Do I Need to Drive the Car Back for Vehicle Transfer When Selling a Car in Another Location?
3 Answers
When buying a car in another location and transferring ownership, you do need to drive the car back. Here are the relevant details: 1. Article 19, Paragraph 1 states: 'To apply for transfer registration, the owner of the motor vehicle shall fill out an application form, present the motor vehicle for inspection, and submit the required documents and certificates.' For vehicle transfer registration, i.e., transfer of ownership, the motor vehicle must be 'presented for inspection,' which naturally means driving the vehicle to the vehicle management office. 2. Article 19, Paragraphs 2 and 3 specify: For vehicle transfer registration, the vehicle management office must 'verify the motor vehicle, check the vehicle identification number (VIN) imprint, review the submitted documents and certificates, and retrieve the license plates and vehicle registration certificate.' This also requires an on-site inspection of the vehicle.
I recently helped a friend with selling a car remotely, and in fact, you don’t necessarily have to drive the car back for the transfer, but it depends on the specific situation. First, the transfer of vehicle ownership requires completing procedures at the DMV. If the seller and buyer are in different cities, you can usually delegate a local friend or a professional agent to handle it. You just need to sign a power of attorney in advance and send copies of your ID, the vehicle registration certificate, and the insurance policy. Second, some places support online processing or vehicle inspection at a different DMV—for example, the buyer can drive to their local DMV for the check. I remember one transaction where my friend handled all the documents directly on WeChat, and the buyer completed everything locally without even moving the car, saving fuel costs and time. However, be mindful of the vehicle insurance transfer and tax issues. The transfer fee is usually a few hundred yuan—don’t get overcharged. In short, it’s best to check the local DMV rules in advance to avoid a wasted trip.
When selling a car and transferring ownership in a different location, it's not always necessary to drive the car back. I've encountered similar situations before. Generally, the transfer process requires the owner to be present in person or to authorize someone else with all the necessary documents, such as the vehicle registration certificate, original ID card, sales agreement, and purchase invoice. If the car is far away, you can sign a notarized power of attorney, allowing the buyer or an agent to handle the transfer at the original registration location's DMV. Some regions also allow vehicle inspections to be conducted in a different location, where the buyer can drive the car to their local DMV for inspection before transferring the registration. However, remember that the car must be in normal condition, without major accidents or violations, as these could affect the transfer process. It's best to go through a professional intermediary for the entire process—costs are low, it's hassle-free, and ensures all documents are complete to avoid rework. Personally, I think authorization is the best method—it saves you from long-distance travel and is both safe and efficient.
