Purchasing a Vehicle

Secure and verifiable identification is required on all new titles, duplicate titles, new registrations, new temporary registration permits, and new persons with disability placards. If the name of the buyer on the secure and verifiable identification and the new title application do not match, the Statement of One in the same DR2421 must be submitted. The vehicle will be titled as assigned on the ownership document. The identification must be provided by the owner of record or a power of attorney presented by the agent. The agent must have Secure and Verifiable Identification to complete the transaction. Commercially owned or lien holder transactions require a letter of authorization.

If you are purchasing a new or used vehicle from a Colorado dealer, the dealer will provide a temporary permit, sales tax receipts, title or manufacturer's statement of origin, and an application for Colorado title DR2395. If multiple owners will be listed on title the Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement of Intent section on the reverse side of the form must be completed. Please bring in all paperwork received from the dealer, proof of insurance, and emissions if required. See insurance requirements

The Colorado title should be presented to the County Clerk of the county in which you reside for transfer to your name within thirty days of purchase. A late fee of $25 per month up to $100 is required on expired registrations and new purchases not registered after 60 days of purchase date.

Emission tests are required on vehicles registered within a designated area of Larimer County. Note: There is a seven year emissions exemption on all new vehicles. Please see the Air Care Colorado website for information.

When a vehicle is purchased from a private party that has a Colorado title the following is required:

1. The title which has been properly signed by all parties, see example. 
   1. Seller or their agent must sign off the name as it appears on the face of the title. 
      1. If a selling party's name has been signed off by a power of attorney, that document is also required. 
   2. If the format of the buyer’s name listed in the assignment area of the title and their name listed on their identification do not match exactly, the Statement of One and the Same DR2421 must be submitted. 
   3. The vehicle will be titled as assigned on the back of the title.  
      1. Commercially owned transactions require a letter of authorization.
2. The collection of sales tax is a prerequisite to titling and is based on the purchase price of the vehicle. See sales tax information.
3. If the vehicle is less than 20 years old, weighs 10,000 lbs or less, or the previous title displays an odometer reading regardless of age of the vehicle, an odometer reading must be completed on the title or on a separate form available in our office.
4. Application for Colorado title DR2395 is required if multiple owners will be listed on the title. The Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement section on the back of the Application for Title must be completed.
5. The seller of the vehicle should always keep their license plates. The plates are not to stay with the vehicle. It is the responsibility of the new owner to obtain either license plates or a temporary registration.
6. To receive a temporary permit, all paperwork listed above with proof of insurance will be required. To complete a registration, an emission test may be required.

Appointments are available at larimer.gov/bookatime.

After Hours Purchase

A buyer of a vehicle may operate a vehicle on the highway prior to registering the vehicle when:

• The buyer has purchased the motor vehicle within the last 36 hours from a person who is not a licensed motor vehicle dealer.
• The vehicle was purchased either on a Saturday, on a Sunday, on a legal holiday, or between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m.
• The vehicle is being driven from the place where the seller stored the vehicle to the place where the buyer intends to store the vehicle.

The buyer must carry in the vehicle:

• A bill of sale that identifies the vehicle by year, make and VIN and shows the time and date of sale and is signed by both the buyer and the seller.
• Proof of insurance

Secure and verifiable identification is required on all new titles, duplicate titles, new registrations, new temporary registration permits, and new placards. The identification must be provided by the owner of record or a power of attorney presented by the agent. The agent must have secure and verifiable identification to complete the transaction. Commercially owned or lien holder transactions require a letter of authorization.

If you have purchased a vehicle and it is being financed by a dealer, financial institution, or the seller please verify where the paperwork is being sent or refer to filing a lien for further information. If the documents are being sent to our department, we will notify you via post card.

Please bring in the post card (or process your transaction by phone using our Phone Tag service), proof of emission if you are located within the emission area, proof of insurance, and plates and current registration from a previously owned vehicle to apply any credit that may be transferable. Proof of insurance is required before our office can register any passenger car, motor home, bus or motorcycle. See insurance requirements

There will be a fee collected at that time to register your vehicle for next year.

To title and register a vehicle purchased from someone who has an out of state title, the following is required:

1. Secure and verifiable identification
   1. Required on all new titles, new registrations, and new temporary registration permits.
   2. If the name of the buyer on the secure and verifiable identification and the new title assignment do not match, the Statement of One in the Same DR2421 must be submitted.
   3. The vehicle will be titled as assigned on the ownership document.
   4. The identification must be provided by the owner of record or a power of attorney presented by the agent. The agent must have Secure and Verifiable Identification to complete the transaction. Commercially owned or lien holder transactions require a letter of authorization.
2. Out of state title/ownership document from purchaser
   1. Title - If the title has been lost or destroyed, the seller will need to contact the state in which it was issued in order to replace the title.
   2. Title and registration combined - This document is acceptable if it is submitted to our office BEFORE the expiration date.
3. Application for Colorado title DR2395
   1. Required if multiple owners will be listed on title
   2. The Joint Tenancy with Rights of Survivorship Acknowledgement of Intent section on the reverse side of the form must be completed.
4. Odometer disclosure statement
   1. Title - listed on the title assignment area
   2. Or a separate odometer disclosure
   3. Please contact our office at (970) 498-7878 to speak with a technician if a separate form is required.
5. Collection of sales tax is a prerequisite to titling and is based on the purchase price of the vehicle.
   1. A bill of sale is required notarized or with a perjury clause included. See sales tax information
   2. Credit may be applicable for some local jurisdictions. Please contact our office if tax was previously paid.
6. Emission test
   1. Larimer County residents are required to obtain a certificate of emissions control for all vehicles within a designated area of Larimer County.
   2. Required on vehicles over seven years old
   3. Please see the Air Care Colorado website for information.
7. Verification of the Vehicle Identification Number Inspection
   1. Inspection can be made by a licensed dealer, a licensed inspection station or a law enforcement officer.
   2. The inspection is annotated on form DR2698 - Verification of Vehicle Identification. This form is also available at all motor vehicle locations and emission stations.
   3. If the vehicle comes from a non-title state, your vehicle may require a certified vehicle identification number inspection or other documents. This procedure may require you to speak with one of our technicians for complete details. Please call our office at (970) 498-7878 to speak with a technician. A temporary permit may be issued to allow the owner to obtain the VIN Verification.
8. Trucks with an empty weight of 4,501-10,000 pounds must present proof of the empty weight by either providing a copy of the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or a weight slip.
9. Proof of insurance - See insurance requirements