(a) General rule.--Except as provided in section 1102 (relating to vehicles not requiring certificate of title), every owner of a vehicle which is in this Commonwealth and for which no certificate of title has been issued by the department shall make application to the department for a certificate of title of the vehicle.
(b) Registration without certificate prohibited.--The department shall not register or renew the registration of a vehicle unless a certificate of title has been issued by the department to the owner or an application for a certificate of title has been delivered by the owner to the department.
(c) Penalty.--Failure to obtain a certificate of title as required by law is a summary offense.