If you’re raring to sell a car or indeed any kind of second-hand vehicle in Grenada, it’s time to pump the brakes a moment. Selling your vehicle on the island will mean you need to fill in and submit certain paperwork for everything to remain legal and above board – and to do that, you need to apply to transfer ownership of a vehicle through the Grenada Traffic Department, or GTD.
Let’s run through what documents you need to sell your vehicle in Grenada, and the process you should follow to make sure your sale completes as expected.
Documents you’ll need
Let’s cut to the chase. Before selling your vehicle in Grenada and applying to the GTD to transfer ownership, you’ll need:
- A completed application form (available from the GTD directly)
- A completed Transfer of Ownership form (which needs to be signed in the presence of a legal professional – specifically, an attorney-at-law, a notary public, or a justice of the peace)
- Proof of your identity (so, valid Grenadian ID such as your birth certificate, a passport, or a national ID card – ideally, something with a recent photo is a plus)
- Proof of fee payment (you’ll need to clear a fee to the local authority to validate an ownership transfer)
- A bill of sale (ideally proof of the sale having been made to your buyer)
- Proof of your address (so, a utility bill such as an electric statement, or your driver’s license)
- Registration documents for your vehicle
It’s worth noting here that, in some cases, you may be required to submit further documents, or alternatives to those you have provided. Remember, too, that you can submit and attach copies of the documents suggested above – don’t hand over the only copy of your birth certificate, for example!
Transferring ownership: The general process
That’s just the documents – here’s how the general ownership transfer (i.e., sale) process is likely to transpire provided you keep the sale within Grenadian borders:
- Start by heading to the GTD. As the applicant, you’re the seller of the vehicle. However, the buyer will also need to sign some documents, as we’ll discuss shortly.
- Obtain the relevant application form from the GTD and start filling out all details that apply. For the sale and ownership to fully transfer, you must complete all information requested that technically applies to you. Otherwise, raise a concern with the officer that provided you with the form.
- Attach copies of the documents mentioned in the checklist above. As mentioned, it’s vital you attach photocopies, not the originals. Otherwise, you might be left with some documents swimming around the system out of your control!
- Completing the official Transfer of Ownership form requires you to sign it in the presence of an attorney, a justice, or a notary public. Your buyer needs to do the same for the process to complete.
- Once all information has been submitted and relevant fees have been paid, the processing officers will analyse your application, and text you if there are any updates or concerns.
- At the end of the process, the new owner of the vehicle will receive shiny new documents confirming that your car is now theirs!
This is a simplified version of the process, and it’s well worth consulting the GTD with any questions or concerns you may have before you apply. Regardless, it’s vital to ensure the ownership of your vehicle transfers over to your buyer after the sale completes.
Otherwise, you may still be on the hook for any issues that arise with the vehicle – no one likes paperwork, but this is an absolute must!
How long will transfer of ownership for a vehicle in Grenada take?
Transfer of ownership can take up to 14 days, typically, but the process may be shorter or longer depending on what is required from you, or if there are any issues that the officers raise along the way.
Generally, it’s a good idea to get in touch with the GTD if the process has taken longer than two weeks (and your buyer has contacted you to see why they haven’t received documents). While it’s in your buyer’s best interests to chase this up themselves, it’s peace of mind for you once you know that paperwork is on its way through.
Remember, anyone who sells a vehicle in Grenada is eligible to apply for transfer of ownership, so once your sale has completed through Island Motors, you’ve been paid and the buyer has driven away, make sure you both follow this process to keep everything legal and above board.