Monthly Archives: December 2018

Vehicles That Do Not Require a Title in Indiana

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When you purchase a car, truck, or SUV in Indiana, you are required to register the vehicle and obtain a certificate of title. However, you may be surprised to learn that not all motor vehicles require a title here in the Hoosier state. If you own a motor vehicle that you wish to sell, but you cannot locate the title, you may not even need it in the first place.

Continue reading to learn which vehicles are not required to have a title in Indiana.

ATV Buyers 317-608-2188
ATV Buyers 317-608-2188

A “motor vehicle” is not just a car or truck; it is any passenger occupied vessel that runs on a motor, whether that motor is electric or fuel-powered. This includes scooters, motorcycles, boats, personal water crafts, all-terrain vehicles, lawn mowers, tractors, and even certain kinds of construction and farming equipment. As for a certificate of title, many of these same motor vehicles are not even required to be titled.

According to In.Gov:

“A resident of Indiana is required to obtain an Indiana certificate of title for all vehicles, except for the following vehicles that are specifically exempt under Indiana law from being titled.”

Here are the vehicles listed:

➠ Motor-Driven Cycles

Motor-driven cycles are not motorcycles, which do require a certificate of title. In contrast, they are vehicles designed for just one rider, do not travel on more than 3 wheels, do not exceed 35 mph, and meet several other design requirements. Common examples of motor-driven vehicles would be motorbikes, scooters, mopeds, and similar motorized rides.

➠ Water Crafts

Water crafts that are not required to be registered with the state are also exempt from being titled. Water crafts are any type of vehicle that travels on water; but not all water crafts are exempt from registration and titles. Those that do not require a title are those that are non-motorized, such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, paddle boats, inflatable lifeboats, and some fishing boats.

➠ Off-Road Vehicles

Not all off-road vehicles can forgo a certificate of title; only those that were acquired before 2010 are eligible. Off-Road vehicles are those that can travel on various inclement terrains for long distances. Examples of off-road vehicles include ATV’s, amphibious vehicles, ground effect air cushion vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles, and vehicles powered by natural elements like wind and sun.

➠ Snowmobiles

Although it is not common to own a snowmobile in a state where snowfall is so inconsistent and low, some do. And for those that do, they do not need a certificate of title. Also included with snowmobiles are OTV’s, also known as other-terrain vehicles. These are motorized vehicles that can travel through mud, swamps, snow, ice, marshlands, and more.

➠ Special Machinery

Any type of motorized special machinery is not required to have a title. Examples include ride-on lawn mowers, tractors, golf carts, and any vehicle made by someone other than a manufacturer that does not exceed 25 miles per hour.

Voluntarily-Titled

Although these motor vehicles listed above are not required under law to be titled, an owner can choose to obtain a certificate of title if they want to. It is entirely optional, and depends mostly on personal preference. However, if a vehicle owner does volunteer for a title, they must, from then on, adhere to all regulations and requirements set forth by the state, even after the title expires.

Here’s What In.Gov Has to Say About Volunteer Titles:

“…once a title has been issued, the vehicle is subject to all title requirements under Indiana law, including an administrative penalty for future transfers of ownership, until the title is surrendered.”

No Title Junk Car Buyers

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188
Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car for cash in Indianapolis, today! We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. You will get the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. We buy all types of vehicles in all types of shape, running or not, and offer free towing and pick-up. No title? No problem!

How to Sell a Junk Car That Has No Title

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So you have finally come to the decision to get rid of that old, broken down, rusty junk car that has been taking up all your garage and driveway space for too many years! And then, “Uh Oh”, you enter full panic-mode because you cannot find the title document. So what do you do? The answer is actually quite simple, and will give you some much needed relief this holiday season!

Continue reading to learn what you need to do in order to sell a car without a title.

Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188

Junk Car Buyers 317-608-2188


Although a vehicle with a title is worth more because of the potential to resell, you do not necessarily need one to sell a car, especially if you are doing business with a scrap yard or junk car buying company. These enterprises are not in the business of buying and selling cars, but rather, buying cars and dismantling them for the valuable metal components within them.

In these cases, a car title would be quite moot to a junk car buyer. Instead, the primary purpose of a car title when selling a junk car to a scrapper would be to simply prove your ownership. After all, a junk car buyer does not want to purchase a vehicle from an unauthorized seller; this would be against the law. So how can you sell a junk car without a title, while still proving ownership? Well, there is more than one answer. It all depends on your personal preference, the resources available to you, and more.

Here are some possible options:

☑ YOU CAN REPLACE IT

The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will allow car owners to replace a lost, faulty, or stolen car title if they can meet all the replacement requirements. This new title will have “DUPLICATE” printed on its face to show that is it not the original document, but it will work just the same. Once a duplicate title is issued, the original one is no longer valid. Visit the BMV Duplicate Title Application page to get started.

☑ YOU CAN APPLY FOR AUTHORITY TO SELL

According to the BMV, “A person who owns a vehicle that has a certificate of title that is faulty, lost, or destroyed, or who is the possessor of an abandoned vehicle may apply to the BMV for authority to sell, give away, or dispose of the vehicle for scrap metal without applying for a certificate of title. An approved Certificate of Authority – Disposal of a Motor Vehicle – State Form 55018 must be provided to the automotive salvage recycler, or other appropriate facility when disposing of the vehicle.”

☑ YOU CAN PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP

Some junk car buyers may be able to verify ownership using alternative methods, such as the car’s registration, insurance policy, and other official legal documents. This policy differs among scrappers, so it is not always a guarantee. Be sure to learn about such policies before choosing a junk car buyer to work with.

No Title? No Problem!

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Cash for Junk Cars 317-608-2188

Call GC’s Junk Cars at 317-608-2188 to sell a junk car for cash in Indianapolis, today! We have been buying junk cars throughout the Central Indiana area for several years. You will get the best price for your car because you are selling directly to the scrap yard! There is never a middle man, which means you walk away with more cash in your pocket. We buy all types of vehicles in all types of shape, running or not, and offer free towing and pick-up.