In order to buy a car from out of state in Utah
, you’ll need to transfer the title to Utah. Make sure you get a valid Certificate of Title from the seller, apply for a Utah Title, comply with any required emissions inspections
, and get the car’s VIN or HIN inspected. You’ll also have to pay your vehicle sales taxes
at the DMV. How to buy a car out of state as an Utah resident
If you live in Utah but you just bought a car from another state, you’re probably wondering what you have to do in order to legally register it in Utah
. Luckily, you wouldn’t be the first Utah resident to buy a car out of state, and the process isn’t too complicated. If you live in Salt Lake City
and had to go to Idaho
or Colorado
to get the car you wanted, you’ll have to do an out-of-state title transfer to register it in Utah. The best way to get the ball rolling on this is to make sure you do the sale right. When you go to the DMV to do your out-of-state title transfer, you’ll need the following documentation: Original Certificate of Title
Make sure the Vehicle or Hull Identification Number (VIN/HIN) on the vehicle and title match
Ensure the seller has correctly signed to release ownership of the vehicle
Make sure any liens have been released by the lienholder(s) on the title
Make sure the purchase date is correct
If the vehicle is less than 20 years old, make sure to fill out the odometer disclosure section or Odometer Disclosure (Form TC-891)
. If the seller can't provide the original title, they must complete an Application for Duplicate Utah Title (Form TC-123)
. When you’re at the DMV, you’ll have to complete the Application for Utah Title (Form TC-656)
. Part of the application process is a VIN/HIN inspection to ensure that the identification number is valid and correct. In some cases, you also might be required to get a safety inspection for a car you purchased out of state. A safety inspection suffices as a VIN/HIN inspection required by Utah state law
. If you live in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, Cache, or Utah county, you may also need an Emissions Inspection Certificate. This page on the Utah DMV website
has all the info you need regarding whether or not your car needs an emissions inspection. When you register your car in Utah, you’ll have to pay registration fees and applicable sales taxes
. Fees depend on a number of factors, and taxes will depend on the city you live in, the vehicle’s sale price, and the sales tax rates in the state you purchased it from. You may also need to get a temporary permit from a local DMV office in order to drive the vehicle back to Utah after purchasing it, depending on where you buy it from. In other cases, the bill of sale and certificate of title will be sufficient documentation if you’re pulled over by law enforcement.
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Okay, so let’s flip it around now. Let’s say you buy a car in Utah, but you live in another state. You’ll have to follow the registration process in your state, but there are a few things to make sure of when buying in Utah specifically:
Get a bill of sale (your state might require a notary stamp)
Get the seller’s current registration certificate and current safety and emission certificates
You’ll need to pay local sales tax in the state where you register the vehicle.
What if I don’t have a physical title?
If the physical title isn’t available, you’ll need to fill out an Application for Utah Title (Form TC-656)
. Tips for buying a vehicle out of state
While buying a car from a different state can be a great move—especially if you’re looking for a model that’s hard to find or can take advantage of lower prices in another state—it does add some complication. Here are some tips to make sure things go smoothly:
Get the vehicle history report. This is a key way to make sure you’re not buying a lemon from a private seller. CARFAX
is a service that provides vehicle history reports, and it will let you know of any accidents or issues pertinent to the specific car you’re considering purchasing. Get your vehicle inspected at home. Getting your vehicle inspected after buying it from out of state is the way to go, since you might be required to get an inspection done anyway.
Remember emissions testing! It’s quite possible your title transfer will also require an emissions test, so you might as well get it done.
Research your home state’s vehicle sales tax laws. Remember that you’ll pay taxes in your home state when you register your car, not the state where you buy it.
Buy car insurance before you leave the dealership. Don’t drive home without car insurance! It is illegal to drive a car in Utah without insurance that meets the Utah state minimum requirements
.
How to save on car insurance in Utah
Car insurance
is a key aspect of vehicle ownership and the car buying process regardless of the state you live in, but if you’re trying to get insurance quickly in a pinch, you could end up with a less-than-ideal policy! Car insurance premiums vary greatly between companies, so finding the company that will offer you the best deal can save you hundreds of dollars a year.If you want to make sure you find that perfect deal, use the Jerry
app to do your car insurance shopping for you! Jerry’s trustworthy super app
compares quotes from over 55 of the best insurers for your policy in real-time. In just 45 seconds, you’ll have access to the most competitive quotes with actual personalized price estimates to compare between. And since Jerry is a licensed car insurance broker, you can also use the app to set up your new policy with ease. Just download the Jerry app, fill in your profile, and you’ll be on your way to saving an average of $800+ on your annual premium.
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