Before you can sell a vehicle, you’re going to need the right paperwork. A smooth vehicle sale can crumble if you don’t have certain documents ready. So without further ado, here are the 6 documents you need to sell a vehicle and properly transfer the title:
The vehicle title is a legal document issued by the DMV that states the current owner of the vehicle, the vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, and model. A vehicle title cannot be bought from a company or downloaded online, it is a legal document provided by the DMV agency in your state.
On the back of every title is the section for the current owner to transfer ownership. Make sure to complete the transfer in its entirety, with all of the details, and the appropriate signature. Do not sign a blank title. Signing a blank title is considered an “open title” and is illegal. Be sure to examine the title transfer section carefully as some states also require the buyer’s signature. Ensure all signatures are valid and present before parting with the document. Before handing the signed title over to the new owner, make sure to take a photo of the front and back for your records. In case you need to prove you sold the vehicle, this can be used as evidence.
The bill of sale is the receipt proving you’ve sold the vehicle. It also determines the conditions of the sale, 30-day warranty, as-is, etc. The format of the bill of sale is determined by the rules of the states where the vehicle is to be titled. Each state has its own requirements for a bill of sale, however, they’re very similar. Even if your state doesn’t have specific requirements for a bill of sale, we highly recommend that you still write one up. The buyer will still need this document when it comes time to transfer the title. Always make a copy of the bill of sale for your records before finishing the transaction.
The federal and state governments require that at the time of sale, the mileage of the vehicle is recorded. Make sure to be as precise as possible and to properly execute this document. Some odometer statements will require a local Sheriff to inspect the vehicle’s odometer to verify the number. If you’re unsure of the mileage, be sure to note there is an odometer discrepancy on the document in the proper section.
If there is a lien against the vehicle, typically meaning if the vehicle was financed, you’ll need to obtain a lien release letter before you can sell the vehicle. A vehicle title cannot be transferred if there is a lienholder listed as a security interest on the title. If the lienholder is no longer interested in pursuing the vehicle, they may opt to send a letter of non-interest instead.
Every time ownership is transferred, a new title is issued. To obtain a new title, the buyer will need to submit a new state title application for their state. Locate the state’s new title application and prepare it with vehicle information for your buyer, along with any other necessary information. This isn’t required, but it allows for a smoother sales process and ensures all details needed from you are provided. Additionally, some states are now requiring the seller to sign the state’s new title application. Be sure to check the laws of the state where the vehicle is being transferred to ensure all boxes are checked.
The notice of sale is an often overlooked part of selling a vehicle. When you sign the title over to the new owner, it doesn’t automatically change anything in the DMV’s records. You will be listed as the owner of the vehicle until the buyer transfers the title or you submit a notice of sale. It’s imperative to submit a notice of sale rather than waiting for the buyer to do it because until you do, you are liable for anything the vehicle does, even though it’s out of your possession. To the DMV, you’re still the owner and the person who is liable. Each state has its own time frame to submit this document, ranging from 5 days-60 days.
When selling a vehicle, always take the necessary steps to protect yourself. With a little bit of research, you can put yourself at ease, knowing that you have everything you need.
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Order Vermont Title LoopholeOrder Deceased Owner Title TransferOrder Bonded Title ProcessOrder Abandoned Vehicle ProcessOrder Prior Owner ContactOrder Lien Release Request LetterPGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmFjdWl0eXNjaGVkdWxpbmcuY29tL3NjaGVkdWxlLnBocD9vd25lcj0xOTQ4ODEyNiZhcHBvaW50bWVudFR5cGU9MjMwNjY0MTAiIHRpdGxlPSJTY2hlZHVsZSBBcHBvaW50bWVudCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iODAwIiBmcmFtZUJvcmRlcj0iMCI+PC9pZnJhbWU+PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZW1iZWQuYWN1aXR5c2NoZWR1bGluZy5jb20vanMvZW1iZWQuanMiIHR5cGU9InRleHQvamF2YXNjcmlwdCI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+
So there’ve been various delays in vehicle title issuing, and here’s a really good example of how and why it might take longer than usual to get a vehicle title.
From South Dakota, there’s a news article where vehicle owners may find themselves waiting a long time for printed titles. Why is that? Well, the South Dakota Department Of Revenue, which handles motor vehicles, will no longer be printing paper titles due to paper supply issues. Often people will think that title certificates are just printed on blank paper. The problem is the paper used for titles has built-in security features just like paper money to prevent fraud. The printing is said to resume sometime in February of 2023. Well if you’re a vehicle owner and you need a title, how’s that gonna work out for you?
