by Armando Martinez
Transferring License Plates in New Jersey
When selling a car in a private party sale in New Jersey, the seller is required to remove the license plates from the vehicle before the new owner takes possession. The seller should keep the license plates for their records or transfer them to another vehicle they own. If the seller wants to transfer the license plates to the new vehicle, they must do so within 10 days of removing them from the old vehicle. The registration must be current and plates in the name of the owner in order to do so. They’ll need to take the license into the DMV along with their registration, driver’s license or government issued ID and insurance.
If the buyer already has their own license plates, they can simply remove the plates from their old vehicle and transfer them to the new vehicle at the DMV. The registration must be current and plates in the name of the owner. If the buyer needs new license plates, they can get them at the DMV by providing their seller’s signed over title, driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. The DMV will issue the new license plates and registration card on the spot.
If either the seller or the buyer chooses to not transfer their license plates, you must surrender them to your local NJ MVC office or mail them to: Motor Vehicle Commission, POB 129, Trenton, NJ 08666. You may be entitled to a registration refund. For more information, you can review the NJ MVC Refund Application.
License Plate Fees in New Jersey
The cost of transferring license plates in New Jersey is $4.50. If the buyer needs new license plates and registration, the fee is $71.50. If the buyer wants to get a personalized license plate, there is an additional fee of $50. For more information on license plates offered by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission check out their web page.
Conclusion
Registering your vehicle and transferring your license plates may seem like a small detail, but it's an important part of the process when buying or selling a car in a private party sale in New Jersey. It's important to make sure all the paperwork is properly filled out and transferred to avoid any potential issues down the road. By following the steps outlined above, you can ensure a smooth registration process for your new vehicle. For more information check out the NJ MVC vehicle page.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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