Transferring a Car Title in North Carolina

Anyone buying, selling, gifting or donating a vehicle must transfer ownership by a title transfer at a license plate agency or by mail. The seller and buyer both complete the back of the original title, including the buyer's name and address, sale date, seller's signature and printed name, odometer reading if required, and a damage disclosure statement; a North Carolina title must be notarized. The buyer pays highway-use tax (transfers between spouses, parent and child, or stepparent and stepchild are exempt with Form MVR-613) and either pays property tax at registration or defers it for 60 days. Proof of liability insurance is needed only if the vehicle is also being registered. A seller whose sold vehicle still appears on their registration file can request cancellation with a notarized Form MVR-46F. Title applications normally take 10 to 15 business days.

New residents who plan to drive must get a North Carolina driver's license within 60 days of establishing a permanent residence, and must also title and register their vehicles; the license or ID must be obtained before titling and registering. NCDMV also says to register the vehicle when you start gainful employment or when the reciprocity period from your prior state ends (usually 30 days), whichever comes first. Written and road tests may be waived with a valid out-of-state license. Registration requires the title (or registration card if a lender holds it), Form MVR-1, Form MVR-180 odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 years old, and North Carolina insurance (out-of-state policies are not accepted). No inspection is required for the initial registration, but one is required before renewal.