The motor vehicle power of attorney is used by a vehicle owner to allow another person to handle certain responsibilities on their behalf, such as, registration, obtaining a certificate of title, or selling the vehicle. In most States, this form is required to be signed in the presence of a notary public in accordance with power of attorney laws in regards to property.
Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale – If the power of attorney was created to sell a vehicle on the owner’s behalf, this State-specific document will be required to facilitate the transaction.
By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Table of Contents
What is a Vehicle Power of Attorney?
Situations often occur when an owner of a vehicle (known as the “Principal”), which could be a company or an individual, needs the help of another person (known as the “Agent”) to handle vehicle-related tasks. You may choose whether to make your Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney specific or cover a broad range of purposes.
Use a Vehicle Power of Attorney if:
- You are unable to physically attend to the needs of your vehicle.
- Need an employee to file the appropriate paperwork/registration/title for a company vehicle.
- You need to appoint an attorney-in-fact to transfer title to a vehicle.
How to Use a Vehicle Power of Attorney
Before completing a Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney, you need to obtain the vehicle’s information including the Year, Make, Model, Style, Vin Number and Odometer (Milage Count). This information will be inputted into your Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney. Once you have this basic information, you need to choose an attorney-in-fact who will be acting on your behalf in regards to your vehicle.
Once your Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney is complete, it is necessary that the vehicle’s owner sign the document along with the signature of a Notary Public.
How to Give Vehicle Power of Attorney
Whether a vehicle needs to be titled, registered, purchased or sold, the owner can elect to choose someone else to handle these decisions through the use of a motor vehicle power of attorney form. The owner, known as the “Principal”, will be required to complete the form and sign in the presence of a notary public.
Step 1 – Gather Vehicle Information
The owner will have to gather their ownership records including:
- Certificate of Title;
- Registration;
- Proof of Insurance;
- License Plates; and
- any Other Documents that may be required by the local motor vehicle office.
This information will be used to certify the owner and verify vehicle information.
Step 2 – Select the Agent
Select an individual or company to handle the owner’s requests. This should be someone that is trustworthy and can handle the responsibility that is given to them.
Step 3 – Choose Powers
If the powers are restricted, make sure to define the agent’s limitations. For example, if the agent is only allowed to register the vehicle make sure to write it in a clear manner. Many vehicle power of attorney forms are written to allow someone else to sell a vehicle, therefore, make sure to write the form specific to the owner’s needs.
Vehicle Bill of Sale – Use as a purchase contract for a vehicle between a buyer and seller.
Step 4 – Signing in Front of a Notary Public
After downloading and writing the form, the principal will be required to authorize in the presence of a notary public. This can be completed any of the following ways:
- Physical Location
- Financial Institution (Bank of America, Chase, TD Bank)
- UPS Store
- Notary Directory (provided by the American Association of Notaries)
- Online
After the form is notarized the agent will be able to begin acting on their newly acquired powers.
How to Write a Vehicle Power of Attorney
It is best to use the State specified vehicle power of attorney document when writing. If your State does not have a specific form, you may use the generic one provided and fill-in.
Step 1 – Principal and Agent
In the first field, enter the name of the Principal (Vehicle Owner) including their mailing address. Follow by doing the same for the Agent (attorney-in-fact). To complete this step, input which State the vehicle is or will be registered.
Step 2 – Vehicle Information
Enter the Following information:
- The year of the vehicle
- Make
- Model
- Style
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Odometer reading
Step 3 – Vehicle’s Owner
If the vehicle’s owner is an Individual, input the owner’s date of birth and their social security number. If the vehicle is owned by a Company, enter a federal ID/EIN number. In our example, the vehicle is owned by an individual.
Step 4 – Signature(s)
- Principal’s signature
- Date of signature in mm/dd/yyyy format
Step 5 – Notarization
- The notary shall witness the Principal’s signature
- Notary shall then complete all of the required information in acknowledgment of the validity of the form
- The notary shall affix their official seal
Signing Requirements
| State | Form | Signing Requirements |
| Alabama | MVT 5-13 | Notarize |
| Alaska | Form 847 | Notarize |
| Arizona | 48-1001 | Notarize |
| Arkansas | N/A | N/A |
| California | REG 260 | Owner of Vehicle |
| Colorado | DR 2175 | Notarize |
| Connecticut | A-83 | Two (2) Witnesses & Notarize |
| Delaware | Form MV386 | Notarize |
| Florida | HSMV 82053 | Owner of Vehicle |
| Georgia | Form T-8 | Notarize |
| Hawaii | DMVL596-2-09 | Notarize |
| Idaho | ITD 3368 | Notarize if Applying for Duplicate Title |
| Illinois | Power of Attorney | Owner of Vehicle |
| Indiana | State Form 1940 | Notarize |
| Iowa | Form 411021 | Notarize |
| Kansas | TR-41 | Owner of Vehicle |
| Kentucky | Vehicle Power of Attorney | Notarize |
| Louisiana | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Notarize |
| Maine | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| Maryland | VR-470 | Owner of Vehicle |
| Massachusetts | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| Michigan | TR-128 | Owner of Vehicle |
| Minnesota | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| Mississippi | Form 78-003-10-1-1-000 | Notarize |
| Missouri | Form 4054 | Notarize (Not Required if Signing Electronically) |
| Montana | MV65 | Notarize |
| Nebraska | Power of Attorney | Notarize |
| Nevada | VP136 | Notarize |
| New Hampshire | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Notarize |
| New Jersey | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| New Mexico | MVD–11020 | Notarize |
| New York | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| North Carolina | MVR-63 | Notarize |
| North Dakota | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| Ohio | BMV 3771 | Notarize |
| Oklahoma | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| Oregon | Form 735-500 | Owner of Vehicle |
| Pennsylvania | Power of Attorney | Notarize |
| Rhode Island | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| South Carolina | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Notarize |
| South Dakota | MV-008 | Notarize |
| Tennessee | RV-F1311401 | Notarize |
| Texas | Form VTR-271 | Owner of Vehicle |
| Utah | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| Vermont | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| Virginia | VSA 70 | Owner of Vehicle |
| Washington | TD-420-050 | Notarize |
| West Virginia | DMV-9-TR | Notarize |
| Wisconsin | Motor Vehicle Power of Attorney | Certified Technician and Notary Public |
| Wyoming | Power of Attorney | Notarize |