Remember a title certificate is not a document just printed on blank paper. It’s printed on security paper just like paper money or another certified document. The reason these documents are so secure is that whoever has their name on the title is the legal owner of the vehicle. So if a vehicle is worth $10,000, a vehicle title certificate with your name on it is the equivalent of a $10,000 bill. In addition, you can’t buy one from a company, you can’t download one from the internet in the same way you can’t buy or download a hundred-dollar bill. It’s something that is a security instrument issued by a government agency. If the government agency can’t get you one for four or five months, you’re not going to get one somewhere else if you live in South Dakota.
So if you need a vehicle title and you’re in South Dakota, you may be in for a long delay. You do want to get your application in because they’re going to print them in the order they were received, but a vehicle title certificate is a legal government document issued only by a government agency. You can’t buy one from the internet. You can’t download one from the internet. You have to get it from a government agency.
Having the knowledge to properly transfer a vehicle title from one person to another is crucial when purchasing or selling a vehicle. A successful transfer of title is necessary for completing the transaction, as well as an unsuccessful one, which may result in DMV denial. A vehicle title, also known as a certificate of title or car title, is the most significant car-related document because it assigns legal ownership. The individual whose name appears on the front of the title is considered to be the only owner of record with the DMV. A successful transfer of car ownership must be accomplished by filling out the necessary forms and paying the DMV processing fees and taxes.
The first step in transferring a vehicle title is obtaining the current title from the seller. Before you pick up the vehicle, the seller must be the previous owner or be present. The watermarks, background patterns, and scrollwork on the front of the title should be difficult to reproduce; the title should also include the current owner’s name and the year of issue. When you sign over a vehicle title, make sure that the person transferring ownership is the person listed on the vehicle title document. The back of the certificate designates ownership.
When purchasing a vehicle, make sure that the VIN plate and vehicle specifications are consistent with the information on the certificate of title supplied by the seller. In addition, only the owner listed on the front of the certificate of title may relinquish ownership to the buyer. If you are buying from a private individual, make sure to examine the photo ID to guarantee that this person is also the legal owner. Purchasing a car with an erroneous title or from someone other than the legal owner will cause you serious problems with the DMV.
After you’ve verified the accuracy of the car’s title and the identity of the seller, sign the back of the vehicle title. The seller transfers ownership on the back of the car title. Also, be sure to have a purchase receipt, also known as a bill of sale, to verify that you have acquired the automobile from its previous owner appropriately.
Every state has its own title and registration application as well as fees. You’re ready to officially transfer your car title now. You may find state motor vehicle division or secretary of state websites where you can apply for a title and registration. Many applications can be submitted via mail. The fees due will vary by state according to sales tax requirements and tiered fees for different types of vehicles, in addition to sales tax requirements.
Make sure you have the following items when you arrive at the DMV:
It’s important to keep your title free of damage and theft, as it is the most essential document a vehicle can have. Do not keep your vehicle title in your vehicle; it should be kept safe. By transferring your car title into your name, you will preserve your property. If you lose your vehicle title after it has been printed by the DMV with your name on it, you may apply for a duplicate title. However, if the previous owner signs the original title prior to the DMV printing a new one, you will not be eligible for a new one. Only the owner in the DMV system may request a title, and if you didn’t transfer it, it won’t be in your name.
Here’s sometimes an overlooked factor of electric vehicles that might be worth considering for your purchase or maybe even use and lifestyle for an EV.
An electric vehicle is different than a gas vehicle in that when you go to recharge it or refuel it, you don’t pull into a gas station and pop back out. You know fill it up in two or three minutes and leave. With an EV, you’re locked into that EV charging station for a long time sometimes an hour or more. It’s bad enough when you pull into a gas station that is just a little bit of a risk factor.
There are a lot of robberies and crime that occurs in gas stations because thieves and criminals know that you’re going to be stopped and sometimes they’ll reach into the other side of your car and hopefully, you leave it unlocked for their sake and grab your purse or grab your wallet or grab something of value out of the car or even carjack you because you step out of the car to put the gas in. And sometimes that’s their opportunity to do this but you’re only there for a few minutes, five minutes at the most. With electric vehicles, you’re stuck there plugged in where you can’t just drive away for an hour or more.
What happens if you’re in an EV charging station, your car is plugged in, and a thief comes up to the window with a gun or starts banging on your car? What are you going to do? You’re known to be stopped there for an hour and a smart thief will take advantage of this opportunity and maybe use it for criminal intentions. What if they block you in and they don’t let you leave, or if they start banging on your window or smashing your window to grab something out of your car you can’t just turn on the car and drive away? You’re locked in with a cord, you’re tied into that place.
