PennDOT Form MV-27B: PA Dealer Acquisition Guide – Pennsylvania PennDOT Form MV-27B, officially titled “Weekly Notification of Dealer Acquisition Covering Vehicles Acquired for Resale from an Individual (Non-Dealer),” is a required report for registered motor vehicle dealers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This form allows dealers to notify the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Bureau of Motor Vehicles of vehicles purchased from private individuals (non-dealers) that are being held for resale.
Unlike title transfer applications, Form MV-27B serves as a notification in lieu of immediately applying for a new certificate of title when a dealer acquires a vehicle for inventory. It helps PennDOT maintain accurate records of vehicle ownership changes and supports compliance with state vehicle laws.
The current version of the form is MV-27B (1-25). No fee is required when submitting this form.
Legal Requirement Under Pennsylvania Law
Under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 75 § 1113 (Transfer to or from manufacturer or dealer), when a registered dealer acquires a vehicle for resale, the dealer must notify PennDOT within seven days from the date of assignment of the certificate of title. This notification is made using the prescribed form—MV-27B for acquisitions from individuals (non-dealers) or the related Form MV-27A for acquisitions from other dealers or manufacturers.
Key provisions include:
- Notification must occur within seven calendar days of acquisition.
- Notification in lieu of applying for a certificate of title cannot exceed three consecutive transactions; after that, a title application is required.
- A dealer must apply for a certificate of title no later than six months from the date of assignment.
- The dealer must retain a copy of the notification (and the assigned title) for at least one year and make it available upon request by law enforcement or PennDOT officials.
Failure to comply can result in penalties and potential issues with future title transfers or dealer licensing.
Who Must File Form MV-27B?
Only Pennsylvania-registered motor vehicle dealers who acquire vehicles from private individuals (non-dealers) for the purpose of resale are required to file Form MV-27B. This includes:
- Licensed new and used vehicle dealerships
- Dealers purchasing trade-ins or private-party vehicles for inventory
Vehicles acquired from another dealer or manufacturer use Form MV-27A instead. Form MV-27B is not used for vehicles that are repossessed or for assignments involving miscellaneous motor vehicle businesses in certain restricted cases.
How to Complete PennDOT Form MV-27B?
The form must be completed accurately. Official instructions state to type or print all information and not skip item lines. Complete the form in duplicate if mailing a paper copy.
Dealer Information Section:
- Name of Acquiring Dealer
- Street Address, City, State, and Zip Code
- DIN/Business Partner ID# of the Acquiring Dealer
- Date of the Report (Month, Day, Year)
Vehicle Information (up to 20 line items per form):
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- First seven letters of the last name (or business name) of the original title holder
- Line Item Number
- Date of Acquisition (numeric format: Month, Day, Year)
- Odometer Reading
Certification:
The acquiring dealer or authorized representative must sign the certification statement confirming that the listed vehicles were acquired and are held for resale during the past seven days.
How and Where to Submit Form MV-27B?
PennDOT strongly encourages electronic submission through the Dealer Agent System (DAS) portal at www.dealers.penndot.gov. Entering the information online eliminates the need to mail a paper form and streamlines processing.
If submitting by mail:
- Mail the original completed form weekly to:
Bureau of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 68288
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8288
A copy must be retained by the dealer for at least one year, whether the form is submitted electronically or by mail.
For detailed DAS instructions, dealers can use the Help function within the portal after logging in. PennDOT Bulletin 24-18 (August 2024) provides additional guidance on using DAS for MV-27A and MV-27B transactions.
Download the Official PennDOT Form MV-27B
Download the current official Form MV-27B (PDF) directly from the Pennsylvania government website:
Download PennDOT Form MV-27B PDF
Always use the latest version available on the official PennDOT or PA.gov website to ensure compliance with current requirements.
Related Forms and Best Practices for Pennsylvania Dealers
Dealers should also be familiar with related forms:
- Form MV-27A – Weekly Notification for vehicles acquired from another dealer or manufacturer
- Form MV-27 – Dealer Assignment Covering a Vehicle Acquired and Held for Resale (used with older Pennsylvania titles)
- Form MV-38D – Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title by a Registered Dealer (often requires a copy of MV-27A or MV-27B)
Best practices:
- File notifications weekly for all private-party acquisitions within the seven-day window.
- Keep organized records of titles, bills of sale, and notification copies for at least one year.
- Use the DAS portal whenever possible for faster processing and reduced paperwork.
- Monitor the three-transaction limit and six-month title application requirement to avoid compliance issues.
- Contact PennDOT Dealer Services or the DAS support team ([email protected] or 717-783-1062) for questions about electronic filing.
Why Accurate MV-27B Filing Matters for USA Dealers?
Proper and timely filing of Form MV-27B protects Pennsylvania dealers from potential penalties, supports clean title chains for future buyers, and maintains good standing with PennDOT. For dealerships operating in Pennsylvania or handling PA-titled vehicles, understanding this form is essential for smooth inventory management and regulatory compliance.