Motor Vehicle Division Vehicle Titling and Registration 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is an 'odometer disclosure' and when is it required on a title transfer?
- A statement of the vehicle's fuel efficiency, required at every sale
- A certified mileage reading, generally required for vehicles under 10 years old (Correct answer)
- A record of oil changes, required for vehicles over 100,000 miles
- A smog reading, required in California only
Correct answer: A certified mileage reading, generally required for vehicles under 10 years old
Federal law requires sellers to disclose the accurate odometer reading on title transfers for vehicles under 10 model years old to prevent odometer fraud.
Question 2: If you inherit a vehicle, what document is typically needed to transfer the title into your name?
- Only the old title signed by the deceased
- Letters testamentary or an affidavit of heirship along with the title (Correct answer)
- A simple bill of sale
- A court order from a traffic court judge
Correct answer: Letters testamentary or an affidavit of heirship along with the title
To transfer an inherited vehicle, you typically need the original title plus probate documents such as letters testamentary or an affidavit of heirship.
Question 3: What does a 'bonded title' allow a vehicle owner to do?
- Register a vehicle that was stolen and recovered
- Obtain a title for a vehicle when the original title is missing (Correct answer)
- Transfer a title across state lines without a fee
- Add a co-owner to an existing title
Correct answer: Obtain a title for a vehicle when the original title is missing
A bonded title lets you obtain legal ownership of a vehicle when the original title is unavailable, backed by a surety bond protecting future claimants.
Question 4: Which agency is responsible for vehicle titling and registration at the state level?
- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- The state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent (Correct answer)
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
- The Social Security Administration (SSA)
Correct answer: The state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent
Vehicle titling and registration is administered by each state's DMV or equivalent agency, such as a Department of Revenue or Motor Vehicle Division.
Question 5: What is a 'duplicate title' and when would you need one?
- A second original title issued when two people co-own a vehicle
- A replacement title issued when the original is lost, stolen, or destroyed (Correct answer)
- A title issued for a vehicle that has been rebuilt after salvage
- A title issued for a vehicle registered in two states
Correct answer: A replacement title issued when the original is lost, stolen, or destroyed
A duplicate title is a replacement copy issued by the DMV when the original certificate of title is lost, stolen, or mutilated.
Question 6: What fee is typically associated with vehicle registration renewal?
- A flat $10 federal fee the same in all states
- A state-set fee that may be based on vehicle value, weight, or age (Correct answer)
- A fee determined solely by the vehicle's insurance company
- No fee — registration renewal is free in most states
Correct answer: A state-set fee that may be based on vehicle value, weight, or age
Registration renewal fees vary by state and are often calculated based on factors like the vehicle's value, weight, age, or a flat state rate.
Question 7: What does it mean when a vehicle title is listed as 'clean'?
- The vehicle has just been washed and inspected
- The title has no brands such as salvage, flood, or lemon law buyback (Correct answer)
- The vehicle passed its most recent emissions test
- The registration fees have been paid in full
Correct answer: The title has no brands such as salvage, flood, or lemon law buyback
A 'clean' title means the vehicle has no negative title brands indicating prior damage, total loss, or manufacturer buyback.
Motor Vehicle Division Vehicle Titling and Registration 3
What is an 'odometer disclosure' and when is it required on a title transfer?