Is vehicle ownership determined by delivery or registration?

[DiColin]

Vehicle ownership is determined by the transfer of the registration certificate. Generally, both parties will first complete the transfer of the registration certificate before proceeding with the vehicle delivery. From a legal perspective, once the registration certificate transfer is completed, the ownership of the vehicle has already been legally transferred and confirmed. The best practice is to deliver the vehicle immediately after the registration certificate transfer is completed, which can be done on the same day. This allows the new owner to inspect the vehicle beforehand and helps avoid potential misunderstandings. Additional information: Consequences of delivery without registration: If the vehicle has been delivered, it is essential to complete the ownership transfer by updating the registration certificate. Only after the registration certificate is updated can insurance be purchased with greater peace of mind, and annual inspections can be conducted more confidently. After all, the vehicle's license also needs to be updated following the registration certificate transfer; otherwise, in case of an accident, discrepancies between the license and identification documents may arise.