Sometimes, a sold title is never registered. This happens more often than you’d think, actually, and it’s worthwhile to know what to do. If you’ve signed off your vehicle’s title, and if it was never transferred, you have a few options available. A car title transfer in Florida is pretty straightforward, and the law may be on your side—depending on your particular case.
Selling and Signing
In Florida, a seller is required to sign the back of a vehicle’s existing title along with the sale price, date and exact odometer reading. Then, the car is handed off to the buyer. At this point, the buyer is expected to register the title. If a sale doesn’t take place at a DMV office, however, the buyer can’t be “forced” to register the car.
Because car owners sell their vehicles frequently, a lot of private car sales don’t take place at the DMV. For this reason, signing and registering can become a complicated process. Before a car is completely transferred, the buyer needs to register its’ credentials. In some cases, the vehicle’s license plate may need to be turned into a local DMV office. From all angles, a vehicle should be stripped of any previous identifying information and be given new information. A vehicle’s registration information ties it to its owner—and a vehicle which isn’t transferred completely may still be linked to its seller.
Ensuring Transfer of a Vehicle’s Title
Understandably, not much holds a buyer responsible for registering a Florida car title. If they get into an accident after driving the vehicle for five miles, the vehicle will still be in your name. Fortunately, you can make sure your buyer is held accountable for completing the transfer.
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Make a copy of both sides of the vehicle’s title. Additionally, make sure the vehicle’s odometer reading is exact when you transfer the car. Make sure you secure a complete bill of sale. During the sale, both parties should sign the papers. Send the bill of sale to the DMV. If anything happens to the vehicle, and if the buyer has failed to register the car, you—and the DMV—will have proof of the transfer. The car won’t legally be in your name, relieving you of any responsibility.
What Happens if You Don’t Ensure a Title Transfer?
If you don’t copy any documents, inform the DMV and hold the buyer accountable, you could receive traffic tickets in the mail. It’s important to let the DMV know about all aspects of the transfer. Contact them immediately after the sale is completed, and circumnavigate any future charges before they occur.
In most cases, a buyer simply forgot to make the transfer quickly. If the vehicle still hasn’t transferred, give them a week or so. If they still haven’t registered the vehicle, immediately contact your local DMV office. If they have the records, the situation will be quickly remedied. As in any case involving automotive, proof is your best resource. Selling a vehicle can be profitable, but it can also create an opportunity for individuals to use a seller’s name during crimes.
Overall, these cases are rare. The DMV supports a buyer’s security, and Florida law will similarly back up a seller whose vehicle wasn’t properly registered by the buyer. Take the extra step of protection, and make sure all selling information is handled correctly. If you’re on the buying end: Make sure you transfer the vehicle quickly.
Be a good customer, and make sure you’re giving your buyer their much-deserved peace of mind.
Looking for more information on how to transfer your vehicle’s title in a specific state? Check out our state-by-state title transfer information here.
468 comments
I recently acquired a motorcycle/scooter in a trade. I have a bill of sale and the title, but the title is in the name of the person who owned the motorcycle prior to the person I got the motorcycle from. Apparently this person didn’t think he needed to put the title in his name. I recently tried to sell the motorcycle and didn’t realize the issues with the title. I’ve not been able to get in contact with the person I got the motorcycle from and he’s ignoring my emails. Is there anything I can do to get a new title in my name so I can sell it?
We suggest going to your local DMV with your bill of sale. Good luck!
I just pay a new car and me with the previous owner sign in the title. The owner smash just a little on the top off the title and when I back to my state on ohio to change the title to my name and to my state they didn’t accept the title and I contact the previous owner he didn’t response. What should I do?
In this case you would have to get a new title. Contact your local Ohio DMV office for more details.
A family member gave me a car signed the title over to me correctly. 7/31/2019. I sent off online for a transfer of the title 8/24/2019. Can the previous owner come and take the car without my knowledge even though I’ve sent off for the transfer of the title?
Hello Demeastra. Once the family members signs over the title of a vehicle to you, you become the owner of the vehicle as specified on the title. Yet you will need to title it to make it official with the DMV. Since you’ve taken care of it online, you may already be registered as the legal owner. Contact your local DMV agency for further information about the status of the vehicle.
