State
Select
City
Select
Make
Select
Model
Select
Price Under
Select
Mileage
Select
*T&C Applied
When buying a car from a private seller in New Jersey, you must obtain the original Certificate of Title. The seller must fill out the back of the title, including the date of sale, the purchase price, and the current odometer reading. As the buyer, you must also provide your driver's license number, name, and address. Both the seller and buyer must sign the back of the title. Ensure the seller's name on their ID matches the name printed on the front of the title.
Yes. New Jersey requires vehicles to pass an emissions inspection every two years. When you purchase a used car, the inspection sticker on the windshield remains valid until its expiration date. You are responsible for getting the vehicle inspected before that date. Safety inspections are no longer required for most passenger vehicles.
While a properly completed title is the main legal document, a bill of sale is highly recommended. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) may require it to verify the purchase price, especially if it seems unusually low. A bill of sale should include the vehicle’s VIN, year, make, and model, the purchase price, date of sale, and the names and signatures of both the buyer and seller.
You will be required to pay a 6.625% state sales tax on the purchase price of the vehicle. This tax is paid directly to the NJMVC when you title the vehicle, not to the seller. If you paid less than fair market value, the NJMVC might require additional documentation to justify the price. You will also pay separate fees for the title transfer and vehicle registration.
Check the front of the title for any listed lienholders. If a bank or credit union is listed, the seller must provide you with a lien release letter from that financial institution proving the loan has been paid in full. Without this document, the NJMVC will not issue a clean title in your name.
To complete the title transfer and registration, you will need to bring the following:
The original New Jersey title, signed by both the seller and you, with the purchase price listed.
Your valid New Jersey driver's license.
Proof of current New Jersey liability insurance.
A completed Universal Title Application (Form OS/SS-UTA).
Payment for the 6.625% sales tax, title, and registration fees.
Navigate New Jersey's Private Car Market: Documents, Inspections, and Safety Tips.
View NJ Guide
6010 W. Spring Creek Pkwy,
Plano, TX 75024
© 2026 KarKiosk. All rights reserved.
List Your Car
