapping vehicles is taxed on fair market value.

Registration shown uses MVC’s weight classes and the higher fee for model years within 2 years. The $270 zero emission vehicle fee is worked out from the statutory schedule ($250 in July 2024 plus $10 a year), not a figure the MVC publishes.

New Jersey’s sources do not say whether its electric vehicle fee applies to motorcycles, so the estimate leaves it out for a motorcycle. Confirm with the MVC.

County & Local Tax Note: New Jersey’s 6.625% sales tax is the same statewide; there is no local vehicle sales tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NJ MVC and Division of Taxation process.

60 days to transfer your title and registration, or 120 days during a Public Health Emergency.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with NJ MVC and Division of Taxation before you go.

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How to Title a Private Car Sale in New JerseyThe signed title, BA-49, the 10-day deadline, and 6.625% sales tax.How to Gift a Car in New JerseyWriting GIFT on the title, loans, and the transfer paperwork.
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