by Armando Martinez
Buying a car from a private owner in Indiana can save you money, but it also requires some additional steps to register the vehicle with the state. You’ll have 45 days from the date of purchase to complete the registration process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.
Step 1: Get the Required Documents
Before you can register your car with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), you'll need to gather some important documents. These include:
- The vehicle title: This document proves that you are the legal owner of the car. The seller should provide you with the original title signed over to you.
- Bill of Sale: This document is used to prove that you bought the vehicle from the private owner. It should include the date of sale, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the purchase price, and the signatures of both the buyer and seller.
- Odometer Disclosure Statement: This document is required for vehicles under 10 years old and indicates the vehicle's mileage at the time of sale.
- Valid Indiana driver's license: This is necessary to prove your identity.
- Proof of insurance: this will be required in order to complete your registration process.
Step 2: Get the Car Inspected
Indiana law requires that all vehicles, specifically vehicles titled outside of Indiana, pass an inspection before they can be registered. You can get this done at a licensed inspection station, and the cost will vary depending on the location.
Step 3: Complete the Registration Application
Once you have all the necessary documents and the car has passed inspection, you can fill out the registration application. This can be done online or in person at your local Indiana BMV office. You'll need to provide your personal information, the vehicle's information, and pay the appropriate fees. You can find the fee schedule on the Indiana BMV website.
Step 4: Pay the Taxes and Fees
When you register your car in Indiana, you'll need to pay a variety of taxes and fees. These include:
- Title fee: $15
- Vehicle registration fee: $21.35 for cars and trucks under 4,500 pounds
- Sales tax: 7% of the purchase price
- Excise tax: This is based on the value of the vehicle and varies depending on the county.
You'll need to pay these fees at the time of registration.
Step 5: Get Your License Plates
Once you've completed the registration process and paid all the necessary fees, you'll be issued a set of license plates for your new car. You'll need to attach them to the vehicle before driving it on public roads. You’ll be able to purchase a 30 day operating permit that will allow you to operate your vehicle legally until your license plates are issued.
In conclusion, registering a car bought from a private owner in Indiana requires some additional steps, but it's a straightforward process as long as you have all the necessary documents and follow the steps outlined above. By doing so, you can get your car registered and on the road in no time. If you have any more questions, visit the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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