[alwann]

Just sold a car. Now I'm in the dark about how to transfer the registration to the new owner.

The Florida DMV site tells me I should remove the tags from the car. Okay, so how does the buyer get to DMV to register the car without tags on it? Seems like a good way to get pulled over by the cops.

I'm not going to transfer the tags to another vehicle. I expect to surrender them, but renewal was scheduled for August so no refund is likely.

Hopefully someone on ToTV has experience to share.

[jnieman]

Originally Posted by alwann

Just sold a car. Now I'm in the dark about how to transfer the registration to the new owner.

The Florida DMV site tells me I should remove the tags from the car. Okay, so how does the buyer get to DMV to register the car without tags on it? Seems like a good way to get pulled over by the cops.

I'm not going to transfer the tags to another vehicle. I expect to surrender them, but renewal was scheduled for August so no refund is likely.

Hopefully someone on ToTV has experience to share.

One thing you should make sure of is that the title is officially transferred to the buyer. If you just sign it and give it to him then if he gets tickets they go to you. Here's a link to the info you need. FL Auto Sales Paperwork - Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, Bill of Sale, Title Transfer at DMV.org: The DMV Made Simple
I've watched Judge Judy enough to know that people sometimes jump title and resell the car and the title is still in your name. This spells trouble.

[villagetinker]

I hope I misunderstood, but you should NOT have given a signed title to the buyer. Both of you should have gone to the DMV (office is in the country office in Pinellas Plaza), and completed the transaction there. I have heard many horror stories about people who handed of titles, only to be ticketed and fined later because the "buyer" never completed the paperwork. You also need to think about insurance, as you may incur liability in case of an accident.
Good luck.

[rjm1cc]

Both go to the DMV. He applies for plates etc and you sign the title to him when he has to give it to the DMV. He gives you a certified check or cash at the same time. If you do not know the person you may want to verify that the check is ok with the bank before going to DMV. Remove the plates before you go into the DMV.

[Indy-Guy]

Originally Posted by rjm1cc

Both go to the DMV. He applies for plates etc and you sign the title to him when he has to give it to the DMV. He gives you a certified check or cash at the same time. If you do not know the person you may want to verify that the check is ok with the bank before going to DMV. Remove the plates before you go into the DMV.

30 years in automobile sales this is the only way I would handle this type of transaction.

[sunnyatlast]

Go with the buyer to the Auto Title and Registration/Tags DMV at The Villages Annex on Hwy. 466 at Morse Boulevard.

I've done it and these are the best DMV workers I've ever seen: professional, courteous, instructive and efficient. When you go there with the buyer, THEY instruct the buyer about sales tax to be paid, new title, new registration and pay the money, and you don't have to deal with that and a buyer who might want to wiggle out of some of these costs.

They will instruct both of you. As for your tags you're removing, if you don't have another car to register them onto now, FL requires you to turn in the plates BUT also suspend that plate/registration for future use, so you don't have to start over paying the big initial fee for new plate/registration again for another car you might buy.

They showed me how the suspended plate info stays suspended in the computer system on my car registration records right below my current car's record, ready to be registered for another vehicle later on if I choose.

The Villages Annex
8033 East CR 466
The Villages, FL 32162
Phone: (352) 689-4645
Fax: (352) 689-4646
Office Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm M-F

[queasy27]

Originally Posted by Villages Audio Video

What if the buyer is in another state? I've bought and sold dozens of cars. Get a signed bill of sale, remove tags, sign and date the title and send them on there way. If they get stopped, the driver get the ticket, not the previous owner. You can and should go to the dmv and get a temp tag to drive it home.

When you say "remove tags," do you mean physically scrape them off? Or do you mean "remove license plate"?

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by Villages Audio Video

Ok, I'll ask again. What if you sell the car to an out of state buyer? Going to the dmv with the buyer is really unnecessary. I can't think of a single benefit.

Remove the licence plate and any stickers the state put on the car. Write to the state that you registered the car and tell them you sold the car to x and ask how to return the license plates to them if you want too.

Include a copy of your title if you can. If not give them the VIN number. Also tell them the license plate number.

You want to do this ASAP to end your liability if the car is in an accident, driver gets a ticket etc.