REGISTER A CAR PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE PARTY
If you are a Denver County resident who has recently purchased a vehicle (car, truck, SUV, or motor home) from a private party, you have 60 days to register your vehicle at one of our Denver County DMV branch locations. If you are not a Denver County resident, please visit the State of Colorado DMV website to locate your branch office.
New Colorado residents should visit our new resident registration instructions page.
Before you purchase a vehicle from a private party, be sure to inspect the front of the original title document to be sure it is clear of lienholders on the front of the title and properly signed by the seller.
Print checklist
Registration checklist for a vehicle purchased from private party
You must register in person at a Motor Vehicle office in the county where you reside. For information about where to register outside Denver County, visit the State of Colorado DMV Website. Visit our DMV branch offices page for Denver County DMV locations, hours and directions.
To shorten your wait and ensure same day service at the counter, please come prepared with the following documentation:
- New owner identification (secure and verifiable) or designated power of attorney.
Anyone other than a named owner must present a completed and notarized Form DR2175 Power of Attorney and their own identification (secure and verifiable).
- Vehicle title.
Vehicle title must be properly endorsed by previous owner.
- Bill of sale.
Bill of sale is recommended but not required unless there was an alteration to the purchase price or purchase date listed on the title.
- Emissions test.
When you purchase a vehicle through a private party, or receive a vehicle through family inheritance or as a gift, you are required to have a new emissions test, even if the current inspection report still has time on it. Please visit Air Care Colorado for exceptions to this rule. For emissions testing locations visit Air Care Colorado.
- Odometer reading.
If you plan to register a vehicle and transfer a title into your name, you must provide a current and accurate odometer reading. For vehicles older than 10 years, an odometer reading is not necessary.
- Proof of automobile insurance coverage.
Insurance card, copy of insurance policy or letter from your insurance company on the company's letterhead including a description of the vehicle with the following information: year, make, model, vehicle identification number (VIN),effective date and expiration date of the policy.
- Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification. A VIN verification is required if the seller has an out-of-state title. or the vehicle is purchased outside Colorado. A VIN inspector must complete a Verification Vehicle Identification Number form (DR 2698 from Colorado Department of Revenue). Denver Motor Vehicle will perform VIN verifications for $20.00 per vehicle. Learn more...
- License plates. When purchasing a vehicle from a private party, the seller must by Colorado State Law retain their own plates. Learn more about about how to obtain a temporary tag, or how to operate a vehicle prior to registering a vehicle.
- Payment.
Learn more about title and registration fees so that you arrive to our office prepared. Also see fees for specialty and personalized (vanity) plates.
**Note: Expect your new Colorado title to be mailed to you within 4 - 6 weeks upon registration of your vehicle.
CONTACT US
Denver Motor Vehicle
Phone: (720) 865-4600
Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri: 8am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Denver Motor Vehicle Division Eliminates Credit Card Fee for Vehicle Owners
Beginning on January 1, 2015, the city eliminated the 2.7 percent service charge on credit card payments for drivers renewing their vehicle registration with the city. Read more...
Gifts, inheritances, family transfers
For information about how to transfer the ownership of a vehicle by gift, inheritance or through a family transfer of ownership, visit our page on title transfers.
Late fees
Registration renewals must be completed by vehicle owners within the expiration time frame including the one-month grace period, or late fees of $25 per month—up to a total of $100 per vehicle—will be assessed. Vehicles owners who have recently purchased a car must register their new vehicle within 60 days or late fees with be assessed beginning on the 61st day after the purchase date if vehicle is not registered.
Example
April expiration (including one month grace period) will be good through the last business day of the month, by May 29*:
Add $25 – on June 1, if not registeredAdd $50 – on July 1, if not registered
Add $75 – on August 3, if not registered
Add $100 – on September 1 or later if not registered
Total: $100 in late fees
* The vehicle will also be subject to monthly back ownership tax and vehicle registration fees, which were due in April at the time of expiration.
The penalty for late registration of any non-motorized vehicle that weighs more than 2,000 pounds but not more than 16,000 pounds, and any camper trailer or multi-purpose trailer regardless of its weight, is $10.
Example 1
March expiration (a month grace period) will be good through the last business day of the month, by April 30:
Add $25 – on May1, if not registered
Add $25 – on June 1, if not registered
Add $10 – on July 1, if not registered
Total: $60 in late fees
Example 2
July expiration (a month grace period) will be good through the last business day of the month, by August 31:
Add $10 – on Sept 1, if not registered
Total: $10 in late fees
Buyer and seller tips
Get important information about selling or buying a vehicle such as why sellers need to remove their plates, or how you as a buyer can protect yourself from fraud by checking the title history. Visit our buyer and seller tips page.
