Does the Vehicle Transfer Require the Original Owner to Be Present?
2 Answers
The original owner does not need to be present for a vehicle transfer, but the following documents must be provided: The original owner of a used car must provide documents such as the registration certificate, vehicle license, and ID card. The buyer needs to provide an ID card, and if they are from another region, a residence permit or temporary residence certificate is required. Vehicle transfer first requires a vehicle evaluation. The evaluation fee is usually 1%-2% of the assessed vehicle value, while other fees, such as license plates and vehicle license, amount to approximately 165 yuan. The original commercial insurance for the vehicle can be canceled (compulsory insurance cannot be canceled), or it can be transferred to the buyer at the insurance company. Precautions for purchasing a used car: Incomplete documentation. Complete documentation for a used car includes: vehicle registration certificate (or original purchase invoice), vehicle license, vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, road maintenance fee records, and compulsory insurance. If the vehicle registration certificate or vehicle license is missing, or if there are unpaid compulsory insurance or road maintenance fees, it can cause endless trouble for the buyer. Therefore, if the seller cannot provide complete documentation, consumers should be particularly cautious. Tampering with the odometer. Most consumers rely on the odometer to judge a car's condition, and sellers often take advantage of this by tampering with the odometer. In fact, the odometer is not just an indicator of usage intensity but also a record of repairs and replacements for other vehicle components. If buyers follow the tampered odometer readings for maintenance, it can lead to a series of potential safety hazards. New paint covering "external injuries." When purchasing a used car, if the car has been repainted and there are signs of repairs around the front, rear, or A, B, and C pillars, the vehicle may have been involved in a major accident. "Tuning the heart" to raise the price. Many consumers focus too much on the car's "heart" (engine) and overlook the condition of the body. Used car sellers take advantage of this by replacing engine components to make the "heart" appear younger, thereby inflating the price.
A few days ago, I helped my friend transfer his dad's car ownership. The owner doesn't necessarily have to go to the DMV in person—they can authorize an agent to handle it. For example, just fill out a power of attorney and have a relative or friend act on their behalf. But you'll need to prepare copies of the original owner's ID, the vehicle's registration certificate, and other documents. It's also safer to notarize the power of attorney. Rules vary by location—small cities like ours are more lenient, while big cities might be stricter. Before transferring ownership, I recommend calling the local DMV to check requirements to avoid a wasted trip. If the original owner is out of town or busy, this authorization method is quite handy—it saves time and effort, avoiding unnecessary hassle. The key is having all documents ready for a smooth process.
