Overview
Act 165 tightened that in 2024: any vehicle changing ownership now gets a Vermont title regardless of age, closing the loophole for new transfers. The old exemption survives only for vehicles that were already over 15 years old on January 1, 2024, and haven't changed hands since - plus a separate path for vehicles 25 years or older, which can still get an Exempt Title Affidavit if a resident wants one on file.
New Vermont residents get their own deadline: register a vehicle within 60 days of establishing residency. Use the calculator below to see what your specific transfer actually costs.
01 - Official fees
Vermont title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of title | $42.00 | |
| Lien recording (each lien) | $14.00 | |
| Exempt Title Affidavit (25+ years old) | $0 extra | in lieu of a standard title, if desired |
| Vehicles 15+ years, no ownership change since Jan 1, 2024 | No title required | |
| New resident registration deadline | 60 days | from establishing Vermont residency |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Vermont DMV - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a Vermont title
- 1
Confirm whether the vehicle needs a title at all - anything changing ownership now needs one under Act 165, regardless of age.
- 2
Seller signs the assignment section on the back of the title; all listed owners must sign.
- 3
Buyer completes the Registration, Tax & Title Application (VD-119), noting the odometer reading.
- 4
Bring the signed title, application, bill of sale, and ID to a Vermont DMV office.
- 5
Pay the $42 title fee (plus $14 if a lender is recording a lien) along with any tax and registration due.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Vermont vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Vermont title transfer FAQ
How much does a Vermont title transfer cost?
$42 for the certificate of title, plus $14 if a lender is recording a lien against it. That's separate from the 6% Purchase & Use Tax and registration fee due on the same transaction.
What was the 'Vermont title loophole' and is it still around?
For years, Vermont didn't require a title for vehicles over 15 years old - just a bill of sale - which people nationwide used to get a Vermont title on old vehicles with no clean paper trail. Act 165 (2024) closed this for new transfers: any vehicle changing hands now gets a Vermont title regardless of age. The exemption survives only for vehicles already over 15 years old on January 1, 2024, that haven't changed owners since.
Can a really old car (25+ years) skip titling entirely?
Vermont offers an Exempt Title Affidavit for vehicles 25 years or older, which lets a resident get an 'exempt' title on file without meeting the full standard title documentation - useful for antique or classic vehicles with incomplete ownership history.
I just moved to Vermont - how long do I have to title and register my car?
60 days from establishing residency. After that, driving on your old state's plates and title becomes a violation, separate from any registration or inspection requirements that apply once you title it in Vermont.
Is there a penalty for transferring the title late after a purchase?
Vermont doesn't impose a separate dollar penalty ladder for a late title transfer the way some states do. The practical risk is driving the vehicle before it's properly titled and registered, which is its own civil violation - get it done before you're on the road.
What if the seller only gave me a bill of sale, no title?
That's only valid if the vehicle genuinely qualifies for the grandfathered 15-year exemption (over 15 years old on Jan 1, 2024, with no ownership change since). For any other vehicle, Act 165 requires a proper Vermont title - a bill of sale alone won't get you registered.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.