§ 39-05-17 — Transfer of title of vehicle - Endorsement required - Certificate of title delivered - New certificate obtained - Penalty

delivered - New certificate obtained - Penalty.
1. The owner or transferor of a motor vehicle who transfers title to a vehicle shall endorse
an assignment and warranty of title upon the certificate of title for the vehicle. The
owner or transferor shall include on the assignment and warranty of title the name of
the transferee and the selling price of the vehicle if applicable.
2. If legal title passes to the transferee, the owner shall deliver the endorsed certificate of
title to the transferee within thirty days of the date the vehicle was purchased.
3. If legal title passes to a lienholder rather than the transferee, the transferee shall
endorse a statement that the lienholder holds the lien and shall send the certificate of
title to the department with an application for a new certificate of title showing the
names of the new owner and lienholder. The certificate of title when issued must be
sent by the department to the lienholder or the department may use an electronic lien
notification procedure in lieu of sending a certificate of title to a lienholder.
4. Within thirty days of receiving the title, the transferee shall deliver the endorsed
certificate of title to the department with a transfer fee of five dollars, and shall make
an application for a new certificate of title. In addition to any other penalty, the
registration to a motor vehicle may be suspended or revoked if the transferee fails to
present the endorsed certificate of title to the department for transfer and make
application for a new certificate of title within thirty days. The department shall deliver
the new certificate of title to the lienholder with priority. If there is no lienholder, delivery
must be made to the owner.
5. A violation of this section by an owner, lienholder, or transferee is a class B
misdemeanor.