How a Dealer Ownership Transfer Works in Ireland

Have the Vehicle Registration Certificate ready

The Department of Transport says a seller transferring a vehicle to a motor dealer should give the dealer the Vehicle Registration Certificate or Vehicle Licensing Certificate and complete the dealer-transfer process. The dealer’s Garage Identity Code is part of the record.

If the certificate is missing or its details are wrong, raise that before the appointment. Do not wait until the keys are being handed over to discover that replacement documents are needed.

Motortrans records the vehicle in the motor trade

Give Me The Reg uses Motortrans for the dealer ownership transfer. We complete it at handover and email the confirmation with the purchase receipt, so the seller has a dated record of what was done.

The transfer confirmation is separate from proof that payment arrived and, where finance exists, separate again from the lender’s settlement confirmation. Keep all three when they apply.

Check the details before leaving

Confirm the registration, seller, dealer and sale date on the documents. Keep copies and use the official Department of Transport ownership service if you need to check the status later.

Never hand a verification code or ownership document to an unknown person merely because they claim to represent a dealer. Confirm the business and the agreed appointment first.

Useful next steps

• Our complete purchase process
• Post-sale checklist
• Contact Eoghan and Brian

Official guidance

• Department of Transport: sale to a motor dealer