How Long Does It Take to Transfer a Car Title?
4 Answers
Transferring a car title typically takes 1-7 days. For used cars undergoing local title transfer procedures, the process can usually be completed within one day if all required documents are in order. For out-of-town title transfers, which involve retrieving the vehicle's major and minor records, the process generally takes up to 7 working days. Documents required for individual-to-individual title transfer: Original and photocopies of the seller's and buyer's ID cards; Original and photocopies of the vehicle's original purchase invoice or previous transfer invoice; Original and photocopies of the vehicle's registration certificate; Original and photocopies of the vehicle's license; Used vehicle sales contract. Relevant regulations: "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations": Article 13: When a motor vehicle owner's residence changes beyond the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office, the office shall, within three days of accepting the application, record the changes in the motor vehicle registration certificate, reclaim the license plates and vehicle license, issue a temporary license plate valid for 30 days, and hand over the vehicle's records to the owner. The owner must apply for vehicle re-registration at the local vehicle management office within the validity period of the temporary license plate.
I just helped a friend complete the used car transfer process last month, and it was actually quite fast. As long as you have all the required documents (vehicle registration certificate, ID cards of both parties, and transaction invoice) and go to the DMV during regular working hours, it can basically be done in half a day. The most crucial steps are checking for traffic violations and inspecting the vehicle beforehand. If the car has modifications or outstanding violations, it might take several days to resolve. It's recommended to arrive right at 9 AM when they open to avoid the lunchtime queue. If you hire an agent, they are familiar with the process and might finish it in just two hours, though you'll need to pay an extra 300-500 RMB service fee. You can legally drive the car the same day you receive the new vehicle license, but remember to display the temporary license plate properly while waiting for the permanent license plates to arrive by mail.
Last time I accompanied my dad to transfer ownership of his decade-old Jetta, the entire process took four and a half hours. The main delay was during the vehicle inspection at the DMV: the engine number was rusted and illegible, so the staff spent half an hour using rust remover; then we had to run out to find a print shop because we forgot to print a copy of the compulsory insurance policy. Actually, the core process consists of just three steps: issuing the transaction invoice, vehicle inspection, and selecting the license plate number for certificate production. If you make an appointment in advance via the Traffic Management 12123 app and bring all the required documents (especially the green vehicle registration book and the original owner's power of attorney), the whole process can easily be completed within two hours. It's advisable to bring your own pen and glue stick, as borrowing tools on-site often causes unnecessary delays. By the way, for new energy vehicles, make sure the battery number is recorded in the system—this step is often overlooked.
The fastest recorded transfer time was 1 hour and 40 minutes—prerequisite being a local vehicle with no loans or modifications. Must bring original ID cards of both parties (temporary residence permit must have at least six months validity), vehicle registration certificate, and tax payment proof. Our local DMV stops vehicle inspections at 3:30 pm, so we recommend going right after lunch. Note that used car transaction invoices must be reissued—those 30-day-old ones found online are invalid. Key point: Always check the vehicle's seizure status before transfer! Last week, a guy bought a mortgaged car and wasted four hours only to be told transfer was impossible—now that’s a real time-waster.
