Moving Out of State

Registration Refunds

Registration and licensing fees are typically non-refundable, unless you sell your vehicle before moving.

This refund application form includes a list of criteria for determining your refund status. If you're one of the lucky few, there's also an application to fill out. Take the completed application to any Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) location, or mail to:

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Management Operations Support
Refund Unit
P.O. Box 016
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0016

Surrendering Your Plates

New Jersey requires you to surrender inactive plates. You can surrender plates at any MVC location, but not at inspection centers.

A better approach might be to have your new registration and plates in hand, then cancel your New Jersey registration, and then mail your plates to:

• Motor Vehicle Commission

• Customer Advocacy Office

• P.O. Box 403

• Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0403

Make sure to keep the receipt. You'll need this to prove cancellation if you continue to get billed by the MVC in erorr.

Things to Do When You Move to a New State

• Apply for a new driver's license. After establishing residency most states require that this be done within a set amount of time, usually ranging between 30 and 60 days.

• Apply for a new registration. This too must be completed within a set amount of days after establishing residency.

• Apply for new license plates. This generally coincides with the registration process.

• Apply for a new vehicle title. Unlike the aforementioned, applying for a new title is rarely mandatory. You will need an updated title, however, if you ever sell your vehicle.

• Notify your insurance company of your move and provide a new address.