What is the Green Book for Buying a Car?

[DelMaximus]

The large green book for motor vehicles is the Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate. The 'Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate' is the legal proof of vehicle ownership, kept by the vehicle owner and not carried with the vehicle. It is required to be presented for any vehicle registration procedures such as transfer or change of ownership, and records the relevant details of the vehicle, equivalent to the household registration book for cars. Below are the required documents for motor vehicle registration: 1. Proof of identity of the motor vehicle owner; 2. Proof of origin of the motor vehicle such as the purchase invoice; 3. Proof of compliance for the whole vehicle's factory production or import certificate for imported motor vehicles; 4. Proof of payment of vehicle purchase tax or tax exemption certificate; 5. Proof of compulsory motor vehicle traffic accident liability insurance; 6. Proof of payment or tax exemption for vehicle and vessel tax; 7. Other proofs and certificates required by laws and administrative regulations to be submitted during motor vehicle registration.

[Jeanette]

The green book for a car is actually the vehicle registration certificate, an important document that proves the car truly belongs to you. I've owned several cars, and each time I bought a new one, I received this small green booklet. It records all the vehicle's information, including the model, owner's name, and registration date. If you want to sell the car or transfer it to a family member, you must take the green book to the DMV to complete the procedures; otherwise, the transaction will be invalid. Last year, my friend forgot to bring it, and the transfer process got stuck for half a day. Be careful when storing it—it's best to keep it separate from the vehicle license to avoid the hassle of replacement if lost. In short, it's the car's ID card, so don't lose it.

[Sabrina]

In the automotive industry, the green book is commonly referred to as the registration certificate, which serves as proof of ownership. Based on my experience, dealers always hand it over to buyers upon vehicle delivery, as it contains detailed records of the car. If you're financing a new model, banks may require this booklet as collateral and will only return it after the auto loan is fully repaid. While it's rarely used in daily life, it's mandatory for transactions or ownership transfers to prove the vehicle is registered under your name. I recommend periodically checking its integrity, such as ensuring seals and stamps are clearly visible.

[DavidAnn]

When I first got my driver's license and bought a car, I didn't know what the 'green book' was. Later, I understood it's the vehicle registration certificate, proving your ownership of the car. The bank checks it when you apply for a loan, and you must hand it over to the buyer when selling a used car. Normally, just keep it in a drawer—no need to look at it every day. Remember to store it properly and avoid getting it dirty or wet.

[JohnnyLee]

Legally speaking, the green vehicle registration certificate is the official proof of vehicle ownership issued by the state. Only with it can you be considered the legal owner of the car. When buying or transferring a vehicle, the transaction cannot be completed without it, which may lead to disputes. If lost or damaged, immediately report the loss and apply for a replacement at the vehicle management office—just bring your ID card and a photo of the car. Avoid lending it to others to prevent misuse by criminals. Safety comes first.

[KeiraDella]

When our family bought our first car, the salesperson reminded us to keep the green book safe as it's the vehicle's title certificate. After our child asked about it, we explained: when buying a car with a loan, the bank keeps it until the loan is fully repaid. Normally, we keep it together with the insurance policy, and we need to verify it when getting insurance or during annual inspections. My husband jokingly said that without it, the car wouldn't be ours anymore.