How To Sell a Car in Washington D.C.

Selling a vehicle in Washington, D.C. requires compliance with District motor vehicle regulations established by the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DC DMV). Both private-party sellers and those transacting with dealerships must follow specific procedures for title assignment, odometer disclosure, license plate removal, and tax compliance to ensure the sale is legally valid. The District's procedures establish clear requirements for transfer of ownership, delivery of title documents, and post-sale responsibilities that both sellers and buyers must observe.

What You Need To Know Before Selling a Car in Washington D.C.

Title Law and Ownership Requirements

A certificate of title is required for all motor vehicles registered in Washington, D.C. The titled owner must ensure the vehicle is free of encumbrances and that all ownership records are accurate before transferring it to a new owner.

When multiple owners are listed on the title, all owners must sign the title assignment during the sale process. The signature requirements depend on how the names are recorded on the title. When the names are listed separately as joint owners, both owners must sign the back of the title as sellers. If only one owner intends to retain ownership after the sale, that remaining owner will sign as the buyer. When the vehicle is registered to a single owner, only that owner's signature is required to complete the assignment.

Satisfying an Existing Lien

If an active lien is recorded on the vehicle's certificate of title, the lienholder must release the lien before the vehicle can be transferred free and clear. The seller should contact the lienholder to obtain written authorization or a lien release. If the title reflects a lien on its face, the seller must submit the lien release paperwork, along with the signed title, to the DC DMV. The lienholder is responsible for providing the lien release to the owner once the loan obligation is satisfied.

No Vehicle Inspection Required for Private Sales

The District does not require a private-party seller to obtain a vehicle safety inspection before completing a sale. However, the buyer will need to obtain a temporary registration and pass a vehicle inspection through the DC DMV after purchasing the vehicle and before operating it on District roads.

Vehicle Title Examination

Sellers should verify that the title is valid and shows no alterations, corrections, or signs of damage. The District does not accept altered titles that show evidence of correction fluid or similar modifications. If the original title has been lost, damaged, or is unavailable, the seller must apply for a duplicate certificate of title before proceeding with the sale.

Documents Required To Sell a Car in Washington D.C.

Certificate of Title

The existing certificate of title is the legal document establishing ownership. The seller must complete the assignment section on the back of the title, providing the buyer's full legal name, address, and the date of sale. The seller must sign exactly as the name appears on the front of the title. If joint ownership is reflected on the title with both names listed as separate owners, all owners must sign the title assignment. The District does not require title assignments to be notarized.

The title document must be presented in its original form with no alterations, corrections, or modifications. A title that has been altered will be rejected by DC DMV.

Odometer Disclosure Statement

Federal law requires the seller to disclose the vehicle's odometer reading at the time of transfer. The odometer reading must appear on the title itself, on a dealer reassignment form if purchased from a dealer, or on a separate odometer disclosure statement. The seller must certify one of the following: that the stated reading is the actual mileage, that the mileage exceeds the odometer's mechanical limits, or that the odometer reading is not the actual mileage (discrepancy warning).

Bill of Sale

While Washington, D.C. does not legally require a bill of sale for private vehicle transfers, many buyers and sellers choose to create one as a record of the transaction. If prepared, a bill of sale should include the full names and complete addresses of both the buyer and the seller, the date of sale, the vehicle's full description, including the VIN, make, year, and model, the purchase price, and the signatures of both parties. Both parties should retain a signed copy for their records.

Lien Release Document

If an active lien is recorded on the title, the seller must obtain written authorization to release the lien from the lienholder. This document should be delivered to the buyer along with the signed title so the buyer can submit both documents to the DC DMV for processing.

How To Transfer a Car Title in Washington D.C.

Step 1: Review the Title Before the Sale

The seller should obtain the original certificate of title and verify that it is valid and contains no alterations or damage. If the title is lost or damaged, an application for a duplicate certificate of title must be filed with the DC DMV before proceeding with the sale. The seller should also verify that all liens are identified and plan to satisfy them before transferring ownership.

