Sell a vehicle

Selling a vehicle can be a stressful process. Follow the steps below to meet all the requirements, ensuring a smooth and stress-free sale.

Step 1: Locate the vehicle’s title

Vehicles must have a valid title before they can be sold. If you can’t find your title, get a replacement title. This can take 4 to 8 weeks. If you need it sooner, a quick title may be an option, but it does cost more. An Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest or Affidavit in Lieu of Title is also acceptable. Contact a vehicle licensing office to go over your options.

Step 2: Complete a bill of sale

Before the buyer can apply for a new title and pay fees or taxes on the vehicle, you’ll both need to sign a Bill of Sale, unless the sale price and date are included on the title. Not to be confused with a Report of Sale, the Bill of Sale includes information about the vehicle, as well as the buyer and seller. Each party should keep a copy.

Step 3: Collect payment and sign over the title

We recommend both parties meet at a vehicle licensing office to collect payment and sign over the title. You may want to collect payment from the buyer before signing over the title. 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. If you are not meeting the buyer at a vehicle licensing office, and they will be driving the car without a license plate, the buyer should pre-purchase a trip permit so they can legally drive the vehicle.

Step 4: Remove your license plates

As the seller, you are legally obligated to remove the license plates from your vehicle. This protects you from being held liable for towing charges, parking tickets, speed camera tickets, and toll bills. The old plates may be transferred to a different vehicle you own, but they must be transferred to the same kind of vehicle (car plate to another car, truck plate to another truck). You can also surrender them at a vehicle licensing office. In any case, the buyer can’t use them.

Step 5: Remove your personal items

Protect your privacy and remove anything with your name, address, photo, or other personal information. This could include your registration or proof of insurance, for example.

Step 6: File a Report of Sale

As the seller, you are legally obligated to submit a Report of Sale within 5 days of the sale date. Filing a Report of Sale protects you from being liable for towing charges or civil and criminal liabilities incurred by the new owner. 

You must report the sale of your vehicle if you:

• Sell privately.
• Sell on consignment.
• Sell out of state.
• Trade to a dealer.
• Trade to a private party.
• Gift.
• Donate.
• Give to a wrecking yard.
• Turn over to an insurance company.
• Dispose of your vehicle.

A registered Washington vehicle dealer may file on behalf of an owner who trades in, sells, or otherwise transfers ownership to the dealership. It is the responsibility of the owner to confirm the report of sale was submitted.

Collect your information

To file the report, you'll need the following information:

• License plate number (include all letters and numbers on the plate)
• Date of the sale or transfer
• Sale price (enter zero if gift or inheritance)
• Name and address of the person or organization who took ownership of the vehicle
• VIN (vehicle ID number)

Make sure everything is correct before you file. If you find an error, you'll have to visit a vehicle licensing office to explain the error. The report will be deleted, and you'll need to file a new one.

How to file

You can file online, in person, or by mail. Please make sure your report is complete or you could be held liable for any financial, criminal, or civil liabilities that the new owner may incur.

Online

• Report the sale of your vehicle without logging in, or
• Join or log into License Express to report the sale from your account.

In person or by mail

1. Fill out the Vehicle Report of Sale form
2. Include a check for the $13.25 fee made out to "Department of Licensing"
3. Mail or bring the form and check to the vehicle licensing office of your choice

Make sure you keep a copy of the Report of Sale form for your records after you've filed. It may take 7 to 10 business days for processing after we receive your documents. 

Step 7: Remove the vehicle from your License Express account

After you've confirmed that your vehicle has transferred ownership, make sure you remove it from your License Express online account. When you log in, click on the vehicle you want to remove. In the menu under "I Want To," click the "remove from list" button.