Cash Purchase Checklist
Provide the following to register a newly purchased vehicle from a private party if paid in cash:
- Secure and verifiable ID
- Title (notarized if required on the title)
- Proof of insurance
- Notarized bill of sale or motor vehicle bill of sale (100 KB)
- Verification of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Odometer disclosure statement if the vehicle is less than ten years old:
- Disclose on title, secure dealer bill of sale or secure power of attorney
- Include odometer reading
- Hand-printed names and signatures of seller(s) and
buyer(s) is required
- Weight slip is required with an out-of-state title for the following:
- Motor homes, cargo vans, and trucks if the empty weight is over 4,500 pounds and not listed on title
- Trailers weighing more than 2,000 pounds
- Contact the Motor Vehicle Division if the vehicle has been modified
- License plates and current registration from previously owned vehicle (if applicable)
- Proof of emissions test if required:
Financed Purchase Checklist
Provide the following to register a vehicle purchased from a private party if financed:
- Complete paperwork from lien holder, if not sent to Motor Vehicle Division
- Security agreement or loan documents
Sales Taxes
Sales taxes are collected at the time of titling and/or registration.
Estimated Fees
Registration fees cannot be estimated over the phone or by email. Estimates may be obtained by using the calculator.
Registration Timelines
A buyer can operate a newly purchased vehicle on the highway prior to registration if the vehicle was purchased on the following:
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Legal holiday
- 5 p.m.–8 a.m., Monday-Friday
The buyer must carry the following documents in the vehicle:
- Bill of sale signed by the buyer and seller
- Proof of insurance
Visit a Motor Vehicle Division office on the next business day to register the vehicle. The seller’s license plates are not transferrable to the buyer.
License Plate Information
Colorado issues license plates for a 12-month period. Renew your registration during the month indicated on the registration or during the following month, known as the one-month grace period.
Late Fees
Colorado law requires residents to pay late fees. Late fees may not exceed $100. Temporary permits are not subject to a one-month grace period (C.R.S. 42-3-112, 42-3-114).