by Armando Martinez
Introduction
If you're looking to register a car that was purchased privately, the process is fairly straightforward. You'll need to provide certain documents and pay the appropriate fees before receiving your new registration card. You’ll have 90 days to complete this from the date you purchased the vehicle. The following information will help you understand what documentation is required when selling a car privately in Connecticut:
- The vehicle must be titled with DMV before being registered here; this ensures that there are no outstanding liens on it (liens must be cleared before registering).
- If there's no lien on the title, then simply bring proof of ownership (such as an original bill of sale) and proof of insurance coverage for at least six months after registration date (such as an insurance card).
Step 1: Gather the Required Documents
Step 1: Gather the Required Documents
- CT DMV bill of sale
- CT DMV transfer registration
- CT DMV title transfer
- Proof of insurance (if you have it)
- Proof of identity
- Vehicle Emissions Test (if titled out of state)
- Vehicle Inspection (if titled out of state)
Step 2: Fill Out the Paperwork
The next step is to fill out all of the paperwork. You'll need to fill out a title transfer form, bill of sale form and registration application form. The seller will also need to sign these forms before you can register your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Step 3: Submit the Paperwork
- Submit the title transfer form.
- Submit the bill of sale form.
- Submit the registration application form, which you can find online here or at your local DMV office. You'll need to include:
- The vehicle identification number (VIN) from your car's registration card as well as its make and model year;
- Your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number; and
- A copy of your driver's license or state ID card (if applicable).
Step 4: Obtain the License Plates
Once you have the title and registration, you can obtain the license plates. You will need to take them to your local DMV office and pay a $50 fee for each set of plates. The DMV will then issue you two stickers: one for each side of your car's windshield, which must be displayed at all times when driving on public roads in Connecticut.
Once you have these items in hand, it's time to attach them to your vehicle!
Gifting a Car in Connecticut
To gift a car in Connecticut, you'll need to fill out a DMV gift form and bring it with you when you go to register your vehicle. The following documents will also be required:
- Proof of identity (driver's license)
- Proof of insurance
Registering a Classic Vehicle in Connecticut
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) classifies a classic vehicle as a vehicle older than 20 years. You’ll be required to fill out two forms in order to register your classic vehicle. The first is the CT DMV title transfer form, which should be completed and returned with your payment for registration fees. You will also need to complete the CT DMV registration application form and submit it along with proof of identity, proof of insurance and documentation proving that your car meets all state requirements for registration as an antique or classic vehicle.
Conclusion
If you have purchased a car from a private owner, the process for registering it in Connecticut is similar to that of buying from a dealer. The first step is to gather all of your paperwork and present it at your local DMV office.
Once there, you will need:
- A copy of the title (if applicable)
- Proof of insurance coverage (usually provided by one's auto insurance company). If you don't have insurance yet, check out our guide on how to get cheap car insurance in CT!
If you're selling your vehicle privately instead of transferring its ownership over through an official sale with another individual or business entity, then there are some additional steps involved in getting everything sorted out before taking off down Route 66 with your new ride! If you have any more questions, please visit the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles website.
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.
