Selling a car in Vermont: the paperwork
| Vermont seller rules at a glance | What applies |
|---|---|
| License plates | Seller removes and keeps them |
| Duplicate title | VT-004 Replacement Title Application; $42 |
| Older cars without a title | Model year 2009 or older with a Vermont registration in your name: give the buyer the registration certificate and a signed bill of sale. |
| Junk without a title | Allowed in some cases |
Title questions, duplicate titles and release of liability forms are handled by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. 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 Vermont
We buy cars in Burlington, South Burlington, Rutland, Barre and Montpelier, and in every other town in Vermont 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 Vermont
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 Vermont, 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.
Vermont car selling questions
Do I need a title to sell my car in Vermont?
For a titled vehicle, yes: the title is how ownership passes to the buyer. To replace a lost Vermont title, apply to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles with VT-004 Replacement Title Application. The fee is $42. For older vehicles, Vermont has an exception: Model year 2009 or older with a Vermont registration in your name: give the buyer the registration certificate and a signed bill of sale.
Can I junk a car without a title in Vermont?
Sometimes. No title is needed for model year 2009 and older vehicles registered in Vermont that have not changed owners since; sell them with the registration certificate (23 V.S.A. 2012(10)). Titled vehicles still need the title. Otherwise you'll need the title or a duplicate. To replace a lost Vermont title, apply to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles with VT-004 Replacement Title Application. The fee is $42.
Do I keep my license plates when I sell a car in Vermont?
In Vermont, the plates belong to the seller, not the car. Do not leave plates on the car. Returning them to DMV is optional.
Is pickup really free everywhere in Vermont?
Yes. Towing is free anywhere in Vermont a tow truck can reach, and nothing is deducted from your offer for it.
Sources
- Vermont DMV: Title
- Vermont DMV: Title Fees
- Vermont DMV FAQ: I no longer need my plates, what do I do with them?
- 23 V.S.A. 2012, exempted vehicles (Vermont Legislature)
- Vermont DMV, Salvage or Rebuilt Title FAQ
Checked against these sources on November 6, 2026.
Last updated November 6, 2026.