Frequently Asked Questions

Office hours and availability may vary by location and/or day. See the Office Locations and Hours listing for the office nearest you.

It varies depending on the vehicle. There is a $4.00 title fee; an $8.00 registration fee; plus an air quality research fee of $1.50; and a vehicle license tax (VLT) assessed in place of a personal property tax charged by other states. There may also be a weight fee and commercial registration fee, if the vehicle is registered as commercial.

The VLT is based on an assessed value of 60% of the manufacturer's base retail price reduced by 16.25% for each year since the vehicle was first registered in Arizona (15% before 8/1/98). Then, as of the Dec 1, 2000 reduction, the rate is calculated as $2.80 (new vehicles)/$2.89 (used vehicles) for each $100 of the assessed value. For example, for a new vehicle that costs $25,000, the first year assessed value would be $15,000 and the VLT would be $420.00. The second year the assessed value would be $12,562.50 and the VLT would be $363.06.

For a mobile home the title fee is $7.00 per section or unit. No other mobile home fees are payable to MVD.

$4.00

• Completed, signed title application (see # 6)
• Signed and notarized vehicle title (or manufacturer's certificate of origin, MCO, if new)
• Lien release, if applicable
• Emissions testing, if applicable
• All applicable title and registration fees (see #2).
• Any other documents that apply (power of attorney - original or certified copy, personal representative papers)
• If there is a lien on the vehicle that has not been paid off, written permission from the lienholder/lender will be required to add or delete a name.

• Completed, signed title application (see #6)
• Emission compliance form - Phoenix and Tucson areas only (see #7)
• Level I vehicle inspection, if out of state title and/or registration is missing (see #18)
• Out-of-state title (or registration, if title is held by lienholder)
• Out-of-state license plates
• Lien clearance, if applicable
• Power of Attorney from lessor (original or certified copy), if leased vehicle
• Payment of all applicable title and registration fees (see #2).

When ownership of the vehicle is in more than one name, the "Or, And, And/Or" box on the title application determines which signatures will be required to sell the vehicle or for other actions.

"OR" Legal Status – This ownership is a joint tenancy, with an expressed intent that either of the owners has full authority to transfer ownership of the vehicle, license plates and/or fees, or to record loan information.

The owners' names will appear on the title as in this example: JOHN DOE OR JOE ROSS

To transfer ownership of the vehicle, license plates and/or fees, or to record loan information, the signature of either party will be accepted. Both signatures are not required. If this legal status is chosen, all owners involved must sign in the Legal Status section.

"AND" Legal Status – This ownership is a tenancy in common.

The owners' names will appear on the title as in this example: JOHN DOE AND JOE ROSS

To transfer ownership of the vehicle, license plates and/or fees, or to record loan information, the signatures of both parties will be required. In the event of the death of either party, the interest of the deceased party must be handled by probate action, or by completing a Non-probate Affidavit.

"AND / OR" Legal Status – This ownership is a joint tenancy with right of survivorship.

The owners' names will appear on the title as in this example: JOHN DOE AND/OR JOE ROSS

To transfer ownership of the vehicle, license plates and/or fees, or to record loan information, the signatures of both parties will be required, if both are living. Upon proof of death, the survivor may sign alone.

The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for the emission testing program and laws. For more information contact the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality toll free 877-692-9227 (877-myazcar) or www.myazcar.com.

Requirements vary depending on your specific circumstances. Contact Us for details.

When an Arizona title is lost, mutilated or becomes illegible, you, the owner of record, may apply for a duplicate title. Owner name, legal status, lienholder and vehicle information must remain the same. Only the address and/or vehicle location address may be changed.

You must complete a Title and Registration Application, form # 96-0236, (see #6 for legal status explanation), check the appropriate box at the top of the form. Only one owner's signature is required, regardless of the number of owners or legal status.

You may submit the application at any MVD authorized Third Party office or by mail to Mail Drop 555M, Motor Vehicle Division, PO Box 2100, Phoenix AZ 85001-2100.

The fee is $4.00. (If payment is by check, make payable to Motor Vehicle Division.) Photo identification may be required for walk-in customers.

The mutilated or illegible title must be surrendered at the time of application, when available; it is not necessary for the owner to sign-off the back of the title.

When the record shows a lien, the duplicate title will be sent to the lienholder of record, unless you present a lien clearance or power of attorney from the first lienholder of record and there are no other liens present on the vehicle record.

Immediately contact the police for the city or town where it was stolen and file a stolen vehicle report.

Next, report the theft to your insurance company and work directly with them on any further actions needed.

If the vehicle was not insured at the time of the theft, be sure to hold onto your vehicle title. It will be needed if the vehicle is recovered. Also, you may be required to provide a copy of the police report to clear liability if any tickets, accidents, etc., occur after the theft.

