We've already written up guides for how to purchase a used vehicle, how to buy a used vehicle with bad or no credit, and what to practice later on ownership a auto. But since there are a lot of specifics unique to each country, today we're discussing what you demand to know well-nigh ownership, titling, and registering a vehicle in Tennessee.

How to Buy a Vehicle in Tennessee

If you are purchasing a vehicle in Tennessee, you volition demand to know some specific information for the proper transfer of ownership into your name.

Instructions for ownership a vehicle in Tennessee differ depending on if you are purchasing from a dealership or a private seller.

While it tin be more expensive to purchase a motorcar from a dealership, information technology is a much safer and easier process. It tin besides be cheaper to purchase from a dealership depending on the individual seller and common private seller scams. Withal, there are many steps to take before you sign the last papers. Read our Machine Buyer's Guide and do your homework showtime.

Purchasing from a Dealership

If y'all are purchasing a vehicle from a dealership, here is what yous'll need to successfully transfer buying in one get:

  • Government issued photo ID, such equally a valid commuter'south license.
  • Proof of income, proof of residence, and proof of insurance. Contact the dealership before you go for specific requirements.
  • If a trade-in is in order, don't forget your vehicle'due south title (or payoff information), valid and current vehicle registration, and all keys/remotes. Learn more about selling or trading in your used vehicle to a dealership.

The dealership will provide yous with:

  • A Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), only if the vehicle hasn't yet been titled in Tennessee. This won't employ if yous are purchasing a used vehicle.
  • Current championship, only if the vehicle is used and has already been titled.
  • Invoice from the dealer that shows the total purchase price, which is used to make up one's mind sales tax.

Buying a used vehicle from a dealership is a lot easier and less time-consuming than purchasing from a private seller. When you deal with a dealership such as Automobile Unproblematic, nosotros will handle all of the DMV-related paperwork including championship transfers, registration, and any related fees.

After all questions are answered and the paperwork is signed, you volition receive the keys and copies of all the documents. You simply bulldoze abroad in your new certified pre-owned vehicle, with all the important documents in the glove box.

Purchasing from a Private Seller

Before yous remember about purchasing a car from a individual seller, brand sure yous are aware of all the risks.

You will demand sure documents and assurances from the private seller earlier yous can properly transfer ownership.

Here are the TN Section of Revenue ( DOR ) requirements for titling and registering your vehicle after purchase:

  • Signed and completed title.
  • Odometer Disclosure Argument (Course RV-F1317001). Learn more about odometers and odometer fraud.
  • Purchase price.
  • Sale date.

Never buy a vehicle from a individual seller if they don't have a title. If they don't have a championship, they must utilise for a new title by completing a Duplicate Title Application (Form RV-F1321801).

For more information on transferring championship data, read the DMV Guide to Title Transfer in Tennessee.

How to Transfer a Championship in Tennessee

Here are the steps for transferring a championship from a private seller (via DMV.org ):

  • Get a properly assigned championship and Odometer Disclosure Statement from the previous owner.
  • Bring the paperwork to your local county clerk's function.
  • Provide proof of ID and residency.
  • A re-create of your current registration if you are transferring current license plates to the new car.
  • A completed Affirmation of Not-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats (Grade RV-F1301201)—For tax exempted DMV title transfers only (such every bit a gift or a qualifying relative of previous owner).
  • Pay any applicable fees and sales taxes.

If you lot are new to the land of Tennessee, you will need to title and annals your car with the Vehicle Services Division (DVS) at your local county clerk's office.

Make sure you bring:

  • Electric current out-of-landregistration.
  • Out-of-statetitle certificate.
    • If yous are making payments on your motorcar, and have a lien hold, you must provide yourlender'southward proper name and accost.
  • Emissions test document (if applicable).
  • Proof of identification and residency.
  • Payment for the championship transfer fee (varies by county).

How to Annals a Vehicle in Tennessee

Registering your vehicle is necessary whenever you purchase a vehicle or move to a new country, such as Tennessee. If you are purchasing from a dealership, they should be able to title and register your machine for y'all.