Sorry to just jump in this conversation I couldn’t find other ways to leave a question. I bought a motorcycle from a friend. The tags expired in 2015 but he never put it on his name nor the title was on his name. Luckily found the titled owners phone number that sold the motorcycle to my friend, Asked him that I need a duplicate of title form to be signed by him, so I asked him if I could send him the paper to get the signature, at first he was cool about it, later that day I called him and asked him I would send him the form via email so I could take care of the paperwork that same day. He said he would sign them when he had a chance cause he was driving, it’s been a week now and never got an answer from him and now he won’t answer my calls. I talked to my friend whom I bought it from and said that I could get it registered with only the bill of sell.
The bill of sale only shows proof that the previous owner sold it to your friend. Your friend will have to get a title in his name in order to sell it to you. Contact your local DMV or tax collector for more info.
It’s going to be finish of mine day, however before ending I am reading this great post to improve my know-how.
Hi there. Hope you find it useful.
Hi there, Im in a bit of a dilemma . I recently moved out of California. I left my car there with the title and keys. My sister took over from there and sold it to a cash for cars type company (or so she thought). She didn’t keep any record of who she called and she wasn’t even there when the man came and paid for it. my previous roommate accepted the cash, gave him the title, and my only set of keys. He said he was coming back to pick up the car but never did and has not responded to any calls or texts. I am continually being hit with street sweeping fees and monthly insurance fees. I don’t understand why someone would pay for the car but never take it. Would love some advice on how to proceed from here.
Hello Leigh. From the information you have provided it appears that you want the buyer to pick the vehicle. Then you’ll need to find a way to contact the seller or call the DMV in your area to report the transaction and request further instructions.
I couldnt find where to leave a comment .. my situation i want to buy this truck . The original owner signed and dated the original pink slip with its milage but the new buyer never put any of his info so its a floating title also the tranfser of liability part section is still attached to the pink slip.. its been two months since he baught it and he guy never put it under his name his wife doesnt want the truck so hes selling it .. want to buy the truck but im scared the original.owner might say its stolen? I checked the vin number But then i have the signed pink slip we got the original owner on the phone and he confirmed he sold it to him. Should i move forth and buy it
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Hello Joel. From the information you have provided you will need to get a Bill of Sale from the legal owner to justify the previous transaction. And use it as a proof to title a vehicle into your name.
I donated a car over a year ago. I signed the title and wrote the name of the charity etc. on the back of the title. About a week ago I received a note saying the car was impounded in a city about 3 hours from me and that I need to owe this amount of money to get it out. I contacted the charity but they have not said anything since I contacted them on the weekend. What can I do?
Thanks
Hello Richey. The process of donating a vehicle varies from state to state. You will need to report the donation to the DMV and contact the charity to discuss the incident.
I bought a truck from my step daughter for $400. Spent over $1000 dollars on the truck fixkng her up, tune up, new tires ect ect. The step daughter thought she had the title packed up somewhere and promised to get it to me when she found it. Months go by and she was desperate to get her hands on money to avoid eviction from her apartment and stole the truck back then took it to the scrap yard selling it to them. Assuming i have alll the proof the truck was sold to me, is there a more severe punishment for pulling a con like this or is this merely a small claims court thing where nothing happens to her other than payong me back what she owes me?
Hello Charles. Unfortunately, your inquiry falls out of our area of expertise. You will need to seek for legal advice to solve this incident or refer to your local DMV agency to discuss this issue promptly.
hello I have a huge dilemma- My mother lived with me for the last 17 years- when she passed I kept her vehicle, all my siblings agreed , never and issue. I couldn’t find the tile at the time and never changed the title into my name , yet obtained insurance over the internet thru geico – Friday one of my teenagers hit a block wall and messed the car up enough to call it a total loss, insurance adjuster came and gave us a quote and said she needed the title to write the check- will they cover a car not titled to me and the person titled to the car is deceased?
Hello Lisa. If the vehicle is not in your name, then you are not the legal owner of the vehicle. You will need to contact the DMV in your local state to discuss this situation and receive further instructions.
I purchased a trailer 6 months ago. The seller gave me the title with his signature. I purchased it with some borrowed money from my parents, and they insisted they hold on to the title until i paid them back. Well I paid them back, and now they wont give me back the title. It was never registered at the DMV under my name or theirs. How do I go about this? I’m worried they will register it under their name and never give me back the trailer that I paid for. Do I file for a lost or stolen title? Please help.