What is a Connecticut Car Bill of Sale?

A Connecticut car bill of sale is a multi-use, half-page document provided by the state that covers all vehicle transfers. The buyer and seller complete the document digitally or by hand, ensuring they provide their credentials and a description of the vehicle. Each person must enter their full name and signature to show their consent.

In some cases, the seller includes additional items in the sale, such as spare tires, rooftop cargo carriers, or other accessories. Since the state bill of sale does not provide space for the information, both parties would need to complete a general bill of sale (or another relevant document) to prove the change of ownership.

The form also holds importance when registering the vehicle, obtaining insurance, or re-selling it. Naturally, buyers trust sellers with a bill of sale versus individuals who do not. The document proves the owner legally purchased the car on a specific date. In addition, it contains the car’s condition and mileage at the time of the previous sale. This insight helps the buyer understand how the seller treated the vehicle from that point forward. For example, they can learn the number of miles the owner put on it and/or any changes they made.

What are the Buyer’s Tasks?

The buyer’s tasks depend on whether they acquired the vehicle through a dealership or private sale. In most cases, dealers take care of the paperwork, registration, and titling for cars. However, private sales require the buyer to handle the logistics.

Dealerships

Dealerships generally handle the state’s requirements when selling a new or used car. The customer does not need to register or title the vehicle as an added benefit. Instead, both parties complete the forms before the dealer sends them to the DMV. Most often, the dealership provides the purchaser with temporary tags to operate the vehicle while they wait for their official registration and title.

Dealerships follow strict protocols for selling a vehicle and cannot scam buyers in most cases. However, clients should always watch for fishy or incorrect information to protect themselves.

Private Sales

On the other hand, buyers making a vehicle purchase from a private seller must use caution. Scammers can take advantage of purchasers online or in person. Therefore, individuals must consider the seller’s trustworthiness before carrying out the transaction. The state provides online systems (nmvtis.gov and nicb.org) where the interested party can check the car facts. Purchasers who buy vehicles from private sellers must handle registration and titling themselves.

After purchasing the car, the new owner must make an appointment with the DMV. At that time, the buyer provides the state with the completed and transferred forms. They also pay the fees charged by the state. If approved, they receive a registration, which they must safely store in the vehicle’s glove box. Individuals who also receive a title must keep it concealed, so it does not get lost, damaged, or stolen.

What are the Seller’s Tasks?

The seller must follow state-mandated procedures to release ownership of a vehicle. First, they need to flip the title onto its backside and enter the requested information. Then, they must sign and make a copy to keep. They must submit the original title to the new owner.

Next, the buyer and seller complete the bill of sale together. They can use Form H-31 (from the state) or create their own. If they make a homemade document, they must include the buyer and seller’s names and addresses, the vehicle’s information, the selling price, the sale date, and the seller’s signature. Both parties need a copy of the form. Before giving the buyer the keys, the seller must also remove the current license plate(s).

Although the previous owner transferred possession of the car on paper, they still must alert the DMV of the change. If the individual fails to notify the state, they must pay property taxes until the registration ends. In addition, they run the risk of being responsible for tickets and fines accrued by the new owner. The state allows residents to cancel online or by mail.

How to Register a Car in Connecticut (4 Steps)

New residents have sixty (60) days to register their vehicle. All registrations must occur in person at a DMV office.

Step 1 – Compliance Issues

Owners can only apply for registration if they have satisfied Connecticut’s requirements, which include:

• Full payment for property taxes and parking tickets;
• No reports of commercial vehicle safety issues;
• Passed emissions testing on time; and
• No active suspensions or issues with insurance.

If individuals do not know their vehicle status, they can run their information through the DMV online checker.

Step 2 – Car Insurance

Connecticut requires that each driver has bodily injury coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. They must also have property damage coverage of $25,000 per incident.

After the insurance company approves the plan, they send a card to the driver, who must keep it in a safe place. The insurance card proves that the resident has a policy that satisfies the state’s minimum requirements. It must include the following:

• Insurance company’s name;
• National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s (NAIC) number (i.e., company number);
• Policy owner/holder name;
• Policy number;
• Date of coverage and expiration date; and
• Car’s year, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN);