Transferring a Car Title in Virginia
Steps and fees to transfer a vehicle title in Virginia when you buy, sell or inherit a car, and the deadline to register after moving.
Short answer: When a vehicle is sold, the seller records the odometer reading in the title's assignment section and the buyer completes the "Certification of Buyer" section and an Application for Title and Registration, with proof of purchase price (buyer's order, bill of sale or the seller's declared… Virginia DMV, Title Your Vehicle or Trailer
| Transferring a car title | When a vehicle is sold, the seller records the odometer reading in the title's assignment section and the buyer completes the "Certification of Buyer" section and an Application for Title and Registration, with proof of purchase price (buyer's order, bill of sale or the seller's declared price). Private sales of vehicles already titled in Virginia can be completed online through DMV electronic titling if both parties are Virginia residents with myDMV accounts, the sale is one owner to one buyer, and there are no liens. |
|---|---|
| Registering after you move | New residents must title their vehicle within 30 days of moving to Virginia and register it at a DMV customer service center within 30 days, after insuring it. A Virginia driver's license is required within 60 days (30 days for a commercial license). Vehicles must pass an annual safety inspection, and vehicles kept in certain localities must pass an emissions inspection before registration unless they have a valid emissions certificate from the last 12 months. Source: Virginia DMV, New to Virginia |
More Virginia car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Virginia
- Driving Without Insurance in Virginia
- SR-22 Insurance in Virginia
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in Virginia
- All Virginia car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
How do you transfer a car title in Virginia?
When a vehicle is sold, the seller records the odometer reading in the title's assignment section and the buyer completes the "Certification of Buyer" section and an Application for Title and Registration, with proof of purchase price (buyer's order, bill of sale or the seller's declared price). Private sales of vehicles already titled in Virginia can be completed online through DMV electronic titling if both parties are Virginia residents with myDMV accounts, the sale is one owner to one buyer, and there are no liens.
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Virginia?
New residents must title their vehicle within 30 days of moving to Virginia and register it at a DMV customer service center within 30 days, after insuring it. A Virginia driver's license is required within 60 days (30 days for a commercial license). Vehicles must pass an annual safety inspection, and vehicles kept in certain localities must pass an emissions inspection before registration unless they have a valid emissions certificate from the last 12 months.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.