Many dealers want to do their transactions electronically. DMV has been very supportive of those efforts, allowing dealers to have all documents signed electronically, except the title and reassignment.
Many dealers have customers sign a reassignment form on every transaction, making it the only form that cannot be signed electronically. But a reassignment form is not necessary.
Here is the process that makes proper use of the reassignment and power of attorney forms:
- The dealer takes in trade a used vehicle with a lien. The trade-in customer signs secure POA (VAD 70-A) section A for odometer disclosure. If the trade-in vehicle does not have a lien, and the customer does not have the title, the customer should also complete VSA 67 to get a replacement title.
- The dealer sells the used vehicle to the customer while awaiting receipt of the title. The purchasing customer signs secure POA in section B.
- The dealership receives title and signs secure POA in section C.
- The dealer completes the assignments of title on behalf of the trade-in customer and the purchasing customer. If there are no remaining assignments on the title, the dealership can use a reassignment form or put the title in the name of the dealership.
Therefore, there is rarely a need for a customer to sign a reassignment form at the time of the sale. Dealers can complete necessary reassignments on behalf of their customers with the POA when the title is received.
The dealer can complete the entire transaction with the customer electronically, signing the necessary title documents that cannot be signed electronically later with the POA.