A vehicle license is a document that proves your legal ownership of your vehicle. This document is often referred to as a “title in the United States of America.”
Title documents typically include the following information:
- Vehicle make
- Vehicle Model
- Vehicle Year
- VIN
- Odometer Reading
- Name of Current Owner
- Name of Previous Owner
Vehicle Title Information & Its Uses
This document contains all of this information to ensure the legal and proper transfer of ownership. Additionally, it is also used to keep track of the vehicle’s history. One main reason for having all this information on a title is to prevent fraud. This guarantees the protection of consumers.
VIN Number
The VIN is a unique identification number that can track the vehicle’s history. This includes any accidents or repairs that may have occurred on the vehicle. Buyers need to know this information when purchasing a used vehicle.
This is because it can easily directly affect the vehicle’s value and safety. Furthermore, the names of previous owners are also mentioned in the title.
You can use this to prevent fraudulent sales or ownership disputes. The vehicle transfer should be as smooth as possible, which is why this document plays an important role.
Having all this information on hand makes it simple for the new owner to transfer the vehicle in the new owner’s name. This way, third parties also cannot claim ownership of the vehicle.
Odometer & Related Documents
Odometer reading is also an important piece of information in the title. It can help to keep track of the vehicle’s mileage, thus preventing odometer fraud.
In most states, odometer information must be reported on the title, as many sellers tend to roll back their odometers. This is a federal offense.
Title Transfer/Title Process
The title process is the transferring ownership of a vehicle from one person to another. This can occur when a vehicle is sold or inherited.
To transfer ownership, the new owner must apply for a new title in their name and pay a fee, which varies by state.
On average, title fees in the United States range from $25 to $50. The title process involves several steps and is typically handled by each state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Applications
The first step in this process is to fill out an application form. This is commonly referred to as a “Bill of Sale” or “Transfer of Ownership” form.
This will involve you filling out most of the information listed above. Once the form is completed, the current owner must sign the title over to the new owner.
This occurs by signing the “Assignment of Title” section. You can find this section on the back of the title document. In some states, it is also required that the new owner must also sign the title.
Once done, all you have to do is submit the form and any required documents. This is mostly the vehicle’s current registration and proof of insurance. One such document is the Odometer Statement, a required document in most states.
Odometer Statement
An odometer statement is a statement of the mileage on a vehicle at the time of transfer of ownership. This is yet another document designed to prevent odometer fraud and typically contains the information listed above. The main information it contains is the odometer reading at the time of selling the vehicle and a certification section.
The seller must sign this section. Note that different states have different regulations regarding this document, so make sure that you check in with your local DMV for more accurate information.
Finishing Process & Fees
Once you pay the fees, the DMV takes over, and you should have the transfer of ownership occur in a few days depending on the state that you are in.
It is also important to note that the title process may vary slightly depending on the state in which you reside. Some states allow it to be done online, while others require it to be done in person.
Registration & Renewals
The registration and registration renewal process involves obtaining a vehicle license plate and paying a fee. As you can imagine, this also varies by state. You will find that this fee typically includes the cost of the license plate as well as a yearly registration fee.
Most states have a requirement that the registration must be renewed annually. On top of this, the registrant must provide proof of insurance.
What Happens When A Vehicle Registrant Dies
When a vehicle registrant dies, their vehicle must be transferred to another person. This can be a surviving relative or a person mentioned in their will. Overall, the process is similar to transferring ownership with the additional requirement of further documents.
Obtaining Death Certificates
The first step in this new process is getting the deceased’s death certificate. This document is issued by the county or state where the registrant passed away. It is an essential document to prove that the registrant is dead.
Documents & The DMV
You will then have to go to your local DMV and notify them about the person’s death. You can do this by submitting their death certificate along with a form that carries out the transfer of ownership. You may also be required to provide a will or any other form depending on the state that you are in.
