VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions NY state Bill of Sale

Can someone explain the Bill of Sale thing in NY. I was looking at buying a truck from a guy in NY. When I asked about a title he said All I needed was a Bill of Sale and that's how NY registers cars. I didn't buy the truck for other reasons but now I'm looking at buying another in NY and I need to understand how the state of NY handles the transfer of a vehicle. I live in PA if that makes a difference.

I would contact DMV in Pa before you get started. You may need to talk to a supervisor. I believe it was Il. that no longer accepts NY registrations as well as other states....Joe

I'm looking at NYs DMV site but I might as well be reading Chinese. It's about as bad as PAs site. I can't pass up this car so I need to figure something out.

I'd go talk to a DMV supervisor in person. On site stuff is sometimes like stereo instructions...Joe

The following are the NYS rules for transfer of ownership of a vehicle;
1973 and later - transfer done using title of vehicle
1972 and earlier - transfer is done using a transferable registration if the vehicle was registered in NY, or transfer is done by proof of ownership for that vehicle issued by another state (you may have to get what proof of ownership entails from the other state). This is how NY determines and transfers ownership. Your state may require something else. I brought a couple of cars into NY from AL. Since AL was a non-title state, NY accepted the Bills of Sale as transfer of ownership. I don't know what PA will accept. Beamer

I'm not worried about PA so much. I'm more concerned about the NY transfer. Typical, the guy says he doesn't have a title but I need to talk to him. I think he inherited the car. I guess I need to find out more information on his side.

I see you are in PA. Why are you concerned about the NY transfer? That is simple. Look at what I sent above. If he inherited the car, the previous owner must have had some document showing ownership. That proof would transfer to him and he could use that document to transfer the vehicle to you. If he still claims he has no paperwork, then you either need a lawyer or steer clear of him. Beamer

As Beamer pointed out in NYS all you get is registration for 1972 and older no title just a card that has all of the needed info on it, I would not buy nothing from NYS without a transferable registration, if he does not have that then stay clear! He is full of it saying that all you need is a bill of sale
John

Sounds like you need to stay away from this dude!

Thanks for all the info guys but it doesn't matter anymore. Because of all the interest in the car the guy has decided to put it on eBay. I refuse to buy anything from eBay unless it has a buy-it-now.