Do I need title in my name to sell?

[Tyler B]

Hello,

I purchased a Skoolie earlier this year and am looking to sell. The reasons why shouldn’t matter but for those that are curious: I’m in the military and currently stationed overseas. Don’t want the bus to sit; would rather have it on the road and catering to the next owners’ adventures.

I have not put the title in my name yet. Thanks COVID and 2020 for all the curveballs.

Question: can I just simply sign the title over to the next prospective buyer without putting the title in my name? Yes, I’d be avoiding sales tax/registration fees and honestly don’t want to pay it if unnecessary.

For more details, see pics below:

 

[BeNimble]

No you don't need title in your name to sell. Not sure about Florida specifically.
In California, you provide 'chain of ownership' with bill of sale from titled owner to new owner, and they will charge fees and sales tax on purchases for the chain to the person who gets new title.

 

[JackE]

Nevada is the same way. Taxes do begin to mount up by the third or forth purchaser, ask me how I know.....

DO NOT fill in info in the red boxed in area. That is for a licensed dealer only. If you put any of your own information on that title other than in the first purchase area, it will void the title and you will have to get a new one from the guy who's name is printed on it.

 

[CHEESE_WAGON]

Actually, from a legal standpoint, it has to be legally yours to sell, and if not in your name, it legally isn't yours to sell until it is in your name. It's called title jumping, and while it only comes into question if the seller raises it as an issue or some discrepancy or error fouls up the transfer, it usually isn't a problem.

Chances are as long as OP hasn't signed their name to the title, and there are no errors or mistakes made by the buyer in filling out, you might be able to make it fly without issue. Just know it isn't strictly legal, but forgivable, I think, given the circumstances.

That being said, I wouldn't have a problem doing such a transaction from a seller in a situation such as this, but some might. I certainly don't think active duty military would knowingly do this on purpose to get out of paying sales or property tax (the usual reason for doing so by those who do it regularly), but then, I'm sure the OP understands there is certainly enough stolen valor out there that it's hard to tell sometimes if you're actually dealing with a legitimate veteran (no offense or questioning OP's status, just telling it how it is).

 

[JackE]

I went through this process a few years ago on a Suburban I got from a guy that couldn't figure out what to do with it. He had the original title stamped REPOSESSION and string of bills of sale that went Bank-Auction house-Dealer-private party-private party-him, then another to me. I had to pay a ridiculous amount of sales taxes, but got the Suburban for free, so it was still a good deal.

Title jumping is when you buy a vehicle but don't put your name on the title as buyer, and then sell it to someone else, leaving them to decide if they want to put their name on it as buyer. That is jumping, and it is illegal in all 50 states.

 

[dwood443]

This should be good

 

[JackE]

I will add to my previous posts to say:

Check with the DMV in your state. What works in one state may not be acceptable in another. This process works in Nevada. I can not attest for the other 49!

 

[john61ct-SKO]

Obviously asking any bureaucrat, you will be told to follow the letter of the law.

The question really is "can I get away with this here in my state?"

The answer is "probably". IMO try and see.

If you were a grey-market dealer regularly evading taxes, the penalty would likely be higher

than a current member of our armed services doing it once-off and playing stupid if it comes up at all.

 

[musigenesis]

Title-jumping is illegal, and it's also a dick move if you do it to a seller without their knowledge (like what happened to me).

 

[Brad_SwiftFur]

TL;DR answer - if you *DID NOT* fill out the buyer portion (your name, signature and date of sale) then adding those details of the next buyer will be easy enough. However, if you did fill out your name and signature, then it will be far easier to simply title it in your name rather than all the complicated hassles you (or someone) will have to go through otherwise.

 

[ol trunt]

Unless the seller dimed you out to the DMV as the purchaser-----