Step 2: Verify Multiple Ownership and Lien Status

If the vehicle has multiple owners, the seller should confirm that all owners will sign the title assignment. If the title shows a lien, the seller should contact the lienholder and arrange for the lien to be released at the time of sale or ensure that the lien will be satisfied before the buyer takes possession.

Step 3: Complete the Title Assignment

The seller completes the assignment section on the reverse of the original certificate of title by printing the buyer's full legal name and address and signing the title exactly as it appears on the front. If the title lists multiple owners, all owners must sign the assignment. The date of sale must also be entered. All information must match the documentation the buyer will present to the DC DMV.

Step 4: Prepare the Odometer Statement

For vehicles subject to odometer disclosure, the seller certifies the mileage on the back of the title or on a separate odometer disclosure document, indicating whether the reading is actual mileage, mileage beyond the odometer's limit, or a mileage discrepancy.

Step 5: Deliver Documents to the Buyer

At the time of sale, the seller delivers to the buyer the following documents: the properly signed original certificate of title, any applicable lien release documentation, and proof of valid odometer disclosure. The seller also removes the license plates from the vehicle.

Step 6: Buyer Applies for New Title and Registration

The buyer must visit a DC DMV service center to submit the Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application along with the signed title, proof of DC insurance, a valid DC DMV credential, a bill of sale, and proof of valid odometer disclosure. The buyer will receive a temporary registration and tag that allows the vehicle to be driven to an inspection facility. Once the vehicle passes inspection, the buyer may complete the registration process. The District will mail the new certificate of title to the primary owner or lienholder within 10 business days after all required documentation is presented.

Title Transfer Fee Schedule in Washington D.C.

The following fees apply to motor vehicle title transactions in the District:

In addition to state fees, the buyer will be responsible for registration fees, which vary based on vehicle weight class. An excise tax is also assessed based on the vehicle's unladen weight and fuel efficiency rating.

Sales Tax on Private Vehicle Sales

Washington, D.C. imposes an excise tax on motor vehicles at the time of titling and registration. The excise tax is calculated based on the vehicle's fair market value according to the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Business Guide for the Eastern Region, the vehicle's unladen weight class, and its city miles-per-gallon (MPG) rating and is rounded down to the nearest whole number.

Effective February 17, 2025, the excise tax rates are tiered by weight class and fuel efficiency. Buyers who qualify for the District Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) may elect to pay the excise tax at a weight-class percentage or under the MPG-adjusted tax schedule, whichever results in the lowest cost. An online excise tax estimator is available to calculate the tax for a specific vehicle.

What To Do After Selling Your Car in Washington D.C.

Remove and Handle License Plates

The seller must remove the District license plates from the vehicle. The plates remain the property of the District and must not remain on the vehicle after the sale. The seller may surrender the plates to the DC DMV either in person at a service center or by certified mail. Surrendering the plates ensures that DC DMV records reflect that the seller is no longer responsible for the vehicle.

If the seller cannot physically surrender the plates, the seller may submit Form MV 32-7A-5 (Request for Registration Revocation) to the local licensing office to formally notify DC DMV of the transfer.

Cancel or Transfer Insurance

The seller should contact the automobile insurance provider to cancel coverage for the sold vehicle or transfer the policy to a replacement vehicle. Insurance should not be canceled before the license plates are surrendered to the DC DMV, as doing so may result in an insurance lapse fee. The seller is not required to maintain insurance coverage on a vehicle no longer owned.

Retain Documentation

The seller should retain a copy of the signed title assignment, any bill of sale, and documentation of the sale. These records may be needed to prove the sale in the event of future liability disputes or to respond to verification notices regarding the vehicle.

Contact Information

District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles
1015 Half Street, SE, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20003
Phone: (202) 737-4404
Official Website: DC Department of Motor Vehicles