How To Fix a DMV Error on Your Title

Wrong owner? Wrong mileage? Wrong VIN? You might be able to fix an error on your title quickly.

Steven Lang | 

Aug 11, 2023 | 3 min read

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As a car salesperson, I had a customer who experienced a real-life nightmare. The registration for the $8,000 Chevrolet Spark I sold to that customer's teenage son last year wasn't renewable. According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, which is our state's version of the department of motor vehicles (DMV), the Spark in question needed to wait for corrected paperwork before the teen could drive it legally on public roads.

The worst part of this story is that the situation was my fault. My dealership had typed the wrong vehicle identification number (VIN) on the original bill of sale. As a result, my customer had a nasty mess that I needed to clean up.

Here's what I learned about dealing with an error on a vehicle title, especially when it's not the car owner's fault.

What If a Dealership Made the Mistake?

I have processed more than 2,000 titles, and sadly, nearly every error on a title was my dealership's fault. If you purchased a vehicle at a dealership, chances are your DMV processed your paperwork electronically. An error on your title was likely due to a typographical mistake at the dealership.

Contact the dealership in writing about the error. An email or text is acceptable, but call to follow up on the same day. Most title errors can be easily rectified, thanks to specific correction forms available online through your DMV or tag office.

Misspelled Names

The DMV can easily handle one letter or number in the wrong place for free. Nearly every state has an affidavit for correction form. These simple forms list the most common errors, from misspelling your name to assigning the title to the wrong person.

Wrong Mileage and Incorrect VIN

Some states will allow the buyer and seller to sign an odometer discrepancy affidavit to remove an incorrect mileage reading or a VIN verification form for an incorrect VIN. Your vehicle may need to be inspected by law enforcement to verify the corrected information. Most likely, you will have to schedule an appointment with local law enforcement to get the necessary form signed and notarized.

Wrong Address

If your driver's license shows an old address, the DMV likely sent your title and tag there. Try contacting the current resident of your old place — you might get lucky and find they've already received the title and tag. Or you may need to go to the DMV, fill out a change of address form, and bring proof of your current address. A recent lease or utility bill showing your address is usually acceptable.

A True DMV Error

If you bought the vehicle from a private individual and have an error, you can make everyone's life easier. Bring the incorrect title to the DMV or tag office with a brief typewritten statement of the error and the original bill of sale.

The DMV or tag office can offer guidance. They may already have the form you need and a notary on site. Follow their instructions to the letter, and you should eventually get your title back error free.

Steven Lang

Steven Lang is a special contributor to Capital One with nearly two decades of experience as an auto auctioneer, car dealer, and part owner of an auto auction. Some of the best-known auto publications turn to him for his expert insight. He is also the co-developer of the Long-Term Quality Index, a survey of vehicle reliability featuring over two million vehicles that have been inspected by professional mechanics.