Hey all - I have a question. I am on the verge of selling a car to someone who lives in New Jersey (I live in Maryland), and wanted to know what the necessary steps would be.

If he drives down to give me a cashier's check, I was then planning on signing the title over to him. However, since he lives in Jersey, I need to take my plates off the car, and I am not sure if it is legal for him to drive the car back to New Jersey without plates. Does anyone have any experience with this scenario?

Thanks...

 

Just a reccomendation. I wouldn't sign the title over to him until the check clears. When I sold my car, I got a bill of sale (notarized, we both got a copy)and let the buyer drive away with the plates. Once the check cleared, he sent me the plates and I sent him the title. If you worry about insurance, in case he gets into an accident, you have the bill of sale to provide to your insurance company. That way he can't pursue any damage's through your insurance.

I am currently going through the same process. Let me know if you have any further questions.

 

Cashier's checks don't bounce unless they are forged.

 

I sold my S to an out of state resident, I just put on a paper plate that I had from where I bought it from and left it up to him. He had the bill of sale to prove he just bought it. I wasnt really worried about it since he would be the one getting in trouble.

 

Thanks for the responses. I would prefer to not let him drive the car with my plates (primarily because I need to turn them in before I can cancel my insurance).

If he brings me a cashier's check that we both take to my bank and deposit, I could then sign over the title and take my plates. The Certificate of Title from Maryland can serve as a Bill of Sale, so I guess that could serve as proof that he just purchased the vehicle in case he were to get stopped on the way home.

What do you all think?

 

I think you need a bill of sale in addition to the title. I don't think it needs to be very elaborate, just something that states "I, _____ sell this car to ______ on (date) for (price)" and then have it signed by both parties. But then again, a simple call to your DMV will answer all your questions.

BTW, I would definitely keep the plates.

 

That's the thing, though. Just a few years ago the presentation of a cashier's check was a virtual guarantee that the check was good; today there is no way the average consumer would be able to tell if a given cashier's check was good or not...

 

I sold my Prelude a little over a week ago and my bank had to call and verify that the cashier's check was good. They had just had one earlier that day from the very same bank that had a stop payment placed on it. Thankfully, my check was ok.

 

Do you own the car outright? Or is there a lien (loan secured by the car) on it?

 

There is a lien on it from our Credit Union.