Selling a vehicle privately

[dmclone]

It's been a few years since I sold a vehicle to a private party. What do I need to do in the state of Iowa?

I have the title

I just paid my license fees last month for the whole year.

Do I keep the plates? Should I go to the courthouse?

I'm selling this car to a family member.

 

[DaddyMac]

I sold my truck last fall.

Complete the transaction and sign the title over to them - there are instructions on the back of the title/registration I believe.

I bought a new car and wanted my ISU plates on it (off the truck). The courthouse told me to use my temp plates until the permanent ones showed at the dealership. Once they arrived, I had to go down and handle the registration fee thing.

In my case, I had prepaid the registration at the purchase and had just renewed my truck. So they issued a refund of the remainder of my registraion and mailed a check a few weeks later.

 

[GeronimusClone]

I just did this. Sign the title over to them with the purchase price on it. They take it in, pay the taxes and get a new title. Pretty simple.

 

[dmclone]

So do I keep the plates to put on the new vehicle I'm buying?

 

[4429 mcc]

So do I keep the plates to put on the new vehicle I'm buying?

I've always kept the plates...just in case they decided to crash the car burn the title and it would be on me.

 

[GeronimusClone]

So do I keep the plates to put on the new vehicle I'm buying?

Yeah I kept the plates, switched them to my new car and switched the insurance over. All I had to do.

 

[DaddyMac]

So do I keep the plates to put on the new vehicle I'm buying?

Mine were ISU vanity plates. But I believe you would in any case.

It's on the purchaser to get the registration and new plates.

I'd call the polk county treasurer or go to their website. The biggest question for you is getting your unused registration refunded.

 

[cmoneyr]

The plates are yours, keep them just like you would if you traded in a vehicle at a dealership.

 

[moater]

Regardless if they are vanity plates always keep your plates and turn them in to the county. You may be able to get a refund. Contact the county. The plates are registered to you and are not transfereable to the buyer.

 

[dmclone]

Thank you

 

[BigBake]

Thank you

Also consider writing up a Bill of Sale that you and the buyer both sign and keep copies of.

If you google selling a car in Iowa I think the state has a website with some good tips/steps on how to proceed selling to a private party.

 

[BigBake]

State site:

How to Sell Your Vehicle in Iowa

 

[puckwarrior]

I know you are selling to a relative, which you probaly trust, but you should follow up to make sure the title to the vehicle gets transferred. I have seen it where someone has purchased a car and put their old plates on it without transferring the title. So you are technically recorded as the owner yet on the title. The buyer got in an accident and the seller ended up getting sued since the title was still in their name. It took awhile for this to get settled. It is best to do it at the courthouse with the buyer if at all possible.