How to Sell a Car Privately in North Dakota
Selling your car yourself in North Dakota comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- The seller completes the assignment and warranty of title on the certificate of title, naming the buyer and the purchase price and date, and signs and dates it. nd.gov
- If the title lists owners joined by AND, all must sign; if it uses OR, either owner may sign. nd.gov
- Failing to follow these title-transfer duties is a class B misdemeanor for an owner, lienholder or transferee. ndlegis.gov
License plates
- The seller removes the license plates when selling, and the vehicle is then considered unlicensed. nd.gov
- Unused months on the seller's plates can be credited toward registration of a replacement vehicle if the plates are transferred to it, with an extra $5 fee on that application. nd.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- The buyer pays a motor vehicle excise tax of five percent of the purchase price when applying for the title and plates. ndlegis.gov
- A cash payment to an individual for a vehicle does not count as a trade-in credit that reduces the taxable price. tax.nd.gov
- The buyer pays a $5 title transfer fee plus license fees that depend on the vehicle's year and weight. nd.gov
Loans and liens
- A seller who accepts payments over time must be named as lienholder on the new title and cannot hold back the title until the buyer pays in full. nd.gov
- After a loan is paid, the lienholder must release the lien and deliver the title to the owner within ten days. nd.gov
- NDDOT's Release of Lien by Legal Owner (SFN 2876) is signed by the lienholder before a notary public or authorized officer. dot.nd.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- For vehicles less than nine model years old, the seller must complete a Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (SFN 18609) that the buyer also signs. dot.nd.gov
- The department may not transfer the title without the required damage disclosure statement, and violations are a class A misdemeanor. ndlegis.gov
- A vehicle damaged above 75 percent of its retail value must have its title forwarded to the department within ten days. ndlegis.gov
Frequently asked questions
What happens to the license plates when I sell my car in North Dakota?
The seller removes the license plates when selling, and the vehicle is then considered unlicensed. Unused months on the seller's plates can be credited toward registration of a replacement vehicle if the plates are transferred to it, with an extra $5 fee on that application.
Official North Dakota resources
- NDDOT: Motor Vehicle Division
- NDDOT: Transportation FAQ (selling and buying a vehicle)
- NDDOT: Motor Vehicle Registration Manual
- NDDOT: Private Party Vehicle Bill of Sale (SFN 62502)
- NDDOT: Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (SFN 18609)
- NDDOT: Assignment and Warranty of Title (SFN 2877)
- North Dakota Century Code ch. 39-05
Next steps
Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.