Virginia: notifying the DMV after you sell

Virginia requires you to tell the Virginia DMV when you sell your car. Filing protects you from tickets, tolls or accidents involving the car after it leaves your hands.

At a glance

• Required? Yes, by law
• Deadline: Within 10 days of the sale
• Form: Report a Vehicle Sold or Traded (online)
• Where to file: Online, at a DMV customer service center, or by phone

How to file

1. Report the sale online on the Virginia DMV site, at a customer service center, or by phone.
2. List Plug as the buyer. Ask your Plug contact for Plug's name and address.
3. Save your confirmation.

Your license plates

• Remove your plates before pickup. They're yours, not the car's.
• Transfer them to another vehicle or return them for a refund.

Keep for your records

• Your filing confirmation or a copy of the form
• A copy of the signed title
• Your Bill of Sale

Official source

Virginia DMV: Buying and selling a vehicle

← Back to all states · Related: After the sale: insurance, registration and plates

DMV rules change. Last reviewed October 2026. Check the Virginia DMV site for the latest requirements.