PennDOT MV-27A Form: PA Dealer Acquisition Notification Guide – Registered motor vehicle dealers in Pennsylvania must comply with strict reporting requirements when acquiring vehicles for resale. Form MV-27A, issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Bureau of Motor Vehicles, serves as the official weekly notification for vehicles obtained from another dealer or manufacturer. This guide provides current, accurate information for U.S.-based Pennsylvania dealers on the purpose, legal basis, completion steps, fees, submission methods, and retention rules for Form MV-27A (revision 2-25).
What Is PennDOT Form MV-27A?
Form MV-27A is titled “Weekly Notification of Dealer Acquisition Covering Vehicles Acquired for Resale from Another Dealer or Manufacturer.” It allows a registered Pennsylvania dealer to report acquisitions of vehicles held for resale without immediately applying for a new certificate of title. The form captures essential details including the acquiring dealer’s name, address, Dealer Identification Number (DIN)/Business Partner ID, vehicle identification numbers (VINs), dates of acquisition, odometer readings, and a certification statement.
The form must be completed in duplicate. One copy is submitted to PennDOT, and the dealer retains the other for records. Official instructions confirm that the report covers all qualifying vehicles acquired during the preceding seven calendar days.
Download the official Form MV-27A (PDF): Pennsylvania PennDOT MV-27A Form
Legal Requirement Under Pennsylvania Law
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 (Vehicles), Section 1113 governs transfers to or from a manufacturer or dealer. When a registered dealer or manufacturer acquires a vehicle and holds it for resale, a certificate of title application is not immediately required. Instead, the transferee must notify the department within seven days from the date of assignment of the certificate of title using a form prescribed by PennDOT—Form MV-27A for acquisitions from another dealer or manufacturer (Form MV-27B covers acquisitions from individuals).
Key statutory limits include:
- Notification in lieu of a title application may not be used for more than three consecutive transactions.
- A transferee must apply for a certificate of title no later than six months from the date of assignment.
- Violation of these provisions is a summary offense subject to a $50 fine per violation.
Dealers are strongly encouraged to use the electronic Dealer Agent System (DAS) for faster processing and payment options.
Who Must File Form MV-27A?
Any Pennsylvania-registered dealer or manufacturer that acquires a vehicle from another dealer or manufacturer and holds it for resale must file Form MV-27A. This applies to new and used vehicles obtained in wholesale or dealer-to-dealer transactions. The form is not used for vehicles acquired from private individuals (use MV-27B) or for repossessed vehicles under certain circumstances.
The acquiring dealer is responsible for timely notification. Failure to report within the seven-day window can result in penalties and complications when later transferring the vehicle to a retail buyer or another dealer.
How to Complete Form MV-27A?
Follow these steps carefully. Type or print all information clearly and do not skip line items:
- Enter the full legal name of the acquiring dealer, street address, city, state, and ZIP code.
- Provide the DIN/Business Partner ID number of the acquiring dealer.
- List the date of the report (month, day, year).
- For each vehicle (up to the available line items), record:
- Line item number
- Date of acquisition (numeric month/day/year)
- Complete Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Odometer reading at time of acquisition
- Indicate the selling dealer’s DIN/Business Partner ID where required.
- Calculate the total number of vehicles acquired and the total fee remitted.
- Sign the certification statement affirming that the listed vehicles were acquired and are held for resale during the past seven days. An authorized representative may sign.
Payment must accompany paper submissions by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Do not send cash.
Fees for Form MV-27A
A fee is required for each vehicle reported on the form. According to the current Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees (Form MV-70S) and official fee listings, the Dealer’s Notification fee is $6.00 per vehicle. Confirm the exact amount on the latest MV-70S available at pa.gov/dmv, as fees can be adjusted periodically.
When submitting electronically through the Dealer Agent System, payment can typically be made via ACH or credit card after approval.
Submission Methods and Deadlines
Two primary submission options exist:
- Preferred – Dealer Agent System (DAS): PennDOT strongly encourages online submission through the Dealer Agent Service portal. Electronic filing eliminates the need to mail a paper form and speeds processing. Instructions are available within the DAS help function.
- Mail: Send the original completed form weekly to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 68288
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8288
The seven-day deadline is measured from the date of assignment of the certificate of title. Weekly batching of all acquisitions from the prior seven calendar days is the standard practice.
Record Retention Requirements
The acquiring dealer must retain a copy of Form MV-27A (or the electronic equivalent) for at least one year after a subsequent transfer of the vehicle. The retained copy, together with a copy of the assigned certificate of title, must be available for inspection by any police officer or authorized PennDOT employee upon request.
Related Forms and Best Practices
Form MV-27A works in conjunction with other dealer documents:
- Form MV-27 – Dealer Assignment Covering a Vehicle Acquired and Held for Resale (used with older Pennsylvania titles).
- Form MV-27B – Weekly Notification for vehicles acquired from individuals (non-dealers).
- Title applications (MV-1 or MV-4ST) when the three-transaction limit or six-month limit is reached, or when selling to a retail customer.
Best practices for Pennsylvania dealers include:
- Register for and regularly use the Dealer Agent System.
- Track acquisition dates carefully to meet the seven-day rule.
- Maintain organized digital or paper files of all MV-27A submissions and supporting title assignments.
- Verify current fees on Form MV-70S before each submission.
- Contact PennDOT at 717-412-5300 (TTY 711) or visit www.pa.gov/dmv for the latest guidance.
Conclusion
Timely and accurate filing of PennDOT Form MV-27A is a fundamental compliance obligation for Pennsylvania motor vehicle dealers acquiring inventory from other dealers or manufacturers. By understanding the seven-day notification requirement under Title 75 § 1113, using the preferred electronic Dealer Agent System, paying the $6 per-vehicle fee, and retaining records for at least one year, dealers can avoid penalties and maintain smooth title and registration processes.
Always download the most current version of the form directly from the official source and consult the latest fee schedule. For the official downloadable PDF of Form MV-27A, use the link provided earlier in this article.