VA DMV VA DMV Vehicle Registration and Titling Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Virginia, when you buy a used car from a dealer, how many days do you have to get the title in your name?
- 15 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 45 days
- 60 days
Correct answer: 30 days
Virginia law requires that a title be transferred into the new owner's name within 30 days of purchase to avoid a late titling fee.
Question 2: What does a salvage title mean in Virginia?
- The vehicle has over 100,000 miles
- The vehicle was declared a total loss by an insurer (Correct answer)
- The vehicle failed emissions testing
- The vehicle has unpaid parking tickets
Correct answer: The vehicle was declared a total loss by an insurer
A salvage title in Virginia is issued when an insurance company declares a vehicle a total loss due to damage exceeding its value.
Question 3: Which Virginia agency handles vehicle title and registration?
- Virginia State Police
- Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (Correct answer)
- Virginia Department of Transportation
- Virginia Secretary of State
Correct answer: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for all vehicle title and registration services in the state.
Question 4: When can you keep your Virginia license plates when you sell your car?
- Never — plates stay with the vehicle
- Only if you are buying another car the same day
- Always — plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Only if the plates are personalized
Correct answer: Always — plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle
In Virginia, license plates belong to the registered owner, not the vehicle, so you keep your plates when you sell your car.
Question 5: What must you do with your Virginia license plates if you cancel your vehicle insurance?
- Nothing — plates can stay on the car
- Return them to the DMV immediately (Correct answer)
- Store them at home until you get new insurance
- Transfer them to another family member
Correct answer: Return them to the DMV immediately
Virginia law requires you to return license plates to the DMV if you cancel vehicle insurance to avoid an uninsured vehicle fee.
Question 6: What is a Certificate of Title brand in Virginia?
- A manufacturer's logo on the title document
- A notation on the title indicating the vehicle's history such as salvage or flood damage (Correct answer)
- A DMV approval stamp for emissions compliance
- A sticker showing registration expiration
Correct answer: A notation on the title indicating the vehicle's history such as salvage or flood damage
A title brand in Virginia is a permanent notation on the title document disclosing significant events in the vehicle's history, such as flood damage or salvage.
In Virginia, when you buy a used car from a dealer, how many days do you have to get the title in your name?