Requirements for registering a new vehicle:

  • Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
  • Your new machine'sinvoice.
  • Copy of yourcurrent registration (if you are transferring license plates from your previous car).
  • Proof of identification.
  • Proof of residency.
  • Payment for your titling fees (vary past county).

Requirements for registering a used vehicle:

  • Title
  • Proof of identity and residency
  • Odometer Disclosure Statement (if purchased from a private seller)
  • Payment for registration fees
  • Some counties require an emissions inspection BEFORE registration

If you lot are transferring a vehicle title from a private Tennessee seller, visit your local canton clerk with the post-obit information:

  • Properly assigned (past the seller)championship document.
  • Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form RV-F1317001).
  • Re-create of yourcurrent registration, if you aretransferring your electric current license plates to your new automobile.
  • A completed Affirmation of Non-Dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats (Course RV-F1301201)—For revenue enhancement exempted DMV title transfers only (see beneath).
  • Proof of passedemissions test, if applicable.
    • If the vehicle registration is up for renewal and you live in a required testing county, you or the seller volition likely need to accept the machine tested prior to a change of ownership.
  • Adequate proofs of residency and identity.
  • Payment for applicative title transfer fees (varies by TN county).

Notation: If you are purchasing your vehicle from a private seller and the vehicle is upwardly for registration renewal, and so you volition want to have the car inspected and requite the paperwork to the buyer before buy. Or accept them go the car inspected themselves.

Don't Buy a Lemon!

Never purchase a vehicle from a private seller or used car dealership without obtaining a vehicle history study ( CarFax ) outset. This document will tell you all the data y'all demand to make sure the car isn't a clunker.

How to Renew Your Vehicle'southward Registration

Residents of Tennessee who already accept a registration should cheque out the registration renewal folio.

  • Submit your passed emissions test data (if your canton requires it)
  • Electric current or most recentout-of-state registration.
  • Your out-of-state title.
    • Bring the proper name and address of the lienholder if you take a loan out on the vehicle.
  • Identification (such as U.S. driver'south license, nascence document, military ID, etc.).
    • The DOR provides a full list of acceptable identification documents.
  • Proof of residency (rental or mortgage understanding, utility bill, paycheck stub, etc.).
    • Click for full list of acceptable proofs of residency in Tennessee.
  • Payment for all required fees.

Visit DMV.org for more information on title transfers and registrations in Tennessee.

You May Not Accept to Go out Domicile!

You may be able to complete many of these tasks without leaving the comfort of your habitation. Visit the Tennessee DOS online services page for more data.

Remember, the Tennessee Department of Acquirement (DOR) is the place to go to consummate well-nigh processes that involve your machine, truck, or motorbike:

  • Vehicle registration
  • Titles
  • License plates

Looking to sell your used vehicle? Cheque out our guide for selling your used vehicle to a dealership.

If y'all have whatsoever questions about the requirements for titles, registration, license plates, and more than, contact the Tennessee Section of Safety and Tennessee Department of Revenue:

TN DOS Contact Info

Principal Office: (615) 251-5166

Mailing address:

Tennessee Department of Safety
P.O. Box 945
Nashville, TN 37202

TN DOR Contact Info:

  • State-wide, toll gratis: (888) 871-3171
  • Nashville area and out-of-country: (615) 741-3101

Mailing address:

Department of Acquirement
Vehicle Services Division
44 Vantage Way, Suite 160
Nashville, TN 37243

Motorcar Uncomplicated makes it easy to buy, title, and register your new Certified Pre-Endemic Vehicle in Tennessee (and a new location in Dalton, GA).

We behave a large selection of hand-picked used vehicles, all of which come with a vi month/6,000-mile powertrain warranty. Nosotros also ain a private rail for test driving!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to speak with 1 of our Online Specialists or give us a call:

Chattanooga, TN – (423) 551-3600

Cleveland, TN – (423) 476-4600

Dayton, TN – (423) 775-4600

Dalton, GA – (706) 217-CARS (2277)

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