Does Vehicle Transfer Require Driving the Car Back to the Local DMV?
3 Answers
Vehicle transfer requires driving the car to the local DMV. For out-of-town transfers, it is not necessary to drive the car there. The process for out-of-town transfer without the vehicle is as follows: First, apply for an out-of-town inspection authorization to the other party's DMV for vehicle inspection. After the other party's DMV inspects and approves the vehicle, they will send the materials back to the vehicle's registered DMV for verification. Pay the used car transaction tax, obtain a temporary license plate, register the mailing address, and then seal the file and mail it back to the other party's DMV. Once the file arrives at the other party's DMV, proceed directly with the filing and registration procedures. Below is relevant information about vehicle transfer: Vehicle Transfer Notes: When transferring, the new owner's identity proof must be provided, and the vehicle must be present. Before both parties exchange all files and verify them, if the original insurance is still valid, an insurance change must be made. If the original insurance has expired, remember to purchase temporary insurance. Vehicle Transfer Process: The DMV verifies the file, the vehicle inspection point collects images and inspects the vehicle, the DMV accepts the application, returns the original license plate, and collects fees. The DMV then issues a temporary license plate and the vehicle's file. Documents Required for Vehicle Transfer: Original "Motor Vehicle Change Registration/Record Application Form"; Original and copy of the vehicle owner's identity proof; Original vehicle registration certificate; Original vehicle license; Vehicle license plate; Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) rubbing; Original "Motor Vehicle Inspection Record Form"; If an agent applies for vehicle registration and related business, the agent must submit the original and copy of their identity proof (if the agent is a company, the original and copy of the handler's identity proof must also be submitted), as well as the original written authorization from the vehicle owner.
I just helped a friend with the vehicle transfer and registration process, going through the entire procedure. It's mandatory to drive the car back to the local DMV for an on-site inspection. This is because the staff need to verify vehicle details in person, such as matching the VIN, engine number with the actual car to prevent illegal modifications or theft. The usual steps involve bringing your ID, the original owner's documents, license plates, and other relevant paperwork in advance, then queuing at the DMV for inspection. If you don't drive the car there, the procedure is invalid, and you might have to reschedule, wasting time. To avoid hassles, I recommend going on weekdays when it's less crowded and quicker. Regularly checking your vehicle's condition during maintenance can also prevent inspection failures. Overall, it's a bit troublesome but ensures safety and reliability.
As a novice buying a used car and going through the transfer process, I asked around and the conclusion was that the car must be driven back to the DMV for inspection. This is a mandatory requirement to ensure the authenticity of the vehicle, such as no cloned plates or malfunctions. The whole process was quite simple—I first scheduled an online appointment, drove to the designated window, where the staff scanned the VIN code and took photos on the spot. Once the documents matched, it was done. Without driving the car, neither an agent nor online methods would work, due to risk control mechanisms. I also checked relevant information and found that some big cities support pre-inspection, but ultimately, you still have to go in person once. My advice is to prepare spare parts like seat belts in advance, don’t forget to refuel, and make minor adjustments on-site if any small issues arise during inspection. Easy to handle, right?
