If you’ve just purchased a vehicle in Connecticut, you must first have the car, truck, or SUV titled and registered in your name in order to drive it legally. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the key steps to getting this task done and guide you how to transfer your title and register your vehicle in Connecticut.
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How to Transfer Your Title and Register Your Vehicle in Connecticut.
Gather Your Documents
The first step in title transfer and registration in Connecticut is to get your paperwork in order. You will need the following documents to get started:
- Signed-over certificate of title
- Bill of sale (Form H-31)
- Registration and Title application (Form H-13B)
- Proof of Connecticut auto insurance
- Driver’s license or other acceptable government-issued ID
It’s important to note: if the vehicle has a current lien on it, it cannot be sold. If the lien has been satisfied, the seller must obtain a lien release letter from their financial institution before selling the car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or RV.
Register Your Out of State Vehicle in Connecticut
Get Your Vehicle Inspected
Most vehicles will be required to undergo and pass an emissions test. The exceptions to this rule are:
- Vehicles less than 4 years old
- Models from 2001 and earlier
- Full electric vehicles (not hybrids)
- Motorcycles
- Vehicles weighing more than 10,001 lbs
The other test that is often required is a VIN verification. This applies to the following vehicles:
- Brought in from out of state
- Is exempt from emissions testing
Be sure to get your inspections done at state-approved testing centers. For a full list of locations, click here.
Make an Appointment with the DMV
You will need to book an in-person appointment – as required by state of Connecticut – for DMV services. You can access the appointment booking page here .
This page will also allow you to change or cancel your appointment if necessary.
Bring all your documents with you when you visit your DMV office!
FAQs
Can I transfer a vehicle with a lien on it?
Generally, you cannot transfer a vehicle with a lien. If the vehicle has an active lien, it can’t be sold until the loan has been satisfied. If the loan has been paid off, the seller will have to ask the lending institution for a lien release letter before any sale can take place.
Can I use auto insurance from another state to cover my car in Connecticut?
Unfortunately, you cannot. Connecticut requires drivers to have a full insurance coverage policy from a local provider. The state insurance minimums are:
- $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 for property damage
- $25,000/$50,000 for uninsured/underinsured
What forms of ID are acceptable?
For most DMV transactions, including transferring a title and registering a vehicle, you will need:
- Valid U.S. Driver’s License or Learner’s Permit
- Official State-Issued Non-Driver ID Card
- Valid U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- U.S. Military ID or Permanent Resident Card
And there is your handy guide on how to transfer a title and register a vehicle in Connecticut.
Remember: when it comes time to renew your registration, head over to eTags.com and let us assist you with quick and easy renewal online. Because as always, at eTags, we’re here to help!
12 comments
I have given my son a loan against his car and want to put my name on his title as a lien holder. He recently moved to our home and so his address has been changed already on his license. Which form should I use and should he put his current address on the title or keep the original one that he has on the current title.
Your son can choose whichever address he wants as his mailing address. That will have no bearing on the adding the lien, even if you share the same address. You can use Florida DMV form HSMV 82139 to add a lien on the vehicle. You will need to turn in the title as well, after which you will receive a new title with lien on it.
I moved to CT from New York.
I have a loan from a bank and don’t have a title because the bank owns the car. How can I register the car in Connecticut?
You can find more detail about how to register your vehicle in CT, even thought the bank is in possession of the title, on this CT DMV page. They state: “If you have a lien or are leasing a vehicle, contact your lienholder or leasing company to notify them that Connecticut requires the original vehicle title to register a vehicle….If your lienholder provides a photocopy of the front and back of the title, you are eligible to receive a Courtesy Registration. Courtesy Registrations are valid for up to six months…“. Best of luck
i am buying out my leased vehicle. Please let me know what paperwork I will need to present at my appointment. thank you.
You’ll need proof of the lease buy-out, such as a bill of sale and proof of lien release which can either be the title with the lien release stamp on it or a separate lien release document. Keep in mind that you will need the title regardless of how the lien release is provided. Have your ID and proof of CT insurance ready as well.
i need to transfer my registration, title and plates from FL to CT. It sat in FL for a while and was delivered to me up here. I already got an emissions test and insurance for CT. New tires have been installed. How do I proceed?
You can go to any CT DMV office or certain dealerships licensed to register vehicles. You may also use eTags online CT transfer and registration services. No matter which option you choose, you will need to have the title for the vehicle, your ID, a completed inspection , and the signed application forms.
Additional resources from eTags.com
How do I transfer my registration from one car to another car.
Hello there, with etags online, here’s how you would proceed on this link. You’ll choose Connecticut (assuming that’s where you reside), transfer title as a service, but request transfer plate. Direct from our agents for more details: We only transfer a plate in conjunction with a title transfer. The plate must be valid (not expired) and in the customer’s name unless it’s a lease buyout. (then it would be in the leaseholder name) You’d get to this option by selecting transfer title and then prompted to choose an option for new or transfer plate.
I am leasing a car in Danbury. I am selling my old car. I want to transfer my old plates to the new car. How many days from the sale of my old car are the plates still good?
This article will give you all the details.