When the owner of a vehicle decides to sell or give it to a third party, he must comply with the regulations in force. Indeed, the former owner of the machine must make a declaration of transfer. This approach aims to formalize the act in the eyes of the competent authorities. Following this operation, the former owner no longer has the right to the car and the new purchaser then becomes his sole responsible. How does this process take place? Find out in this article what you need to know about the declaration of transfer of a vehicle.
What is a vehicle transfer certificate?
As part of the sale or donation of a vehicle on French territory, both parties are required to complete a transfer certificate in duplicate. When completed, this document commits the buyer as well as the former owner and allows the transfer of ownership to be recorded with regard to the administration, i.e. the declaration of transfer.
If you wish to make the declaration of transfer of your vehicle, the production of a certificate of transfer is essential. When fully completed by both parties, this document attests to their agreement regarding the transfer of ownership of a specific vehicle. It is important to know how a certificate of transfer is completed. You will find more details through this website. Since cessation is about the transfer of ownership, it is obvious that the vehicle passes from one user to another. That said, several aspects must be taken into account throughout this process.
Certificate of transfer: who keeps what?
Once the deed is completed, some sellers wonder what to keep. Indeed, the former owner must keep a copy of the transfer certificate. The information on this document can be used to declare the transfer of the vehicle. This document then gives him the possibility of legally justifying that he is no longer the owner of the vehicle and that he is exempt from all liability. This also applies to the new user who will be able to certify his ownership of the vehicle. The car insurer can also request this document from the former owner in order to terminate the contract.
It is recommended that vehicle sellers or donors keep the mechanics’ invoices as well as copies of the technical inspection report for a period of 5 years. This corresponds to the period during which the new acquirer can request the cancellation of the transaction in accordance with fraud.
Be aware that fraud implies that the seller has voluntarily decided to deceive the buyer from the start. Otherwise, the possibility of cancellation of the sale can only be valid for 2 years in accordance with the guarantee against hidden defects.
Is the transfer certificate free or paid?
The certificate of transfer which acts of the transfer of ownership must be completed through the online form Cerfa 15776. The latter is accessible free of charge online. One of the two parties will have to download it then print it before completing it by hand. It is also possible to complete the form online before printing it.
Please note, however, that the form must be printed in color and must not contain any erasures. In the event of a defect or irregularity and in order to avoid cases of fraud, the service could invalidate the declaration.
How to complete the transfer certificate before the declaration?
The transfer certificate must be completed on the initiative of the seller or the donor, that is to say the owner of the vehicle. Thus, a car purchased as part of a long-term rental and which cannot be sold is not affected by this process. The only possibility is a leasing contract with the authorization of the financing company.
You must keep in mind that the holder of the gray card is not necessarily the owner of the assigned vehicle.
The 3 parts of the transfer certificate
The transfer certificate actually has 3 components that should not be overlooked. You have :
- The section relating to the identity and address of the seller or donor
- The section relating to the identity and address of the purchaser
- The vehicle information section, which you will need to complete with a gray card.
It is essential that the various sections be filled in with all the necessary information and that the certificate be signed by both parties. The date and time of the transaction must also be mentioned.
The form number to be entered on the transfer certificate
The certificate must also include the form number of the gray card of the vehicle in question. This is on the front of the card just below the inscription “Certificate of Registration”. You will still find it on the detachable coupon of the gray card.
In the case of a vehicle registered under the format of the old registration system, you will have to leave the field dedicated to the formula number.
In the event of co-ownership, the seller or donor must first obtain the agreement of all the other co-owners.
What are the documents to be gathered to make the declaration of transfer?
The transfer certificate is the main document for declaring the transfer of a vehicle with regard to the administration. In addition to this, other documents must also be present for the declaration to be compliant and accepted. To do this, you must have:
- Gray card. It must be crossed out with a diagonal line and signed by the owner or any co-owners.
- Of the certificate of non-pledge. It must be printed on a platform like Histovec for at least 15 days before the declaration of transfer.
- Technical inspection report. It must be dated less than 6 months, or less than 2 months in the event of a major failure. However, it is possible to transfer your vehicle to a professional without having to carry out a technical inspection.
In short, the declaration of transfer of a vehicle involves effectively completing the transfer certificate and gathering the various necessary documents. You can carry out all the tasks yourself or seek the services of a professional in the field.