Upon receiving these documents, the DMV begins the transfer process. In this process, the vehicle’s title and registration are updated. If required, the new owner must manage a new nameplate.
Things To Note
In many states, it is the norm that the surviving spouse is automatically listed as the vehicle’s new owner. In other states, this is not the case.
All of this will depend on the state that you are in. Make sure to consult your local DMV in case you have any doubts about the transfer process or to ask if you are eligible to do so.
Vehicle Insurance
Vehicle insurance is a legal requirement in most states and is designed to protect the vehicle owner from financial loss in the event of an accident.
There are several types of vehicle insurance which include the following:
Liability Insurance
This is the most basic insurance you can have on your vehicle. It covers damages to other people’s property and injuries caused by the insurance holder.
Comprehensive Insurance
This insurance covers the damages on a vehicle in any noncollision event, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disaster.
Collision insurance
As the name suggests, it involves insurance against vehicle collisions.
Roadside Assistance Insurance
This insurance can get you out of a jam if you are caught in the middle of nowhere. You get assistance when it comes to towing, dead batteries, and flat tires.
Rental Reimbursement Insurance
This insurance will cover the costs of your rental vehicle.
There are plenty more insurances that you can opt for when it comes to car accidents; however, most of them are not related to the car and to the person driving them.
For this reason, I will not be covering them. However, it is a good idea to have both your car and yourself insured in the event of an accident.
Vehicle Inspections
DMV vehicle inspections are required in most states. These inspections are done so that it can be confirmed that a vehicle is safe to drive on public roads.
When getting an inspection in the DMV, here are the main parts that are likely to get checked:
Brakes
They are no doubt one of the most important aspects when it comes to your car. The inspection checks to see if the brakes are functioning properly.
This is done by checking their stopping distance. Additional checks are done to assess the fluid levels, brake lines, and rotors and see if they are all in order.
Tires
Checked for their safety and legality, their pressure and tread depth are the first to get checked. Once their overall condition is marked as satisfactory, they can proceed with other checks.
Emissions
Each state has standards on how much emissions are to be expected from a vehicle. This is done to keep environmental pollution down to a minimum.
Lights
The lights are simply checked to see if they are in working order. These lights include the headlights, brake lights, taillights, and turn signals of your car. They are also checked for their visibility.
Additional Components
These usually include windshield wipers, airbags, mirrors, and seat belts. This is done to ensure a good driving experience and passenger safety.
One thing to note is that not all of these components may be checked in the state that you are in. Some states may check even more parts of your vehicle, while others may do significantly less.
Regardless, it is your job to ensure that the state of your car is satisfactory in all cases. This will ensure a safe and fun driving experience for you and the passengers in the car.
License Plate Requirements
There should be little doubt in your mind as to what a license plate is. Despite being so well known, not a lot of people know the requirements of a license plate.
The license plate of your vehicle should be clearly visible and readable at all times. Itself plate should be kept clean. There should not be any kind of obstructions that can make it difficult to read it.
You should also make sure that it is properly secured to the vehicle. Each state has its own specific design for license plates. Some states offer standard license plates which can be used for all vehicles.
Others offer different designs for different types of vehicles. Some states also offer special license plates for certain groups. These groups are common:
- Organizations
- Veterans
- Disabled Drivers
What To Do If You Lose Your Driver’s License
No one wants to lose their driver’s license, but you may one day find yourself in a situation where you have lost it entirely. If you lose your driver’s license, you should contact the DMV immediately. Report the loss of your license and request a replacement as soon as possible.
Depending on the state that you are in, you may be able to request a replacement online, but more often than not, you will have to do so in person. You can also request a temporary license while you try and look for your lost license or while you get a new one.
You will be required to pay a fee for a replacement or duplicate license. On top of the fee, you will also have to provide the documents you provided in the first place to get another license.
Make sure you report the loss to the DMV as soon as possible, as the License is a crucial document that its owner should have.
