If you live in Virginia
and purchase a new vehicle from an out-of-state dealership or private seller, you’ll have to transfer the original title to the Virginia DMV and pay the vehicle titling fee. The car buying process is enough of a headache as it is—and that’s before you add the caveat that the car you’re buying is in another state. Fortunately,Jerry
whipped up this useful guide for navigating the out-of-state vehicle purchasing and titling process in Virginia. Whether you need help transferring your title or you’re just curious as to how much the fee is, Jerry can tell you all about it.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers How to buy a car out of state as a Virginia resident
So you’re currently in Virginia, but the car you just purchased isn’t. Where do you go from here? Well, you’re going to have to register the vehicle, pay any title or registration fees, and have the original out-of-state title transferred to Virginia. The process is fairly simple, but like anything having to do with the DMV, it has to be done a certain way.
First, you’ll have to fill out the VSA 17A Certificate of Title and Registration
. You’ll also need a valid proof of address
and the previous owner's out-of-state title signed over to you. If the vehicle you purchased was owned by the original seller for less than twelve months, you’ll also need the following proof of purchase price: A bill of sale
(can be a handwritten document signed by the seller and buyer)
The next major step is the payment of fees. The required fees are as follows:
Note that if you are exempt from the sales and use tax, then you need to either bring proof of your exemption status or fill out the Purchaser's Statement of Tax Exemption
. After that, the process continues with the odometer disclosure statement
. Unless the vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure, then the seller will have to record the mileage in either the “assignment” section of the title or on an official odometer statement
. The final part of the out-of-state purchasing, titling, and registration process is to choose between an electronic or paper title. The Virginia DMV gives you the option of either receiving a physical paper copy of your vehicle title or keeping a digital copy in the DMV’s registry. If you ever need or want a physical copy, you can simply visit a customer service center—just make sure to bring your valid proof of ownership.
Once you’ve filled out all the documents, gathered all the paperwork, and amassed enough money to pay the fees, you’ll have five possible methods to get your new title from the DMV
Drop off
(no waiting, pick up in 3-5 days)Mail
(delivery times vary)
Keep in mind that you’ll have up to 30 days to get your new vehicle properly titled and registered. Once all that is said and done, the rest of the process is the same as always—you’ll put on license plates, get a safety inspection sticker, and register with your city or county (if necessary).
How to buy a car in Virginia if you live out of state
So how does the process change if you’re buying a car in Virginia, but don’t actually live there? Well, the method is more or less the same, although it can change slightly depending on where you plan to register the vehicle. For the most part, though, you’ll have to:
Procure a bill of sale for the vehicle purchase (depending on where you live, the bill of sale might need to be notarized)
Bring the bill of sale to your nearest DMV location, along with any other documents you might need (ID, proof of residence, odometer statement, etc.)
Finalize your vehicle registration in your specific state of residency
In addition, you might have to pay either the local sales tax or cover the difference between the Virginia sales tax and the state where you’ll be registering your vehicle.
What if I don’t have a physical title?
As mentioned above, the Virginia DMV gives you the option of being provided with a physical copy of your vehicle’s title or keeping a digital copy in the DMV archives. If you ever want or need a physical copy, all you need to do is visit a DMV location and they’ll furnish you with one once you provide proof of ownership.
Tips for buying a vehicle out of state
There are several reasons why you might be interested in purchasing an out-of-state vehicle. Maybe the car you want isn’t available in your home state, or the prices in the state next door are simply too good to beat. Whatever the case may be, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:
Always check the vehicle history report. If you’re buying a used car from a private seller, this is especially important. You can get an in-depth report of the vehicle’s accident history, repair logs, and more by using CARFAX
and other auto history services. Schedule your vehicle inspection at home. Remember that your car needs to pass inspection in the state where you live, not the one where you purchased it. Take a look at the Virginia car inspection checklist
here. Remember the emissions test. Passing an emissions test
is a required part of the car buying process in Virginia. Take a look at the vehicle sales tax laws for your home state. As we mentioned earlier, you’ll pay sales tax to the state where you live and your car is registered, not the state where you bought the car.
Get some car insurance before leaving the dealership! If you have to drive back to your home state, you need to make sure you’re covered by insurance before you hit the road. At the very least, you should meet the Virginia minimum insurance requirements
.
“I moved states recently and my old provider didn’t cover me anymore, so I tried using Jerry
. They handled everything from fetching the quotes to purchasing the new policy. Now I save $30 a month with Progressive!” —Kay J.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 
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