If the vehicle is financed or leased, also report the theft to your finance or leasing company.

If the police recover your vehicle, make sure to notify your insurance, finance or leasing companies immediately.

You may report a stolen license plate to your local law enforcement agency. They will enter it on the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System. A replacement plate may be obtained at an MVD or authorized Third Party office (see Office Hours and Locations), or by mail.

If you visit an office, one form of identification is required, and you must have the plate number and/or vehicle identification number. A $5.00 fee will be charged. If the plate is personalized or another special plate that is not stocked in an office, the replacement plate will be mailed to you. A postage and handling charge will be required.

To handle this by mail, send a Plate Notice form # 48-3302, with a check or money order for $5.00, plus postage and handling; the replacement plate will be sent by mail (allow approximately three weeks).

Postage and handling: $3.11 for one full size plate (6" x 12"), $4.02 for two plates, $2.91 for small size plate (4" x 7"), $6.31 for full size copper plates (Classic Car, Historic Vehicle and Horseless Carriage) and $3.51 for Historic motorcycle plate.

Once a personalized plate is entered into Arizona Criminal Justice Information System, you are strongly urged to change your replacement plate by at least one character. Otherwise, if you choose to keep exactly the same plate characters, you will risk being stopped by law enforcement.

This may be completed at an MVD or authorized Third Party office or by mail. For walk-ins, one form of identification is required, and you must have the license plate and/or vehicle identification number. A $5.00 fee will be charged. To transact by mail, send a Plate Notice, with a check or money order for five dollars plus return first class postage and the replacement will be sent by mail.

You may apply for a duplicate vehicle registration online (major credit card) or at any MVD or authorized Third Party office. When you apply online the registration will print on your printer.

You may apply for a tab replacement online (major credit card) or at any MVD or authorized Third Party office. When you apply online, you will be mailed a replacement registration with a tab attached.

If you visit an office, a photo identification may be requested. If your registration has been lost or stolen and you have reason to believe someone else is using it, the incident should be reported to your local police department.

Remove the license plate and keep it for use on another vehicle. If you do not transfer that plate to another vehicle within 30 days, you must surrender the plate to an MVD or Third Party office, or submit an affidavit of plate destruction (Plate Notice, form #48-3302).

As the seller, you must sign off the back of the title (have your signature notarized) and give the title to the buyer. Complete a Sold Notice online, or fill in the back of the vehicle registration and mail it to the address indicated on the form.

When selling or trading a vehicle, there may be a plate credit available for refund. For more information, see Selling Your Vehicle.

If you do not have the license plate, submit a Plate Refund request online. As the seller, you must sign off the back of the title and have your signature notarized. Give the title to your insurance company so they can apply for a salvage title; or if you have sold it to a salvage yard, you must apply for the salvage title and give it to the salvage yard. Complete a Sold Notice online, or on the back of the Vehicle Registration and mail it to the address indicated.

If last registered within five years, provide the license plate and/or vehicle identification number and pay applicable fees. In most cases, a Registration Penalty Fee Waiver Request form # 48-9402 can be completed to waive the penalties if the vehicle has not been operated on any public roadway in Arizona. If your vehicle has not been registered within the last five years, additional procedures may be required. Contact Us to discuss any additional requirements.

If you bought the vehicle from a licensed dealer, the dealer will give you a Temporary Registration Plate that allows you to operate the vehicle for any purpose. If you purchased the vehicle from a private sale, you may obtain a Restricted Use 3-Day Permit which is valid only for the purposes of vehicle inspection, emission testing, repairs needed to comply with inspection or emission rules, or to otherwise complete the registration process. The Restricted Use 3-Day Permit can be obtained online at EZ Permit , or at any MVD or authorized Third Party office. In order to operate the vehicle for any other purpose, you must first complete the registration process. No more than three Restricted Use 3-Day Permits can be issued to any vehicle in a 12 month period.

First visit any MVD or authorized Third Party office to obtain a vehicle inspection. The additional steps needed to then complete the process vary with each situation. At the time of the inspection, we will provide you with a list of the specific actions and documentation required.

Level I – Basic inspection to match the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the vehicle ownership documents to determine the identity of the vehicle. This is required for all vehicles anytime there are no ownership documents. Most vehicles are successfully inspected and verified at this level. A Level I verification is conducted by an MVD or authorized Third Party employee or a designated peace officer. There is no fee for a Level I inspection conducted at an MVD office.

Level II – Secondary inspection is conducted when unusual circumstances indicate that a secondary VIN should be examined. A Level II inspection is conducted by a specially certified MVD agent. The fee is $20.

