Sell a Motor Vehicle

Transfer ownership of your vehicle with the Certificate of Title.

When selling a motor vehicle, the owner must transfer ownership and cancel their registration. The new owner must then register the vehicle in their name.

How Do I … Sell a Motor Vehicle?

  • Gather What You’ll Need

  • Transfer Ownership of Your Vehicle

    Complete the form on the reverse side of the vehicle’s title in order to transfer ownership. Follow the instructions closely, and fill out the following information:

    • Purchaser’s full legal name as it appears on their driver’s license or identification card
    • Purchaser’s current address
    • Date of sale or ownership transfer
    • Odometer reading at the time of the transfer
    • Name and signature of the seller. If jointly owned, each seller must print and sign. If the seller is a company, include the name of the company, the name and signature of the company’s authorized agent, and print the agent’s position with the company after the signature.
    • Name and signature of the buyer. If jointly owned, each buyer must print and sign.
  • Next Steps

    • The title should be given to the vehicle’s new owner. Keep a copy of the transfer of ownership, including the Certificate of Title and any bill of sale, for your records.
    • The previous owner should keep the vehicle’s license plate and any tags. These do not transfer with the vehicle to its new owner. The previous owner can keep the license plates in their personal possession, transfer the license plate to a new vehicle, or surrender the license plate to the DOR for cancellation.
    • The previous owner should cancel the vehicle’s registration, then the vehicle’s insurance coverage.
    • The new owner should register the vehicle in their own name.

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