PennDOT Form MV-373 Out-of-State Leasing Company Bond – Out-of-state vehicle leasing companies that want to conduct business related to motor vehicles in Pennsylvania must meet specific bonding requirements set by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Form MV-373, the Out-of-State Leasing Company Bond, is the official surety bond document required for designation as an authorized out-of-state leasing company. This form protects the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and consumers by ensuring compliance with state laws governing fees, sales tax, and related monetary obligations.
This guide provides current, accurate information drawn from official PennDOT sources to help leasing companies, sureties, and their agents understand and complete the MV-373 process correctly.
What Is PennDOT Form MV-373?
Form MV-373 is a continuous surety bond issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). It binds the principal (the out-of-state leasing company) and a qualified surety company to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the amount of $10,000. The bond guarantees that the leasing company will comply with Pennsylvania laws and regulations while operating in its official capacity and will not cause monetary loss to the Commonwealth related to fees, sales tax, or monetary penalties.
The current version of the form is MV-373 (3-25), last updated in March 2025. It is available exclusively through official PennDOT channels.
Download the official Form MV-373 here: Pennsylvania PennDOT Form MV-373 PDF.
Who Needs to File Form MV-373?
Any leasing company headquartered outside Pennsylvania that seeks designation as an Out-of-State Leasing Company with PennDOT must submit this bond. This designation allows the company to handle title, registration, and related transactions for leased vehicles involving Pennsylvania residents or operations within the Commonwealth.
Typical scenarios include national or regional lessors that title vehicles in Pennsylvania on behalf of lessees or that manage registration renewals and documentation for Pennsylvania-based customers. Without a valid MV-373 bond on file, the company cannot receive or maintain the required authorization.
Bond Amount and Key Requirements
The required bond amount for an Out-of-State Leasing Company is fixed at $10,000. According to the form instructions:
- The bond must be maintained at the full required amount at all times with no exceptions.
- If the bonded amount falls below $10,000 at any point, the Principal’s authorization to operate becomes void.
- The bond is continuous in nature.
- The surety must be a corporation authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and must maintain a Pennsylvania main office address.
If the leasing company has branch offices, these must be listed on the form or on an attached sheet. The bond covers all transactions conducted under the Commonwealth’s authorization.
How to Complete and Submit Form MV-373?
The form requires the following information:
- Out-of-State Leasing Company Number (if already assigned)
- Bond Number
- Full legal name and physical address of the Principal (leasing company), including city, state, ZIP code, and county
- Full legal name, address, telephone number, and state of incorporation of the Surety company
- Pennsylvania main office address of the Surety
- Signatures of authorized representatives for both Principal and Surety, along with titles and dates
- Surety company seal
- List of any branch offices
If the bond is executed under a power of attorney, a copy of the power of attorney must be attached, and its date must be the same as or prior to the date on page one of the bond.
Completed bonds are submitted to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Regulated Client Services Section, Riverfront Office Center, 1st Floor, 1101 S. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2516.
Cancellation and Notice Requirements
The surety must provide at least 60 days’ written notice to both the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Manager of the Regulated Client Services Section at the Harrisburg address above) and the Principal before canceling or non-renewing the bond. Cancellation does not take effect until at least 60 days after proper notice is given.
Claims Process Under the MV-373 Bond
In the event of a claim:
- The Surety must hold all claims in abeyance for a 90-day period beginning on the date the Commonwealth files a claim or the date the Surety notifies the Commonwealth of a private claim.
- Notification of private claims must be sent to the Regulated Client Services Section Manager and must include the claimant’s name, reason for the claim, and amount claimed.
- At the end of the 90-day period, the Commonwealth has priority and is paid in full before any private claimants. Remaining funds (if any) are distributed pro rata among private claimants.
- Claims filed after the 90-day period are paid from any remaining bond amount on a first-filed, first-paid basis.
The Commonwealth may assign its interest in the bond to any claimant and may release the Surety from liability to the Commonwealth in such cases.
Important Legal Provisions
The bond includes a confession-of-judgment clause authorizing attorneys of record to confess judgment against the Principal and/or Surety in favor of PennDOT (or assigned parties) without stay of execution. It also waives certain exemptions and appraisement rights to the extent permitted by law.
Pennsylvania statutes authorize PennDOT to collect fees for returned checks and other administrative costs associated with enforcement.
Where to Obtain Additional Information and Related Forms?
Always use the most current official version of Form MV-373 available on the Pennsylvania government website. Related resources include:
- PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services official website
- Form MV-70S – Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees
- Form MV-1L – Application for Lessee Information (frequently used in conjunction with leased vehicle title and registration transactions)
For questions regarding designation as an Out-of-State Leasing Company or bond filing, contact the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Regulated Client Services Section.
Why Compliance Matters for Out-of-State Leasing Companies?
Maintaining a valid MV-373 bond is a mandatory condition of authorization. Failure to keep the bond in force at the required $10,000 level immediately voids the company’s ability to operate under Pennsylvania regulations. This can disrupt title processing, registration renewals, and other essential services for Pennsylvania lessees and expose the company to financial and operational risks.
By filing Form MV-373 correctly and keeping the bond active, out-of-state leasing companies demonstrate compliance, protect their business operations in Pennsylvania, and provide assurance to both the Commonwealth and their customers.