The procedures and approach for selling a car online vary by state. Discover how to sell your used car or truck in Georgia confidentially.
If you live in Georgia's Coastal Plain, Piedmont, or Blue Ridge region and want to sell your old vehicle or truck privately, you've come to the perfect location. With over 3 million registered trucks and vehicles in Georgia, it's no surprise that thousands of individual car owners in the Peach State have utilized Cashforcarsinc to sell their vehicles. We've explained the five stages and papers needed to sell a car in Georgia so you can sell your automobile fast and for the maximum money.
It is vital to note that it is unlawful in Georgia for private persons to sell numerous automobiles or vehicles other than those registered to them. In 2013, 60 percent of automobile transactions in Georgia were between private parties. This is why hundreds of thousands of Georgia private vehicle owners have used Autotrader to sell their vehicles. Georgia considers the car title to be a legal document, thus both parties' legal names (no nicknames) should be included, along with readable handwriting in black or blue ink. Mistakes and the use of white-out may invalidate the document, so fill it out carefully and slowly.
The Fundamentals of Selling a Car in Georgia
Take note of the following Georgia regulations regulating private automobile sales.
Private individuals in Georgia are prohibited from selling more than one automobile in their name.
Because the car title is a legal document, both parties' legal names must be mentioned. No nicknames are allowed.
Fill out documents in readable handwriting using black or blue ink. Errors and the use of white-out may render the document null and invalid.
Step 1: Organize and collect all vehicle documents
Find all maintenance records, the owner's manual, and other vehicle papers. If the buyer intends to register the vehicle in one of the following metro Atlanta counties: Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, or Rockdale, this must contain a current and valid Georgia Vehicle Emissions Inspection Report (VIR). All private dealers of gasoline-powered vehicles and light-duty trucks within these counties are required by Georgia law to sell a vehicle with a current, valid passing emissions report supplied by Georgia's Clean Air Force. Exempt are diesel or alternative fuel cars, as well as vehicles 25 model years or older.
Step 2: Transfer your license plate and transfer the title
The seller must print and sign their entire legal name on the reverse side of the original title. If the title has two or more owners mentioned, all owners must print and sign their legal names. The purchaser must provide his or her full legal name, current address, and the date of sale, including month, day, and year, as well as validate the vehicle's odometer reading at the time of sale. Remember that you cannot make any changes or modifications to the title document; otherwise, you must fix the title. A penalty fee will also be applied if the purchase date is amended or altered. Standard license plates and specialty (or prestige) license plates are retained by the seller, so remove them from the car before the transaction is completed.
If the original title is lost or stolen, the seller must fill out and sign a lost or stolen title application form MV-1 and pay the applicable costs at his or her local county tag office before selling the vehicle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) odometer disclosure standards, which affect some private car purchases in Georgia, were revised in December 2020: Any vehicle of the model year 2011 or newer (2012, 2013, etc.) that is transferred between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2030, will require an odometer disclosure. Odometer disclosure will be required for all vehicles less than 20 model years old beginning January 1, 2031. Previously, the NHTSA only mandated disclosure for the first ten years. Cars manufactured before 2010 are exempt from odometer disclosures.
Step 3: Cancel the registration of the car
Sellers can terminate their vehicle's registration in two ways:
Online with the Georgia DRIVES e-Service
Form MV-18J, Application for Voluntary Registration Cancellation, must be completed and signed.
Both will ask you to enter your vehicle's license plate, or VIN (vehicle identification number), and Georgia's driver's license number, which is a nine-digit number on your license preceded by the initials "DL NO." To avoid fines or penalties, Georgia suggests that car owners terminate their registration before discontinuing their insurance coverage.
Step 4: Cancel Your Insurance
You can terminate your auto insurance coverage once you have canceled your registration. You may be eligible for a prorated return for the period of time remaining on your policy, particularly if you pay every six months rather than monthly. However, you should check with your insurance carrier to make sure there are no cancellation fines.
You must cancel your insurance coverage within 30 days of selling your automobile.
Step 5: Prepare a Bill of Sale
The final step in completing your Georgia private party automobile sale is to submit a bill of sale (Form T-7). This is an official document issued by the Georgia Department of Revenue that should be utilized in all private-party automobile transactions. You can fill it out with the buyer after downloading it online.
Both parties must fill out and sign the bill of sale with their details. This agreement protects both parties in the case of misunderstandings. You can also get the bill of sale notarized, although this isn't required by the state.
The Easier Way to Sell Your Car
Now that you've learned everything there is to know about selling a car in Georgia, it's time to determine where to list it. It is simple to sell your car with Cashforcarsinc. With ready-to-sign state documentation, encrypted chat, and more, our platform provides all the tools and recommendations you need to make the transaction a breeze.
