Selling a car in Tennessee: the paperwork
| Tennessee seller rules at a glance | What applies |
|---|---|
| License plates | Seller removes and keeps them |
| Duplicate title | Multi-purpose, Noting of Lien, and Duplicate Title Application; $14 plus any county fees |
Title questions, duplicate titles and release of liability forms are handled by the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Vehicle Services (titles through your County Clerk). Compare these rules with other states on our seller rules by state page. After the sale, cancel your insurance once the car is gone. Our after-sale checklist covers each step.
No obligation.
Where we pick up in Tennessee
We buy cars in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville and Murfreesboro, and in every other town in Tennessee a tow truck can reach. Pickup is free wherever the car is, from a city driveway to a farm lot, and you're paid before it's loaded.
How it works in Tennessee
Get your offer
Tell us the year, make, model and condition, or start with your VIN. Your cash offer is good for 7 days.
Pick a pickup time
Choose when and where. Towing is free anywhere in Tennessee, and pickup is usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Get paid on the spot
The driver checks the car and pays you. Then you sign the title, hand over the keys and the car is loaded.
Cities we serve in Tennessee
Local pickup details for these cities are below. We buy everywhere else in Tennessee too, from the suburbs to the smallest towns.
Tennessee car selling questions
Do I need a title to sell my car in Tennessee?
For a titled vehicle, yes: the title is how ownership passes to the buyer. To replace a lost Tennessee title, apply to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Vehicle Services (titles through your County Clerk) with Multi-purpose, Noting of Lien, and Duplicate Title Application. The fee is $14 plus any county fees.
Can I junk a car without a title in Tennessee?
In most cases you'll need the title or a duplicate. State law ties ownership to the title, and licensed scrap buyers also have to report the vehicles they buy to the federal NMVTIS database. Tell us your situation and we'll confirm what the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Vehicle Services (titles through your County Clerk) accepts before pickup.
Do I keep my license plates when I sell a car in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the plates belong to the seller, not the car. Plates follow the owner, not the vehicle, and can be transferred to another vehicle for $1.
Is pickup really free everywhere in Tennessee?
Yes. Towing is free anywhere in Tennessee a tow truck can reach, and nothing is deducted from your offer for it.
Sources
Checked against these sources on November 6, 2026.
Last updated November 6, 2026.