by Armando Martinez
Transferring License Plates When Buying a Car
When you purchase a used car in North Dakota, you have the option of transferring the license plates from your old vehicle to the new one if your registration is still current. The process is fairly simple:
1. Remove the license plates from your old vehicle. Make sure that you remove both the front and back.
2. Take the license plates, along with your sellers signed over title of the new vehicle and a copy of your registration to a North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) office.
3. Complete the necessary forms and pay the transfer fee along with any necessary title fees, taxes and service fees.
4. The NDDOT will then transfer the license plates to your new vehicle.
Note that the transfer fee varies depending on the type of license plate you have. For example, standard license plates have a transfer fee of $5, while personalized plates have a transfer fee of $10.
Transferring License Plates When Selling a Car
If you are selling a used car in North Dakota and wish to transfer the license plates to your new vehicle, you must first remove the license plates from the old vehicle. You can then take the license plates, along with the title of your new vehicle and your current registration to an NDDOT office, and complete the necessary forms to transfer the plates. You’ll also need to pay the $5.00 vehicle transfer fee along with any other title fees and taxes.
If you do not plan on transferring the license plates to a new vehicle or cancel the vehicle's insurance, it is important that you surrender the plates to the NDDOT to avoid any potential liability issues. You can do this by visiting an NDDOT office or mailing the plates to the NDDOT. Contact the NDDOT at (701) 328-2725 to learn more about plate surrender requirements.
Conclusion
In North Dakota, transferring license plates when buying or selling a used car in a private party sale is a straightforward process. Just remember to remove the license plates from the old vehicle and take them, along with the title of the new vehicle, to an NDDOT office to complete the necessary forms and pay the transfer fee. By following these steps, you can ensure a smooth transfer of license plates and avoid any potential liability issues.
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.
Start your transaction with Caramel, learn more about how the process works, or reach out to our Support team with any questions.
