Ideally, accompany the buyer or dealer to your local department of motor vehicle or county registrar, and sign over the car title to the new owner and confirm with the registrar that process has taken place. You want your name off the title of the transferred vehicle. The only way to confirm this without a doubt is to participate in person with the title transfer!
IDEALLY HAVE THE NEW OWNER SIGN A PURCHASE AND SALE OR OTHER AGREEMENT IDENTIFYING THE VEHICLE TRANSFERRED, DATE OF TRANSFER, NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS OF THE SELLER, NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS OF THE BUYER, PRICE OF THE TRANSACTION, AND CITE ANY WARRANTY AND/OR DISCLAIMER INFORMATION, AND SELLER RETAIN THE ORIGINAL COPY.
An example for information purposes only form is attached. This form is provided as an example informational courtesy only and in no way represents the dispensing of legal or any other professional advice or opinion. Any person considering this form for their own use does so at their own risk and should consult a relevant professional in one’s state of residence or where the vehicle is transferred for completion of this or a similar formatted vehicle transfer agreement document form.
IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY (BY LETTER, ON-LINE, EMAIL, ETC) IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR STATE’S LAWS OR REGULATIONS, THE STATE MOTOR VEHICLE TITLE REGISTRATION AGENCY THAT YOU HAVE SOLD/TRADED IN YOUR VEHICLE, EFFECTIVE DATE OF TRANSFER, NAME AND CONTACT DETAILS OF THE NEW OWNER.
For example, this process is accomplished in Texas by timely filing on-line form VTR-346, Texas Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification, and receiving back from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle by email, confirmation of such notification of transfer.
REMOVE ANY TOLLROAD STICKERS.
REMOVE THE INSPECTION STICKER.
While the inspection sticker removal is not as critical as the other checklist items, it is suggested as part of a more comprehensive checklist.
REMOVE THE LICENSE PLATES.
CANCEL OR REMOVE VEHICLE FROM EXISTING INSURANCE PLANS.
REMOVE THE VEHICLE FROM ANY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (SUCH AS AAA, AARP, YOUR VEHICLE MAKE SERVICE, ETC).
REMOVE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OR ITEMS FROM THE VEHICLE.
Glove compartment, under seats, in trunk, in spare tire compartment, in center console, stuck between seat bottom and back, under floor board mats, eye glass compartments, back of seat pockets, door side pockets, behind sun visor, behind fold down seats.
Don’t forget those sunglasses!!!
CLEAR GARAGE OPENER CODES (SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSH THE 1ST AND 3RD GARAGE DOOR OPENER BUTTONS AND HOLD UNTIL NOTICE LIGHT BLINKS RAPIDLY).
REMOVE ANY REMOTE GARAGE DOOR OPENERS, OR OTHER SECURITY OPENING DEVICES.
IF THERE ARE TIRE/WHEEL LUG LOCK NUTS, ENSURE THE KEY IS GIVEN TO THE NEW OWNER.
REMOVE ANY VALUABLES HOUSED IN SECRET COMPARTMENTS (SUCH AS UNDER THE HOOD KEY HOLDERS)
REMOVE ANY PORTABLE GPS OR OTHER SECURITY TRACKING DEVICES.
ASSESS WHETHER THE TRANSFERRED VEHICLE REMAINS SUBJECT TO ANY PRE-PAID MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS AND WHETHER OR NOT TRANSFERABLE TO THE NEW OWNER, AND ADVISE THE NEW OWNER OF THE STATUS OF SUCH.
REMOVE ANY DECALS (SUCH AS PARKING STICKERS, UNIVERSITY INSIGNAS, BUMPER STICKERS, ETC).
CLEAR THE RADIO OF ANY STORED PERSONAL INFORMATION (SUCH AS STORED PHONE NUMBERS, ADDRESSES, NAMES, ETC.).
COMPLY WITH ANY RELEVANT OUTSTANDING LOAN AND COLLATERAL LIEN AGREEMENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
ADVISE THE NEW OWNER OF ANY TRANSFERABLE WARRANTIES (SUCH AS TIRES, BATTERY, OTHER VEHICLE PARTS, THAT REMAIN UNDER WARRANTY AFTER THE TRANSFER), THIS INCLUDES ANY MANUFACTURER OR THIRD PARTY EXTENDED MAINTENANCE WARRANTIES.
CANCEL ANY VEHICLE SPECIFIC CONSUMER SERVICES SUCH AS RADIO STATION CONTRACTS, ONBOARD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE GPS TYPE AGREEMENTS.
FILE IF REQUIRED BY LOCAL RULES ANY VEHICLE ODOMETER DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.