This is a misconception as I mentioned earlier. People get away with not having a policy or the alternative proof of financial responsibility because the state does not require it prior to issuing registration. If you get into an accident and have neither, they can and will suspend your license and/or registration until you do…
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Prior to my career working in the Telecom industry I worked as a software consultant in the insurance industry. You do NOT need auto insurance in NH - UNLESS you had a previous accident where you were unable to pay damages or a DWI or second reckless driving offense. If you have a loan on the vehicle then the bank/CU will require you to have insurance. And it’s extremely dumb to NOT have insurance if you have any assets. One accident can wipe you out. The vast majority of uninsured drivers in NH are low-income drivers with no assets.
When a SR-22 (Proof of Insurance) is Required
The Division of Motor Vehicles may require that persons have insurance (SR-22). If you fall under an insurance filing requirement, the Division of Motor Vehicles will notify you of this in writing.
A Driver Record Report will reflect whether or not an individual is required to file proof of insurance. This information is displayed either as: “No proof of financial responsibility is required” or “Proof of financial responsibility is required.”
Suspension/Revocation
If you are placed under such a filing requirement, your license/operating and/or registration privileges cannot be restored or retained until this requirement is met.
If you are required to file proof of insurance with the Division of Motor Vehicles, you must contact an insurance representative/carrier to assist you in this process. The insurance company chosen must be licensed to do business in New Hampshire. The only document accepted is the uniform SR-22 certificate. This is not a form supplied by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Types of SR-22 Certificates
The DMV only recognizes the specific policy type listed on an SR-22 Certificate of Insurance. Those policy types are “Owner” and “Operator” SR-22. An “Owner SR-22” allows the person filing to own and register a vehicle as well as operate a motor vehicle. An “Operator SR-22” only allows the person filing to operate a motor vehicle. Please be advised that these terms may not be the same terms as an insurance company may use.
Certain Convictions that require filing proof of insurance (SR-22)
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Any DWI.
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Leaving Scene of Accident/Conduct After Accident.
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Subsequent (2nd) offense Reckless Operation.
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In Nevada the penalty for failure to show proof of insurance is $750, but the driver is given the opportunity to attend court and show proof of insurance. Law enforcement does not impound the vehicle. The time period between a lapse in insurance resulting in suspended registration is not long, so no insurance can lead to impounding the vehicle.
Until last July 1, 2025, the state of Virginia allowed anyone to register and title a vehicle without insurance by posting a $500 bond… Prior to that date, if you did not want to buy insurance or could not afford insurance on your vehicle (for example the owner was indigent…), the bond was all that was required. The owner was not stating that they had the financial resources to cover any injuries or damage they might cause… And in the case of being indigent, the state allowed them to make payments, or even apply for a waiver.
The $500 did not go into any special fund to reimburse anyone or anything they hit with their vehicle. All that was collected went straight into the General Fund…
At long last, the state changed the law requiring all registered vehicle to have the state minimum mandated insurance… But any vehicle registered up to last July 1st, and uninsured, may continue to operate until next June 30, 2026.
Not surprising, there was a rash of last minute registrations in the month of June for the program. And you wonder why Uninsured and Under Insured rates are so high…
It depends on the state
- Ryne Dangbar
Can a dealer sell a car without a title??? This is not an easy question to answer. It really depends on where you are, and the age of the vehicle…
In most U.S. states, a vehicle title is required for registration, as it serves as the primary proof of ownership. There are no states that universally allow vehicle registration with absolutely no proof of ownership; however, some states, notably Vermont and South Dakota, offer more flexible processes for certain situations, such as for older vehicles or non-residents.
Vermont does not issue titles for vehicles that are 15 years old or older; for these, the registration certificate serves as the ownership document. For vehicles that were not previously titled but are required to be titled in Vermont, an original or certified copy of the last registration certificate and bills of sale are required to establish a chain of ownership.
South Dakota is known for its streamlined registration process and allows non-residents to register vehicles using a mail-forwarding service address. While a title is generally required, the process is often simpler and can be completed remotely.
In Alabama and Mississippi in the past, these states did not require titles for very old vehicles (e.g., over a certain age limit) and a bill of sale was sufficient, though regulations may have changed and local requirements are strict.
If you do not have a title, you generally cannot simply register a vehicle with just a bill of sale in most states. Instead, you usually must follow a specific process to establish legal ownership and obtain a new title, which often involves one of the following methods:
Many states offer a bonded title process, where you purchase a surety bond to protect against a claim by a previous owner or lienholder.
If you are the legal owner and the title is simply lost or damaged, you can apply for a replacement title from the state that originally issued it.
In some difficult cases, a court order (often a “quiet title” action) may be needed to clear any liens or ownership disputes and award you the title.
Finally, I am no lawyer and I am only offering the above as advice (it’s Free so you know what it’s worth… 
),
So, it is crucial to check with the specific state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for their exact requirements, as procedures vary significantly and change periodically. You can typically use the state’s official website… Google them…
Actually I bought my 67 Buick wagon that way. Husband took off and wife was trying to make house payments. She and her friend took care of the title. That was 1976 so it worked.
If I were selling without a title temporarily I would just want make sure liability was transferred is all. Last I heard South Dakota plates were $35, so weep with me.
In most cases, a dealer cannot legally sell you a car without a title. The title is the official document proving ownership of a vehicle, and it must be transferred to the buyer during the sale. Without a title, you may not be able to register the vehicle, obtain license plates, or legally drive it.
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No title parts only car I have seen.
I think they can certainly sell you their interest in a car but like said the owners will have many limitations until a clear title is actually delivered. Now a car with a lien being traded can take some time to actually satisfy the bank and get the lien release, then can take some time to get a new title issued. Tough call for a buyer but certainly you’d want to withhold full payment until a title is received.
Am I the only one who thinks carspa is a Spammer?
Very possibly, but I think we have to watch for posts that promote his specific business model:
“Car Spa, Inc. provides professional automotive appearance, detailing, and reconditioning services for dealers, fleets, and businesses nationwide.”
What is really strange is that carspa had profile hidden in first post, then put all the info in the profile, then changed it back to hidden and now has the profile again.
Many states don’t allow car dealers to issue vehicle titles. The dealer submits the current title to the DMV, the new issued title is sent from the DMV to the new owner.
For example, Minnesota:
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I bought my current vehicle in PA, not very far from the NJ border. After the sale, the dealership’s runners took care of the paperwork at the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, and the title was mailed to me by the MVC.
I checked the website out, it is a drive through carwash that cleans the interior… There is only a hand full of them (15 total) in 4 states…
Carspa’s profile makes it sound like they are a mobile detailer that comes out to you and details your ride, but looks like they are just a fancy carwash…
If they had one in my area, I would try them out… lol
I am sure if they try to spam, one of us will catch it and flag it, so I wouldn’t loose any sleep over it…
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Here is a somewhat relevant news article from just today. As I used to say to some of my more recalcitrant students and counselees, “You seem to have a knack for throwing gasoline on a fire, instead of water”.
Must’ve taken a tone with him. 
Well, he showed them by smashing that $1,500 glass door! 
I just hope that he also did a major burn-out in the parking lot in order to show them that he is passionate about this issue.
What happens in the case of a lost title?
I consider myself a ‘human paper shredder’ considering my unparalleled propensity to losing any piece of paper (a store receipt, a boarding pass, medical instructions from a doctor, and yes - titles for two prior motor vehicles I owned..!) one hands or mails to me.