As the price of pre-owned vehicles sold at dealerships in Florida continues to climb, more people are opting to buy and sell cars via private channels. This type of transaction can benefit both buyers and sellers when it comes to pricing, but it also requires both parties to carry out title transfer requirements on their own.
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The transaction of a title transfer, while straightforward, can seem daunting if it’s something you haven’t done it before. So we’ve put together the following checklists that will help guide you through the steps to take both before and after the sale process.
Pre-sale Checklist
Advertise your vehicle. Listing your car on popular auto-trading sites can help folks find your car and determine if it’s right for them. When you post a listing, be sure to include important details like the vehicle’s mileage and accident/maintenance history. This transparency ensures that buyers know the facts and increases the likelihood of receiving serious offers.
Get a temporary tag. This is optional, as you only need a temporary tag if you have already transferred your old plates and registration to a new vehicle. If that’s the case, a temporary (paper) tag will allow other people to test drive the vehicle. Keep in mind that the vehicle must be insured in order to receive a temporary tag.
Consider any existing liens. If your car loan has not yet been paid off, you cannot sell it.
Mid-Sale Checklist
After completing your pre-sale tasks and finding a buyer, you’ll need to:
Draft a bill of sale. A bill of sale is a document required as part of sale. It should include details such as:
- Date of sale
- Selling price
- Make, model, year of vehicle
- Buyer and seller information
Sign over the title. A vehicle sale in Florida means that ownership is transferred via a title transfer. Without this document, no sale or transfer of ownership is valid or legal. Both buyer and seller will have to fill in the appropriate designated spaces in order to complete the transfer. You will need information such as name and address, sale price, date of sale, and the vehicle’s current mileage. If the title has been lost or damaged, you’ll need to request a duplicate (replacement) document before you can proceed.
Remove your tags. Before the buyer drives off with your old vehicle, remove the license plate and registration tags. The plates can be transferred to your next vehicle if that’s part of your plan.
Title transfer. To make a transfer of ownership complete, the buyer needs to have the signed-over title replaced with a new official DMV document with their name on the front, naming them as owner. For fast and easy online Florida title transfers, head over to eTags.com and let us facilitate this process for you!
** If you are transferring a title from another state, you will need to have a VIN verification done. This can be done at a tax collector’s office, a licensed dealership, or by a law enforcement officer.
Whether you’re the buyer or seller of a vehicle, eTags can make the process a painless one. We offer fast and convenient online title transfers (and more) that can save you time and headaches. Simply head on over to our homepage, select Florida as your state of residence, and choose the service that best suits your needs. And remember, if you need a hand at any time, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Because as always, at eTags, we’re here to help!
4 comments
Do I have to have a valid registration to sell my vehicle in flordia.
No, as long as you have the title you can show ownership
I sold my car in CT but it’s registered in Fla, can you help with the process of notifying Fla?
Hi Kellie,
As long as you sign the title over to your buyer, you’ll be good to go! Your plate belongs to you, so you can go ahead and transfer it to your new car.