Sender: dkindred@ux2.sp.cs.cmu.edu
Message-ID: <3516019D.D44AFF25@cmu.edu>
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 01:30:53 -0500
From: Darrell Kindred <dkindred@cmu.edu>
Organization: Carnegie Mellon University Computer Science Dept.
MIME-Version: 1.0
Newsgroups: cmu.cs.general
CC: yuanlu+@gs59.sp.cs.cmu.edu, bovik@cs.cmu.edu
Subject: Re: registering a used car (was "HELP")
References: <6f196n$p2u$1@goldenapple.srv.cs.cmu.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

> I just bought a used car. I need to register for
> that. What is the procedure for that? Thanks.

I did this recently, so the procedure is still fairly 
fresh in my mind.  You can call PennDOT to check details 
at 800/932-4600.

You should do the following as soon as possible.
(I'm assuming you bought the car in Pennsylvania from
a private owner, that you have not yet completed the
title application, and that you are not transferring the
license plate from a previous car of yours.)

  Go with the seller to a notary public or auto club (e.g. AAA) and 
  file the title transfer.  It's probably a good idea for you and 
  the seller to sign a bill of sale and odometer statement as well.
  There are samples of these documents here:
       http://lyre.mit.edu/~powell/sherman/files/used_car.html#4

  You'll need to bring the following to the notary:
    - identification for you and the seller
    - the seller's title for the car
    - the car
    - your insurance agent's name, address, and phone number
    - current odometer reading
    - your checkbook

  You will be required to pay one year's Pennsylvania vehicle 
  registration fee ($36), a fee for the license plate (I think
  $10), a title fee ($22.50), PA sales tax (7% of the sale price
  if you're an Allegheny county resident), and probably also a 
  fee for the notary's services (~$30, or less if you're a AAA 
  member and do it there.)

  If you report a sale price that's well below the market price
  (from the NADA guide or the like) for the car, I think you may
  be required to justify the low price based on the car's condition,
  or be forced to pay sales tax on the market value.  (The notary
  we used did look up the price in a guidebook.)

In general you and the seller should do all this at the time
you make payment and the seller hands over the car.  I assume
you didn't, though, so I hope the seller is cooperative.  If
not, you may be able to find out from AAA, PennDOT, or an 
attorney what your options are.

- Darrell