Level III – Highest level inspection is conducted by specially certified MVD agents for restored salvage vehicles, by appointment only. The fee is $50.

Abandoned Vehicle Inspections – Any law enforcement officer or authorized third party provider can provide an inspection on a vehicle abandoned on private property.

Additional fees may apply depending on the circumstances.

Complete a title application, have a Level II/III inspection conducted, obtain an emissions compliance certificate (if applicable), surrender the salvage title with the application and pay all required fees.

Level I inspections can be completed at any MVD or authorized Third Party office. Level II/III inspections are conducted at specific MVD offices in the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. Outside the metro area, Contact Us to obtain location information.

Abandoned Vehicle Inspections – Any law enforcement officer or authorized third party provider can provide an inspection on a vehicle abandoned on private property.

Use the same procedure as a title transfer (see #4). Pay a $4.00 title fee and an $8.00 registration fee, if the vehicle is currently registered. If there is a lien on the vehicle that has not been paid off, written permission from the lienholder/lender will be required to add or delete a name.

Complete a title application (including the lien information), submit with the most current title, pay a $4.00 title fee and obtain a lien release from the lienholder/lender (if applicable) with:

• A complete description of the vehicle (year, make, and vehicle identification number)
• The date the lien was paid in full
• A notation or stamp that indicates the lien is paid
• The full signature of the lienholder or the lienholder agent

To add or delete a name on your registration you must change your title. See #22.

This could be the result of money due to MVD, no insurance on file, or other issues. It is important that you verify that the vehicle identification number (VIN) on your vehicle matches the VIN identified on your registration and insurance documents. If the VIN on your insurance document does not match, ask your insurance company to resubmit the information using the correct VIN. You may use the online Insurance Verification to electronically check whether MVD has received notification of your most recent active insurance policy number. Contact Us for more information specific to your record.

A 30-Day General Use Registration is issued when you do not qualify for a permanent registration or other types of temporary permits. Only one 30-Day permit is allowed per vehicle within any twelve-month period. The permit is available online.

A 90 Day Resident Registration is generally for individuals who are missing paperwork necessary to transfer an out-of-state vehicle title or upon receipt of the 90 Day Waiver from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program; two consecutive 90 Day permits may be issued within a 12 month period.

A 30 Day General Use permit may be obtained online. Either permit may be purchased at any MVD or authorized Third Party office. The fee is $15.00.

You can purchase a 90 Day Nonresident Registration for $15.00 from an MVD or authorized Third Party office. You will be required to show your out-of-state identification and the dealer invoice or assigned title.

Only if you meet the privacy requirements in federal and state law for obtaining a Motor Vehicle Record. (See next)

A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) is the computer printout of a driving or vehicle record. The manner in which driver license or motor vehicle record information may be released is regulated by the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (or DPPA), 18 USC 2721-2725 and Title 28, Chapter 2, Article 5 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.

The DPPA requires you to have a "permissible use" for requesting and receiving an MVD record which contains personal identifying information (e.g., a person’s driver license photograph/image, social security number, driver license number, name, address and medical/disability information). The Motor Vehicle Record Request form lists those permissible uses.

If eligible, you can obtain and print a copy of a record online. You may also obtain a copy by completing a Motor Vehicle Record Request form # 46-4416 and submitting $3.00 for an uncertified record (3-year for driving record) or $5.00 for a certified record (5-year for driving record) by mail or at any MVD or authorized Third Party office. Your signature on the form must be notarized, or witnessed by an MVD agent.

You will not be charged a penalty fee, as long as your mail-in payment is postmarked (or Internet or phone renewal is completed) on or before the due date. Penalty fees for late payment are $8 for the first month and $4 for each additional month. If you do not receive your renewal notice before the end of the registration period, you must still renew your registration by the expiration date.

If your vehicle fails the initial or any subsequent emissions test you will not be charged a penalty fee for late registration renewal if the original test was before the registration expiration date and the registration renewal is postmarked (or Internet or phone renewal is completed) within 30 days of the original test.

Yes. If an emission test is not required you may renew up to 6 months before the expiration. If an emissions test is required, you may renew your registration up to 3 months before the expiration by showing your current registration at the test station.

Watercraft registration is the responsibility of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Please check out their website for forms and information on watercraft registration; boating rules and regulations, boating education and more.

To report a resident of Arizona for not being in compliance with Arizona registration laws, please call 1-800-657-4322 or make a report online.

A renewal notice form is automatically sent to you prior to the end of the five year certification period for a permanent disability placard. You may also complete a Placard Renewal/Replacement Request, form # 40-0112, have it notarized, then mail it to the address on the form. A new placard will be mailed to you. You may also visit any MVD or authorized Third Party office.

