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.
How Do You Know If Your Car Trade-In Is Upside Down?
Your trade-in is upside down if your loan payoff is higher than the car’s trade-in value. This guide covers payoff math, negative…
How to Replace a Lost Car Title: State DMV Steps
Apply online or in person through your state DMV if you own the car outright; liens, inheritance, and moves out of state…
Do You Have to Renew Your Registration Every Year?
Most vehicle registrations renew every year, but some states use two-year or longer cycles. Check state rules, exceptions, and renewal dates before…
What Are Auto Loan Terms and Conditions?
Auto loan terms and conditions spell out APR, payment timing, fees, collateral, insurance, prepayment rules, and default consequences.
From the blog
Latest Car Guides
New step-by-step guides on titles, registration, donation, trade-ins and financing.
How Do You Get a Donation Tax Receipt After Donating a Car?
You usually need the charity’s written acknowledgment, often Form 1098-C, to claim the car deduction. This…
How Long Do You Have to Switch Out-of-State Registration?
Most states require you to switch an out-of-state registration within 30 to 60 days after residency…
How to Donate a Nonrunning Car to Charity
Many charities accept a nonrunning car if they can pick it up, handle the title, and…
Printable Used Car Inspection Checklist for a Private Sale
A printable checklist for private-sale used cars with five walk-away checks, a timed inspection sequence, and…
How to Correct a Mistake on a Car Title
Use the DMV’s rule to decide whether a title error can be corrected in place or…
What Is a Reasonable First Car Budget on Your Income?
Use about 15% of take-home pay for total car costs, with the payment near 10% of…
Recent Guides
- How Do You Know If Your Car Trade-In Is Upside Down?
- How to Replace a Lost Car Title: State DMV Steps
- Do You Have to Renew Your Registration Every Year?
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