The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) processes title transfers as privately owned vehicles are sold from one owner to the next. The following information helps to clarify the process for selling a titled and registered vehicle in Nebraska.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Basics?
- How do I Sign the Title?
- What if I’ve Lost the Title?
- What Information is Included in the Bill of Sale?
- Why do I Need to Include the Odometer Reading?
- Why do I Need a Bill of Sale?
- May I Transfer Plates?
- What if I Don’t Transfer Plates to a New Vehicle?
- How do I, as Executor, Transfer the Car to an Heir?
What Are the Basics?
A Nebraska motor vehicle title affirms who owns a private passenger vehicle as well as the make, model and year of the vehicle in question. The title includes a VIN number and a location for an odometer reading.
How do I Sign the Title?
The title has locations where the owner or owners can print and sign their names when selling or otherwise transferring ownership to someone else. The title also has a location where the buyer can print his or her name and sign and date the transaction. You can include the selling price along with a bill of sale indicating transaction amount. The DMV will assess a motor vehicle tax based on the selling price that the buyer must pay in addition to titling fees and registration costs to title and register the vehicle for use on public roads.
What if I’ve Lost the title?
If you have lost the title or it otherwise has been destroyed or is unreadable, you can obtain a duplicate title from your local county treasurer’s office. You must complete and submit an application for a duplicate certificate of title and pay a $14 fee.
What Information is Included in the Bill of Sale?
The bill of sale lists the VIN number, make, model and year of manufacture, the seller and the buyer, It also enables you to list the selling price and date the transaction.
Why do I Need to Include the Odometer Reading?
The odometer reading helps to identify the actual mileage from one owner to the next. It also helps to thwart potential fraud by preventing future owners from rolling back the odometer or otherwise lying about the actual mileage.
Why do I need a Bill of Sale?
The bill of sale helps to affirm a vehicle that you owned has been sold and you no longer are the owner or liable for its use. If the buyer were to get into an accident while using the vehicle and prior to transferring it into his or her name, the bill of sale is proof that you do not own it – even if state records indicate otherwise.
May I Transfer Plates?
If you have another vehicle that you own that is not registered, you could transfer the license plates to that vehicle. The license plates never are transferrable to the buyer of the vehicle.
What if I Don’t Transfer Plates to a New Vehicle?
If you do not transfer the plates to another vehicle that you own, you must return the plates to the Nebraska DMV. You can do so at any DMV service center.
How do I, as Executor, Transfer the Car to an Heir?
An estate executor has the legal power to transfer ownership of property for which he or she is responsible. When transferring a car to an heir, the executor can sign it and transfer the title in the same manner required for any buyer of a privately owned vehicle in Nebraska.