Can a car be transferred if the owner is not present?
3 Answers
If the car owner is not present, the vehicle can still be transferred to someone else through a power of attorney transfer process. In this case, the authorized person handles the transfer procedures on behalf of the owner by presenting the owner's ID and the power of attorney. Below is relevant information: Principle: Every car has a fixed registration, which primarily records the owner's details, address, and some related vehicle parameters. A transferred car proves that it belongs to the current owner and has no accident or violation records. If the car has issues, such as being involved in an accident, failing annual inspection, being stolen, or being smuggled, it cannot be transferred through normal procedures. Vehicle relocation: When a vehicle is moved from one city to another, the registration process to change the vehicle management authority is called relocation. Vehicle relocation requires changing the license plate and vehicle registration certificate, and the procedures must be handled separately at two vehicle management authorities, including the transfer-out and transfer-in processes.
Yes, the transfer of ownership can still be processed even if the original owner is not present. I managed to get it done with the help of a friend. When my brother wanted to sell his car but was out of town, he went to a notary office to prepare a power of attorney, which required his signature and a fingerprint copy, along with a photo of his ID card and the vehicle registration certificate. I took these documents to the DMV with the buyer, and after the staff verified the authenticity of the power of attorney, the transfer was successfully completed. The whole process went smoothly, but it's best to call the local DMV in advance to confirm the requirements to avoid making a trip with incomplete documents. A reminder: the power of attorney must be officially notarized to be valid. Nowadays, many places support online submission, so the original owner doesn't need to be present to get it done.
If the original owner cannot be present, the transfer is completely fine. I have experienced a similar situation myself. You just need to find a trustworthy person to act as an agent, such as a family member or friend. Have the original owner prepare a notarized power of attorney to prove the agency rights, and provide a copy of the original owner's ID card and the vehicle's green book. I once helped a neighbor with this process. When the agent submits the documents at the DMV, they will be required to present the original power of attorney and identification, and the transfer will be approved. However, make sure all documents are genuine to avoid fraud risks. It's advisable to sign a written agreement before the transaction, listing all the details for added security. After the vehicle is delivered, handle the insurance transfer immediately to prevent any unforeseen incidents.
