Can a car be transferred without a driver's license?
4 Answers
It is possible to complete the transfer of ownership without a driver's license. The documents required for the transfer process include: Original owner's ID card, new owner's ID card, original/duplicate of the vehicle license, purchase tax certificate, proof of payment for vehicle and vessel tax, vehicle registration certificate, vehicle inspection report from the criminal investigation department, and insurance policy/card/invoice. All of these must be provided in original copies. Types of vehicles that cannot be transferred include: Used cars still under mortgage, used cars that have been modified, altered, or had their cargo capacity or passenger capacity changed without authorization, used cars with unresolved traffic violations or accident cases, vehicles that have reached the scrap age limit, vehicles frozen by court order, imported cars still under customs supervision without released supervision, and used cars that do not meet the local standards for relocation in or out of the area.
From my experience frequently assisting friends with vehicle matters, transferring ownership of a car indeed doesn't require a driver's license. The process primarily involves completing paperwork to transfer the vehicle from the seller's name to the buyer's name, focusing on documents like the vehicle registration certificate and both parties' ID cards—unlike driving, which requires a license to prove capability. Even without a driver's license, the owner can smoothly complete the transfer because changing vehicle ownership doesn't depend on driving experience. In practice, I recommend bringing the vehicle's green book (registration certificate), valid insurance policy, sales agreement, and original ID cards to the local DMV—staff only check these basic items; a driver's license isn't even listed among the mandatory requirements. However, remember to ensure the car has no outstanding fines or accident disputes before the transfer, or the process could get stuck. Additionally, after the transfer, the buyer should note: a driver's license is only needed when actually driving the car—otherwise, it counts as unlicensed driving and is illegal. Don’t confuse this and risk legal trouble.
I personally experienced selling my old car to a young buyer who couldn't drive, and the transfer process went smoothly without any issues—the key is having all the documents in order. The transfer is about the legal change of ownership, and a driver's license is irrelevant in the procedure—it only pertains to driving eligibility. The vehicle registration department only checks the ID card to verify identity and vehicle information. When handling the transfer, just bring the vehicle registration certificate (green book), a copy of your ID card, and the transaction proof; no driver's license is needed to complete the transfer, and the DMV process is straightforward. However, I must remind you: if the new owner plans to use the car immediately without a license, they should never drive it on the road—getting caught by the police would be serious trouble. Safety always comes first.
Starting from a common misconception, many people believe that you cannot transfer a car without a driver's license, which is a misunderstanding. The reality is quite the opposite: transferring ownership does not require a driver's license at all; it is purely a change of ownership registration. The procedures are based on the vehicle registration certificate and the identities of the buyer and seller, and the driver's license is irrelevant. When handling the transfer, simply bring your ID card and the vehicle registration certificate (green book) to the DMV, and it can be completed in just a few tens of minutes. Don’t worry about not having a driver's license affecting the transfer; but remember, you must obtain a license to drive legally in the future to avoid breaking the law.
