For many folks out there, the purchase of a vehicle can be a milestone. A new car or truck can signify independence, freedom, mobility. And whether it’s your first time buying four wheels and a motor, or your tenth time going through the process, we know things can get a bit sticky when gathering and completing all the paperwork. Especially if the sale was private, person to person, rather than through a dealership, where the majority – if not all – the paperwork is done for you, and with guidance.
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So, here is a clear outline of the key elements in a to transfer a title and registering your new vehicle after a private or casual (person to person) sale. Of course there are always exceptions, special cases, and the occasional “wrench” that can get thrown in the mix, but these points will apply to most cases.
Original Title Required
The very first thing to be sure of in a private sale is that the seller has a current, original title with their name listed on the front. Copies are never accepted by the DMV. The title must be clean, undamaged, and bear no corrections, cross outs, or erasures. In the case that the title has been altered in any way, shape, or form, it will be considered defaced by the DMV, and the seller will be required to obtain a duplicate title. Once the duplicate title is received, only then can the transfer resume.
For sales involving a Connecticut issued title, the seller must sign over the document to the buyer in the top section only, labeled: Transfer By Owner. In the designated boxes, the current odometer reading (if the vehicle has an engine – otherwise, for trailers, this can be left blank) must be completed. Remember, any alteration here will not be accepted, so be sure to write these number with care! Below the odometer reading goes the name and address of the purchaser/buyer. Directly below the buyer’s address, (assuming, in this case, that there is no lienholder to list) he or she must pen their signature. Under this, the seller fills in his or her name, the date of sale (to the right of the name), and his or her signature underneath this. The seller should remove his/her plates from the vehicle before handing over the keys.
If the title is issued by another state, please follow the instructions on the title to assure it’s completed correctly.
Bill of Sale
When the title has been signed over, the next required document is a Bill of Sale (BoS). The DMV does not require a specific form for the bill of sale, but when submitting a homemade (or even handwritten) paper they do require that the following information be supplied:
- Name and address of seller
- Name and address of purchaser
- Vehicle details: make, model, year, and color
- VIN
- Sales price
- Date of sale
- Signature of seller
If this seems like a lot of responsibility, or if you prefer a more official document to accompany your sale/purchase, know that the DMV provides a bill of sale online that can be printed and completed free of charge. Follow this link to access and print the form at your convenience. While not required, it’s a smart idea to make a copy of both the completed and signed title and BoS before submitting them to the DMV. Back-up is always nice to have.
It’s a smart idea to make a copy of both the completed and signed title and BoS before submitting them to the DMV. Back-up is always nice to have.
Vehicle Insurance
The next element to secure is vehicle insurance, if you will be either registering the car with new CT plates or transferring CT plates you already have. For reference, plates are not transferrable between people. If the buyer has tags in his/her name that are still current and valid, these plates may be transferred to the new vehicle.
The buyer will be required to present proof of current, valid, local automobile insurance in order to register the car/truck/SUV in their name. If the vehicle is a trailer, it will not need separate insurance, as it will be covered by the policy that insures whatever is towing the trailer. Please note that if the buyer has just moved to Connecticut and has valid insurance from another state, this will not be accepted by the DMV. If the out-of-state provider extends their coverage to CT, however, the buyer can contact the company and request that the policy be changed to their new address in CT.
Okay, with a clean, signed-over title, a bill of sale containing all the necessary information, and proof of Connecticut auto insurance, the next step is registration.
Plates are not transferrable between people. If the buyer has tags in his/her name that are still current and valid, these plates may be transferred to the new vehicle.
Transfer Title and Register
With all these steps completed, you are ready to submit your documents, apply for a new title and either transfer or obtain new registration. The last piece of essential documentation, of course, is valid Connecticut identification. The DMV will accept the following forms of current ID when transferring a title and updating/receiving new registration:
- CT driver’s license or learner’s permit
- Out-of-state license or ID card
- Canadian driver’s license
- Passport or card
- Military ID card
- Tribal ID card with photo
The CT DMV is only accepting appointments in order to facilitate title and registration transfers. You may contact the CT DMV to set up a date to visit. Alternatively, you can visit eTags and we can assist you with this whole process, A to Z, from the comfort and convenience of basically anywhere! Head over to our main web page here and choose Connecticut from the drop-down menu. From there, our expert title and registration agents will help you with all the nitty-gritties.
It’s good note that while this article only mentions those easy, straightforward sales, we are also really well-versed in the more challenging kinds of transfers. We can lend a hand with lien holder situations, gifted vehicles, and cars that were inherited from deceased relatives. Whatever you’ve got on your plate, (or dashboard!) when it comes to all things title and registration, we’re here to help!