And this is something that was addressed in this article, a major concern for women is safety and security at charging stations. Because again by definition, you are committed to being there and a thief knows you are going to be sitting in your car for an hour. They know that and if they’re just sitting across the street, watching you pull in they know the ones you get there. You’re basically hostage for one hour and they can do whatever they want. So you might want to consider that. Make sure you’re charging in public areas in daylight may be trying to do your charging at home so you’re not stopped for too long in a place or maybe charging in a parking lot where you can plug in and walk into a store you’re not trapped in your car.
Thinking about that usability and that charging reality might be something that’s important, just like you plan everything else about your day. Tell us what your thoughts are in the comments. And if this is something you’ve considered or you consider it too much of a risk to get an electric vehicle.
You know the next vehicle you buy could be the last gas-powered vehicle you ever owned. On the other hand, the next vehicle you buy could be the last electric vehicle you ever own. What do we mean by that?
Well, as you know there’s a lot of pressure coming from government agencies and auto manufacturers to switch everybody over from gasoline to electric vehicles. The question is whether or not the logic or the business model of electric vehicles is going to work. Will there be enough chargers or is there enough capacity? Will there be enough people that want to buy them? But if it keeps going the way it is, in three or four years, there may not be many desirable gasoline vehicles available to buy. Certainly, there will be some, but the good ones might not be for sale anymore. Many manufacturers are already saying they’re not going to make gasoline vehicles. They’re not coming out with any new models. And they’re forcing dealers only to sell electric vehicles. Ford told its dealers that if they don’t switch over to electric vehicle retailing, they basically can’t have a dealership. Buick told all its dealers we’ll buy you out if you don’t sell electric vehicles. It’s getting so serious that they’re even starting to now force airplane manufacturers to make electric airplanes. They’re trying to get fuel not to be used, you know jet fuel kerosene, not to be used in airplanes. So if they’re trying to make electric airplanes there must be really serious about electric cars. But is it going to work? You might buy an electric car in three or four years but you might find that three or four years later that the whole thing collapses, and there’s not enough infrastructure to keep up with electric vehicles, and then everybody goes back to gas, who knows? But if it goes away it’s going, there may not be gasoline cars to buy in three or 4-5 years.
Look, everybody talks about 2030 as the year when all the states and manufacturers are putting a ban on gasoline vehicles. It sounds like a long way away but it’s really not. Right now we’re knocking on the door of 2023. So let’s round it off and call it 2023. 2030 will be seven years from now. If you go back in time from 2023 minus seven years that was 2016, think back to 2016, what were you doing? It’s not that long ago. You can think back to that easily. The car you have might even be from 2016 or older. You might be in the same house that you were in 2016. So 2030 is in just a blink of an eye. It’s not that far away. So if gasoline vehicles will not be available or really any that you want to buy, what are you going to do 4-5 years from now?
So whatever you have now for gasoline vehicles or whatever you buy in the next couple of years might be the last gasoline vehicle you ever owned. Everything after that might be electric. Plan your life accordingly. Think about how you travel, think about how you commute, and take trips. What’d you do on the weekends? It all might change because you don’t think about it every day but your fueling and refueling regimen is based on driving couple hundred miles, stopping for a minute, and filling up driving another few hundred miles. You don’t really have to plan a lot of time to refuel or re-extend the range of a vehicle. You don’t have to plan for time.
Forget about the availability of chargers because that’s a whole other story. Gas stations are everywhere. When you’re driving in most places every minute or two you hit a gas station. For electric chargers, you might have to drive an hour or more to hit a charging station. Certainly, there may be more of them in a few years. Not as many as gas stations certainly, but there’ll be more of them. But having one available isn’t really the issue is it? When you fill-up for gas right now it takes you a minute or two. What if it takes you an hour or two? How is that going to change going for a weekend trip? How is it going to change going for a day trip? What do you do on a Saturday? Do you drive through the country? You go look at the fall leaves, you go skiing, how will that change that trip if there you have to add two or three hours of charging time into that schedule? Do you leave yourself two or three hours extra time on your trips? Now you might have to in the future, do you have a plugin charger in your house? You’ll need a 240-circuit, the same as your dryer, your range, your hot water heater, and your air conditioner in your garage. Maybe you might want to do that now because the cost of doing this is going to go up in the future. You can get an electrician to run that now and it’s still gonna cost you money, but having that in your home now may be a good investment for down the road. The price won’t stay low forever. Whatever you’re getting in your investment in the stock market or your other interest rates, saving a thousand dollars in three years on a $500 investment for a charger might be the best rate of return you get on anything.
Something to think about. Put your comments below and let us know what you think. Do you think this EV thing is going to happen or is it going to backfire and we’re all going back to gas at some point in the future? Put your comments below.
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