How Long Does It Take to Transfer a Vehicle?
2 Answers
Transferring a vehicle takes 1-7 days. Time for local and out-of-town transfers: For used cars that need to complete transfer procedures locally, the process can usually be completed within one day if all documents are in order. For out-of-town transfers, it is necessary to extract the vehicle's major and minor files, which generally takes 7 working days to complete. Documents required for individual-to-individual transfer: Original and photocopy of the seller's and buyer's ID card; original and photocopy of the vehicle's original purchase invoice or the last transfer invoice; original and photocopy of the vehicle's motor vehicle registration certificate; original and photocopy of the vehicle's driving license; used vehicle sales contract.
Last time I transferred a used car, the whole process took almost a full day. I prepared all the documents a day in advance: ID card, vehicle registration certificate, purchase invoice, and insurance policy. Arrived at the DMV at 9 AM, waited in line for half an hour, and the window processing took about forty minutes to complete. Heard that if documents are incomplete or the place is crowded, it could drag on for days. Factors include how busy the DMV is—weekdays are more efficient, holidays are packed. Remember to update your insurance immediately after the transfer to avoid claim issues. Personal tip: Choose a mid-week workday, make an appointment if possible, saves time and effort. Duration depends on your preparation and local policies—avoid peak hours to prevent hassle.
