Car paperwork, step by step
Buy, sell, donate or register a car without the paperwork stress.
Plain-English, step-by-step guides to transferring a title, registering a car, donating or trading one in, financing basics and a first-car checklist.
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Explore Car Transaction Guides
Pick a topic for step-by-step help and checklists.
Car Title Transfer
Transferring, signing and fixing a car title, with or without a loan.
Explore topic →02Car Registration
Registering a new or used car, documents and why registrations get rejected.
Explore topic →03Car Donation
How to donate a car, the paperwork and the tax basics in plain English.
Explore topic →04Car Trade-In
Trade-in vs private sale, trading in with a loan and getting a fair value.
Explore topic →05First Car Checklist
What a first-time buyer should check, test and do after buying.
Explore topic →06Car Financing Basics
APR, loan terms, pre-approval, and loan vs lease basics.
Explore topic →Featured reading
Start Here: Car Paperwork Essentials
The questions drivers ask when they buy, sell, donate or register a car.
What Documents Are Needed for Car Registration?
Start with identity, ownership, and insurance; local rules may add inspection or residency papers.
How Does a Car Title Transfer Work?
A car title transfer moves ownership when the title, required forms, and any state-specific paperwork are signed and filed correctly.
What Is a Good Car Payment for Your Income?
A good car payment is about 10% to 15% of your monthly take-home pay; if you carry other debt, stay closer to…
Does Auto Loan Preapproval Hurt Your Credit Score?
Auto loan preapproval only hurts your credit if the lender runs a hard inquiry. Soft-pull preapprovals do not lower your score.
From the blog
Latest Car Guides
New step-by-step guides on titles, registration, donation, trade-ins and financing.
How Early Can You Renew Your Registration?
Most states let you renew 30 to 90 days before expiration, but some allow as little…
How Long Should a Test Drive Be Before You Buy?
A 15-minute test drive covers the basics, but 30 minutes is better for warmed-up behavior. Learn…
Lost or Stolen Car Title: What Changes?
A lost title is usually replaced through your DMV with an application, ID, and fee; if…
How Long Are Car Loan Terms in Months?
Most car loans run 36 to 72 months, with 60 and 72 months most common; choose…
When Should a Charity Send Your Car Donation Tax Receipt?
The charity should send Form 1098-C within 30 days after the car is sold, or within…
How to Inspect a Used Car Yourself Before You Buy
Check the body, fluids, tires, lights, electronics, and paperwork in minutes. Walk away if you find…
Recent Guides
- What Documents Are Needed for Car Registration?
- How Does a Car Title Transfer Work?
- What Is a Good Car Payment for Your Income?
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