Updated July 29, 2024
A motor vehicle power of attorney is a legal document used to designate someone else (agent) to handle vehicle-related responsibilities. It must be signed in accordance with State law which commonly requires the principal to get the form notarized.
Commonly Used For
- Registration (DMV)
- Title transfers
- Sales transactions
- State inspections
- Insurance matters
- Repairs and maintenance
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
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Table of Contents |
How It Works (5 steps)
1. Gather Vehicle Information
The owner will have to gather their ownership records, including:
- Certificate of Title
- Registration
- Proof of insurance
- License plates
- 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.
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.
Vehicle power of attorney forms can be 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.
4. Signing
After downloading and writing the form, the principal, in most states, will be required to sign in the presence of a notary public. This can be completed in 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.
5. Using at the DMV
The agent must present a signed physical copy of the vehicle power of attorney form at the DMV. In addition, they must bring state or federally-issued identification to confirm that they are the person named as the agent.
Once verified, the agent can perform any acts for the principal at the DMV.
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 |
Sample
VEHICLE POWER OF ATTORNEY
I. THE PARTIES. This Vehicle Power of Attorney made this [DATE], is by and between:
Principal: [NAME] and a mailing address of [ADDRESS] who grants power of attorney to:
Agent: [NAME] with a mailing address of [ADDRESS] who accepts such powers and agrees to act on behalf of the Principal.
II. THE VEHICLE. The Principal agrees to grant power of attorney for the following:
Make: [MAKE]
Model: [MODEL]
Year: [YEAR]
Style: [STYLE]
VIN: [VIN]
III. POWERS GRANTED. The powers granted by the Principal include registration with the state and local authorities, change of ownership, titling of the vehicle, and any other related responsibilities. Such powers shall be for an indefinite period of time unless terminated by the Principal.
IV. EXECUTION.
Principal’s Signature: ______________________ Date: ____________
Date of Birth: ______________________
If an individual, Social Security Number: _____-_____-_______
If an entity, Federal EIN: ____-__________
For the comprehensive document, please download the free form or hit “create document.”