There is no fee to renew a disability placard.

Please see Plates and Placards for more information.

If you have questions whether you reside outside the vehicle emissions control areas of metro Phoenix or Tucson, you should contact the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at 602-771-3950 or visit www.myazcar.com for general information and maps.

Yes. It is not required that you have the renewal notice. Your current (or expired) registration document can be used.

You are not required to notify us. The other state should automatically send us notification. Until that is completed, you may receive notices from us regarding registration renewal and insurance verification.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department provides this information.

Arizona law in Title 28, Article 13 provides this information. If you have specific questions, contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Motorized Electric or Gas-Powered Bicycle or Tricycle – Generally operated at speeds of up to 20 mph, subject only to state and local requirement regarding safety equipment, does not meet National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards.

Title and Registration – No vehicle title or registration is issued.

Driver License – Does not require a driver license.

Emissions – Emissions testing is not required.

Insurance – Vehicle insurance is not required.

Moped – A bicycle (human-powered vehicle with pedals) with a 50 cc or less helper motor, 1.5 hp or less braking power and rated at maximum top speed of 25 mph (on a flat surface with less than a one per cent grade).

Title and Registration – Must be registered. No vehicle title is issued.

Driver License – Any class of driver license can be used.

Emissions – Emissions testing is not required.

Insurance – Vehicle insurance is required.

Motor-driven Cycle – A motorcycle originally manufactured to exceed 20 mph, rated at 5 hp or less, and not more than three wheels in contact with the ground. Includes motor scooters rated at 5 hp or less.

Title and Registration – Must be titled and registered.

Driver License – A motorcycle license or endorsement is needed.

Emissions – Emissions testing is not required.

Insurance – Vehicle insurance is required.

For purposes of this response, the term 5 hp generally refers to a motor with 49 cc to 80 cc displacement.

Any law enforcement officer or authorized third party provider can provide an inspection on a vehicle abandoned on private property.

Yes, but effective January 1, 2009, state law requires that “ARIZONA” (or “AZ” in the case of a small-size plate) at the top of Arizona license plates not be covered or otherwise obscured. Any license plate frame, holder or cover that prevents the license plate from being clearly legible, is in violation of the law.

Please see our Statistics page for vehicle or driver statistical data.

Please see our Five-Year Vehicle Registration FAQs

Emissions test results are immediately sent electronically to MVD, it is not necessary to wait after completing your emissions test before renewing online or by phone.

You can change your address online. You will be asked to provide your name, date of birth, and driver license or identification card number. Address changes are free. There is a $12.00 charge if you request a replacement driver license or identification card.

When you change your address on our records, it will automatically change the address on your driver license record and on each vehicle record where you are designated to receive the registration.

You can see how much you paid in vehicle registration fees for last year, including your vehicle license tax, by using the Vehicle Fee Recap online service. You can view your record and print it. This is a free service.

Note: This recap is provided for information only. If you are using it for tax purposes, consult your tax advisor.

Please see our Vehicle Registration Tax Exemptions page.

If the vehicle is registered only in the name of a trust, company or other organization, you will need the federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) or the MVD system-generated number assigned to that organization, in order to perform any online transaction (e.g., plate refund, duplicate registration). If you are personally listed on the registration, in addition to the organization, then you may be able to also use your driver license/ID card number.

Trailers registrations are determined by whether or not the trailer will be used for commercial purposes, and on the weight of the trailer (both as certified by the owner). A trailer may be eligible for a regular registration (one, two or five year) or a permanent registration.

Proof of ownership is not required for a homemade trailer less than $1,000 in value that is being titled for the first time. A registration from another state may be accepted as proof of ownership if that state does not title trailers.

A physical inspection is required for homemade trailers.

Permanent registration will be issued for the following:

• Noncommercial trailers with a declared gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 10,000 lbs or less (initial one-time $125 registration fee, reduced to $75 if converting a current commercial trailer registration to noncommercial)
• Trailers with a declared GVW of more than 10,001 lbs (one-time $800 registration fee). If previously registered in another state and the model year of the trailer is less than six years old (fee is reduced to $500), if at least six years old (fee is reduced to $195).

Permanent registration is a one-time fee and a PERM license plate tab is issued. There is no annual billing for vehicle license tax or registration fees. If the trailer has a special plate, only the fee for the plate will be billed annually.

The following are not eligible for permanent registration:

• Travel trailer or camper/tent trailer
• Commercial trailer with declared GVW of 10,000 pounds or less
• Historic trailer that is designed for commercial use, but is not used for commercial purposes

See #4 and #5 above for more information on titling and registering.

See Buying a pre-owned vehicle? Watch for liens!