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Car Title Signed But Never Transferred: What Do I Do?

Car Title Signed But Never Transferred: What Do I Do?

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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.

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584 comments

  1. I’m in CA. Over 10 years ago my parents purchased a car for me from private party. My parents are on title as owner and or lien holder, I don’t remember. I have been using the car ever since, paying registration and insurance all under my name. End of 2018 my parents signed and dated title to transfer to me and or release lien however it was put to the side and then misplaced. I recently found it. Documents were never turned into DMV. What needs to happen if I want to sell it or donate it now since title was already signed and dated almost 2 years ago? Also, if I donate it do I have to pay for registration tags that are due in Dec and get smog cert? Thanks as I was not able to locate this info on the web.

    Reply

    1. If you choose to sell or donate the vehicle without first putting the vehicle in your name you can do so with a bill of sale. The original signed title and bill of sale will need to given to the new owner. The new owner will be responsible for any fees due. The seller is responsible for the smog unless other agreements have been made.

      Reply

  2. I live California I bought a car from my cousin and I sold the car right away I didn’t have chance to change my name do COVID I sign the title to person but he never put his name, he got in car accident, now it say that I need to pay what can I do

    Reply

    1. A release of liability needs to be submitted whenever a vehicle is sold. You can submit this form on the cadmv.gov website. We do not provide legal advice.

      Reply

  3. Live in PA a friend sold a car to a person she didn’t know. He paid her cash but won’t transfer the car now and has blocked her number and won’t answer to other numbers that have tired to call him. It’s not inspected nor registered and it’s not insured. She has no information on the guy known only as John. She and her husband have tried to find the car but seems hopeless. These are good people and trusted the person to want it transferred and owed. What responsibilities are on her and what can she do?

    Reply

    1. etags doesn’t offer legal advice, but has your friend filed a police report with the vin #? Bc anything that happens with the car, say an accident, or tickets, will be her responsibility? You can also contact your local DMV to see what can be done.

      Reply

  4. Hi, i bought a classic/project car 2 yrs ago in Ohio, (im in michigan) and never registered it and never drove it, its finally ready to drive and i need to register it, will i have any issues?

    Reply

  5. Hey I’m looking at buying a truck from a guy but he never got the title transferred in his name, and this guy that is selling it now has sign his name as the seller on the back of the title so I’m trying to figure out what can be done to get the title in my name so I can see if it’s worth getting the truck? Thanks

    Reply

  6. Hi, I live in South Carolina and 2 weeks back I bought my first motorcycle and the title came with it but it was never transferred into the sellers name but his name and the original owners name are on the title and we signed a bill of sale with his info and mine. I didn’t notice this until after I handed him the cash for the bike and then that’s when he hit me with the bill of sale. Will I have any issues registering since I have proof of original title with the previous transaction and a bill of sale with my transaction?

    Reply

  7. I live in North Carolina and my mother bought a little travel camper off of Facebook Marketplace around the time the Pandemic started, she got the title but could never get around to transferring it to her name. She came down very sick (non covid related), and she totally forgot where she put it. We found the seller and messaged him but haven’t heard back from him. How would we go about getting another title?

    Reply

  8. Hello,
    Is it possible to transfer title without stepping into DMV? (This is in Florida)
    My mom bought this car for me ages ago, and the title is in her name. Now I’m trying to get rid of it, but need to title transferred to me. She’s not able to come to the DMV with me due to being out of state.

    Reply