Selling paperwork and plates questions

[LeoS]

Originally Posted by RedLdr1

I'm not a "seasoned expert" but I've sold a few vehicles. First, take the cash! A certified bank check can be faked so unless they are willing to wait until the check clears your bank, which can take several days, cash is best! It is the simplest solution.

As for the plate you need to keep it. They can make, or get, a temporary plate for the trailer. A dated notarized "Bill Of Sale" should satisfy any inquiring minds along their way home if they are pulled over. Depending on what state they are in they may be able to get a "real" temporary plate from their DMV...

That's how I'd do it...

RedLdr1 is exactly correct (on everything mentioned)...for the state of Georgia. As others have said...your state may differ.

[BBC Cobra]

I think a dated and notarized bill of sale would buy you ten days grace period to move the trailer without a tag. I personally would never accept any kind of check, cash or electronic funds transfer by their bank to your bank is the safest way to go.

[CoMaddMax]

I have driven a few trucks bought at auction and I just print out "In Transit" as long as your paper work is in order I have never had any problems. I also did this with my parents 5th wheel trailer when our parents passed away and my sister threw away the plate. (We don't speak any more...)

[JPin AZ]

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

There is absolutely no need to ever prove you sold anything or to whom. (Other than some firearms transfers in a couple of the Occupied States.)

"I sold it to some guy." is an adequate answer to any questions. No chain of custody is required.

-- Chuck

You might not have to but it can protect yourself. Here in Phoenix we have photo radar and red light cameras. What if they use your car to rob a bank or get involved in a hit and run. Reporting the sale will keep your name from being the first one they come looking for. Not so much when selling a trailer.

[jayandmarji]

Last year I purchased an RV in Florida from a private party. We met at the bank and transferred funds. I then took the signed title to Florida DMV to get temp. plate to transport to my state, North Carolina. Florida required me to pay sales tax (at North Carolina rate) to get temp tag. Upon going to NC DMV they wanted sales tax again and said you only get the Florida tax credit if you bought from a dealer. They said to write Florida for a refund. It took six months and many back and forth forms to get my monet back from Florida. I now understand you can drive it without plate as long as you are going to home from where you purchased. Be sure to call your insurance company and get insurance card before getting on the road.

[W5CI]

Take the Cash, give them a Bill of sale along with the signed title and keep your tags and registration. tell them to have a safe trip and enjoy their new camper. Cashiers checks if the biggest scam going on, if you accept a bad one you are on the hook for it. and just lost your rig. or have the money wire transferred to your bank. but CASH is Best

[67L48]

Originally Posted by gptraveler

So many replies here and they go in several directions.

• Massachusetts DOT site doesn't have anything to guide me. [...]

You mean besides the published drivers manual? The manual discusses titling, registration, and other things, too. Particularly, check out page 147.

Or maybe this resource for canceling registration? You can also meander around here, clicking the various links, and learn more about the situation.

This form from Mass DOT shows a Bill of Sale isn't required. However, I always recommend one. It lets you establish the terms of the sale. A signed title may bear witness to the fact that title/ownership was passed, but it is silent on any terms of that transaction. The Bill of Sale can define warranties and other terms.

I spent 5 minutes on Google and found tons of relevant MA guidance, so I'm puzzled by your statement to the contrary.

As mentioned here many, many, many times: remove your plates. The new owners aren't entitled to your registration, can't use it legally, and don't need it.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by W5CI

Take the Cash, give them a Bill of sale along with the signed title and keep your tags and registration. tell them to have a safe trip and enjoy their new camper. Cashiers checks if the biggest scam going on, if you accept a bad one you are on the hook for it. and just lost your rig. or have the money wire transferred to your bank. but CASH is Best

Can't you report your RV stolen if the cashiers check turns out to be bad?

[S.kimbruce]

In Oklahoma, the plate belongs with the vehicle for now, anyway. Just another thought.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by S.kimbruce

In Oklahoma, the plate belongs with the vehicle for now, anyway. Just another thought.

That changes July 1st.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Everyone on this site is an expert so you need to check with your DMV or whatever entity handles rv's such as yours as to what to do. I'm not an expert but I would take cash though.

From post #8 to the OP. See what I mean.

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by Eric H.

Why is everyone so worried about the plates going with the rig? A bill of sale and release of liability is all you need. Just because you remove the plate does not mean the VIN is not traceable back to you.

Unless you live in one of four states where plates stay with the vehicle, and a fifth state where it is optional, you must remove the plates on the sale of the item. The below listed web sites indicate, state by state, what should be done with plates on sale or disposal. Oklahoma is changing their rule. Note also that vanity plates, specialized plates, disability plates may have separate rules by state. This should help clarify the issue.

https://kfor.com/2019/04/03/license-...tags-with-you/

https://www.quora.com/How-many-state...-when-its-sold

https://www.junkcarmedics.com/50-sta...e-plate-rules/

https://www.etags.com/blog/register-...ar-in-florida/

There are a couple other pointers that may help when buying/selling interstate. When I retired (the first time), we were living in Illinois and were planning on moving to Florida immediately upon retirement. DW was planning to buy a new car in Wisconsin. We asked the dealer to arrange the car be registered in Florida and that we would pay sales tax to Florida. They managed to do it without actually having residence as-yet. The license plates were sent to our Illinois address. That avoided paying sales taxes in two states. At that time there was also a hefty FL special fee for licensing a vehicle registered in another state. Doing the research, that saved us several hundred dollars and it was done above board.

The same applies when buying a vehicle, RV from a dealer or auction in another state. The dealer will register the item in your state and the dealer will charge you for taxes in the state you reside. At auctions, the auctioneer will usually collect taxes for their state. However, when you tell them you are registering out-of-state, they waive collecting taxes. Your state DMV collects the tax when registering.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by upflying

Yes, Ca requires plates but I see many vehicles without plates in the SF Bay Area.

I'm pretty sure that's because Undocumented folks are exempt from DMV fees and Insurance Premiums in CA due to their sanctuary status.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by upflying

Some states require you to retain your plate and others require the plate to stay on the vehicle.
Your state DMV website will explain what you need to do.
Cashiers/bank checks can be forged.

And yet "Cashier's Checks" are considered "Good Funds" when going through the closing process for a Real Estate transaction.

Insist that the Cashier's Check be issued by a major bank, not a convenience store, and do the deal during bank business hours. A call to the bank can "validate" the check as they will have a record of it's number and the amount it was issued for.

As for plates and paperwork, that will always depend on the state(s).

Where I live getting your name off the vehicle title will require re-titling in the purchasers name but actual liability can be negated by filing a report of sale online with the DMV. This is a legal notice that you've sold to another party and the paperwork is catching up. I even did this when I traded a vehicle in with a Dealer. Took about 3 minutes online with our DMV. You just need to make sure you have correct information for new owner. Probably not a bad idea to take a picture of their Driver's license for future proof if ever called on for it.

[RacerRalph]

I didn't see anyone mention the sellers insurance. Before leaving the bank, the seller needs to call and cancel the insurance on the unit.

[Chuck_S]

Seller can do that anytime, even weeks afterwards.

-- Chuck