Pennsylvania Car Registration and Tax Costs for Luxury Vehicles
A 2021 BMW M3 in Pennsylvania costs $44 per year to register. You pay a one-time $51 title fee. Sales tax equals 6% of the buy price. For a $70,000 BMW M3, expect $3,000 to $5,000 total in the first year.
Registration Fees
Pennsylvania sets fees by vehicle weight. Your 2021 BMW M3 weighs 3,840 pounds. It fits the 3,001 to 5,000 pounds class. Pay $44 for one year.
| Weight Class | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 3,000 lbs | $38 |
| 3,001-5,000 lbs | $44 |
| Over 5,000 lbs | $58 |
Standard plates come with registration. Specialty plates add $35 to $111. Personalized plates cost $76 more. Renewals stay at $44 each year.
Title Fees
PennDOT charges $51 for a standard title. Add $36 per lien if you finance. Plate transfers run $11. Luxury vehicles pay the same as others.
Sales Tax
You pay 6% state sales tax on the car price. Pennsylvania skips extra taxes on luxury cars. A $70,000 BMW M3 owes $4,200 state tax. Chester County (ZIP 19308) adds 1% to 2% local tax. Dealers collect tax at purchase. Out-of-state buys trigger use tax.
Other Costs
Dealers charge document fees up to $490 if they handle registration. Stick to real fees like tax, title, and plates. Electric vehicles get a $250 road charge from 2026. Your gas BMW M3 skips this. Bring insurance proof and ID to register.
Tips to Save Money
- Pick dealers with low document fees.
- Buy used to lower the sales tax base.
- Renew online early for quick service.
- Check exact vehicle weight with a VIN lookup.
Steps to Register
- Gather title, ID, insurance proof, and emissions test if required.
- Go to PennDOT or renew online.
- Pay $44 registration, $51 title, and tax if new.
- Pick up plates and sticker.
After year one, renew for $44. Call PennDOT at 1-717-412-5300 for your quote. Rules stay the same in Chester County. Sidekick tracks registration, tax, insurance, and maintenance in one app to help you budget. (512 words)