Moving To New Jersey

 

Your License

If you have recently moved to New Jersey, you must transfer your out-of-state license and vehicle title/registration within 60 days of your move, or before your current license and vehicle registration expires, whichever occurs first.

To transfer your out-of-state license (21 and over)

  • Schedule an appointment at a motor vehicle license center with a current, valid driver’s license in good standing and the proper legal documents to pass the 6 Points of ID requirements.

    • Commercial Driver License (CDL) transfers are required to submit a valid Medical Certificate and any necessary fingerprint documents at time of transfer.
  • Purchase a transfer permit ($10 for motorcycle, auto or CDL; $5 additional for motorcycle endorsement on auto license).
  • Knowledge and road tests are waived (Hazmat endorsement holders must take the written test) so long as you have a current, valid, non-provisional driver’s license that is in good standing issued by any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories of American Samoa and Guam, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    • All CDL holders must pass an eye test.
  • You will be issued a four-year New Jersey license (fee information); and, you will be required to surrender your out-of-state license

We are required to capture a customer’s full face when taking a picture for a driver license or non-driver ID card; therefore we need to be able to see from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin.  If you have a medical or religious need to wear a head covering in your photo, please advise the MVC staff at the agency camera station.

Under 21

If you are under age 21 and do not already hold an unrestricted driver license from your previous state, you must complete the mandatory Graduated Driver License (GDL) program requirements.  New Jersey’s GDL program introduces driving privileges gradually to first-time drivers and applicants under the age of 21.

Non-citizen

If you are not a U.S. citizen and have recently moved to New Jersey, you must have temporary visa status.  More information is available on the noncitizens page.

Non-driver Identification (ID) card

If you do not currently have an out-of-state or New Jersey driver’s license, you may obtain a non-driver identification (ID) card.

We are required to capture a customer’s full face when taking a picture for a driver license or non-driver ID card; therefore we need to be able to see from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin.  If you have a medical or religious need to wear a head covering in your photo, please advise the MVC staff at the agency camera station.

Your Vehicle

Under New Jersey law, you must transfer your vehicle title and registration (with or without a lien) within 60 days. To do this:

  • Visit a motor vehicle agency with your proof of identification, original title, and insurance information.
  • If your vehicle is financed or leased, you must visit a motor vehicle agency to complete an application to release the title. The lien holder or leasing company will then send the title to the MVC and you will be notified when you can return to continue the process.
  • Complete the Auto Title Lien Release Form for Those with no Lien Release in NJMVC's System (Form OS/ SS-54).
  • Complete an Universal Title Application (Form OS/SS-UTA) and a Vehicle Registration Application (Form BA-49). If the vehicle is owned by a business, you must apply for an Entity Identification Number (EIN – formerly CorpCode),
  • Pay the transfer title and appropriate registration fee**:
    • $60 for standard vehicle.
    • $85 for financed vehicle with one lien (all lien holders and leasing companies must have an EIN).
    • $110 for a financed vehicle with two liens.
    • Tax will not be charged if you are eligible for a sales tax exemption.
      • Vehicle was purchased, titled and registered in another state while the purchaser was a non-resident of New Jersey.
    • **additional fees may be incurred if you choose any of these dedicated plates.

Related Vehicle Title Information

Titles without liens will be given to the customer (unless the mailing address is a P.O. Box, in which case the title is held for 10 days, then mailed to the customer) along with their license plates, registration card, and temporary inspection card.

Titles with liens and titles for leased vehicles will be mailed to the leasing company or lien holder.  In this case the customer is given a title receipt, vehicle registration, license plates, and temporary inspection card.
If you are transferring from a state that does not issue titles, refer to the guidelines for transfer.

To transfer a vehicle from out-of–country, refer to foreign vehicle instructions.