Buy and register a vehicle

Buying from a private party

Buying a vehicle can seem daunting. Follow this easy guide to ensure you have followed all the requirements to get a new vehicle. We recommend you meet the seller at a vehicle licensing office to do paperwork and pay them for your vehicle. If a vehicle licensing office isn't an option, meet in a well-lit public area or ask a trusted third party to be there.

Step 1: Do your research before you buy

Before you buy a vehicle, you should look at its history. Use your vehicle's VIN and license plate number to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for recalls and other safety issues.  Your seller may have a detailed vehicle history report including accident and repair history, so don't forget to ask! If not, you can also visit the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) to purchase a vehicle history report with title, insurance loss, and salvage information.You can also take the vehicle to get an independent inspection to ensure it doesn't have any hidden damage. 

Step 2: Get a trip permit

If you are not meeting the seller at a vehicle licensing office, and you will be driving the car without a license plate, you must pre-purchase a trip permit to be able to drive the vehicle legally. A trip permit costs $33 and is valid for 3 days. The trip permit must be purchased in person from a vehicle licensing office.

Step 3: Register your vehicle

Transfer the title

A car title is a document that establishes proof of ownership for a vehicle. Fill out and sign these documents to get your new title:

1. Current vehicle title

The seller will need to provide the vehicle's current title, and it must be signed by all owners of the vehicle. Make sure they bring it and give it to you.

2. Vehicle Title Application

You must complete a Vehicle Title Application to transfer the current title into your name. Do not sign this document until you are in front of a licensing agent at a vehicle licensing office who can notarize it. If you sign before coming to a vehicle licensing office, you must sign in front of a notary.

3. Odometer disclosure

If the vehicle model year is 2011 or newer, you should fill out the Odometer Disclosure section on the title. If the vehicle model year is 2010 or older, you qualify for an odometer exemption and don't have to report the vehicle's odometer miles.

You can get an Odometer Disclosure form at your local vehicle licensing office if you don't have the title. You cannot download this form. We will provide it for you in the office on tamper-proof paper.

4. Bill of sale

You and the seller need to complete the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale form.

Enter the sale price (this is used to calculate the use tax on the vehicle), or Enter zero if the vehicle was a gift or inheritance.

5. Other forms as needed

You may need to submit the following forms:

Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest

Affidavit of Inheritance/Litigation

Contact your local vehicle licensing office for more details.

Submit your forms

When you've taken care of the 4 items above, you can bring your completed forms to:

• A vehicle licensing office and get your title in 6-8 weeks
• A Quick Title office* and get your title immediately in person or within a few business days by mail. Quick Titles have an additional $50 fee.

*Note: Quick Titles aren't available for snowmobiles, vehicles or boats reported as stolen, insurance or wrecker-destroyed vehicles and boats, or vehicles with "WA Rebuilt" on the title.

You may also mail in your completed forms. Please contact your local vehicle licensing office to ensure you have all the correct forms filled out, are paying the correct amount, and to get the address.

Get new license plates

License plates attach to and provide official identification for your vehicle. Since the vehicle has changed ownership, you must get new license plates. Make sure you dispose of your old plates. Plates don't need to be replaced (as long as they're Washington plates) if you got the vehicle from:

• your spouse or domestic partner
• a family member as a gift or inheritance
• a trust in which the registered owner or their immediate family members are beneficiaries of that trust
• or if you're removing a deceased spouse or domestic partner from the title.

Learn more about plate replacement requirements.

Order new vehicle tabs

Vehicle tabs are stickers that you affix to your rear license plate to indicate what month your registration expires each year. They provide proof that you are keeping your vehicle registration up-to-date annually. You can order tabs for your new vehicle at a vehicle licensing office while you are registering your vehicle and getting your new license plates. 

Step 4: Add your new vehicle to your License Express account

After you've confirmed that your vehicle has transferred ownership, add it to your License Express online account. You can use License Express to easily renew your vehicle tabs and your license.

Buying from a dealer

If you buy from a dealer instead of a private party, they will fill out and file paperwork on your behalf. You'll need to show your unexpired Washington (WA) driver license to your dealership so they can register the vehicle in your name, unless you're exempt from getting a driver license under RCW 46.20.025

What to do if a WA state car dealer goes out of business

We can't provide legal advice, but the following may help you resolve matters on transferring the title and registration.

File a complaint

You may file against a dealer if you:

Paid for a vehicle without financing and the dealer didn't give you the title within 45 days of the date of delivery. Finished making payments on a vehicle but the dealer didn't release the title to you. Are in the process of making payments to the dealer for a vehicle but you can't locate the dealer.

How to file a complaint

Here are your options:

• Call us at 360-664-6484.
• Submit a Complaint against Business or Individual online and upload supporting documents.
• Submit a Business and Professions Complaint form and include copies of available supporting documents

Supporting documents

Provide as many of the following supporting documents as possible to help us resolve your complaint:

• Copy of purchase agreement
• Proof of payments:
• Check – copy of front and back of the canceled check
• Cash – a receipt from the dealer showing that the vehicle has been paid in full
• Your copy of the title application. If you financed your vehicle, the title must show the legal owner of record.
• Any documentation of your attempts to obtain the vehicle title or release of interest

After we receive your complaint

We'll review it to see if there's enough information to transfer ownership to you. We may ask you for additional documentation and we'll discuss all possible titling options at that time. Filing a complaint doesn't guarantee you'll be issued a title.