When you purchase a new or used vehicle from a dealership, your sales representative walks you through the paperwork, and there usually isn’t that much of a question about the tags.
But what if you buy a car privately, from an individual? And what if you sell a car privately? Knowing how to properly handle tags—also called registration plates—in private sales transactions can make all the difference in having a smooth vehicle sale.
Are the rules different if the sale is to or from a family member?
A common question people ask is whether or not the rules about how to handle your auto tags in a private sale varies when you are selling to or buying from a family member. In the state of Pennsylvania, there is no difference in what is required to go through the process of a private vehicle sale whether the parties involved are related to each other or not.
One note to keep in mind, however, is that if the car is being given as a gift (whether to a family member or not), there are certain forms that need to be filled out. A professional auto tags service provider can direct you in the event that you are dealing with a gifted vehicle.
What does the seller do with the tags?
If you are selling your car as a private individual to another person, here’s what you need to know about the tags:
- Remove the tags from the car you are selling.
- Do not give them to the person who is buying the car.
- You can either transfer the tags to another vehicle you own, or you can return them to PennDOT.
How do you get tags if you are buying a car from a private individual?
If you are buying a car from a private individual, here’s what you need to know about the tags:
- If you already have tags, you can transfer them to your newly purchased car.
- If you don’t have tags, you can apply for new ones. In this case, you can apply for temporary registration that is valid for 90 days while you are waiting for your plates.
Private vehicle sales in Pennsylvania can be easy when you know what’s required of you as a buyer or seller. Talk to your trusted auto tags agent today for help with your next vehicle transaction.