Buying a new vehicle can be a slow process since it includes arranging to finance and registering the car, to paying for it and signing sales contracts. What can really slow down the process to a grinding halt is failing to have the right paperwork with you. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle and you’re not sure what you’ll need in order to leave the lot behind the wheel, then check out all the info you’ll need below!

Your Payment:

• Payment can be a check from a bank or credit union for a preapproved loan.
• When the dealership is handling the financing, the down payment, it can be in the form of a cashier’s check, a personal check or even a credit card payment.

The title for your trade-in vehicle:

• If you are trading in a vehicle, you will need proof that you own it.
• The car title, sometimes called the pink slip, shows that you are the owner.
• If there is a co-signer or a lien against the title, get the required signature ahead of time.

Current vehicle registration for trade-in:

• If you are trading in a vehicle, you will need a copy of your current registration.
• Verify that the registration is current, and also check that the sticker is on the license plate.

Proof of car insurance:

• To drive a new car off the lot, you need to prove that you have insurance on that car.
• Call ahead and set up the new insurance policy if you know which car you are buying.
• Or you can call from the dealership and give your insurance company the new car’s vehicle identification number (VIN). Your insurer will fax or email an insurance card to the dealership.

The account number for your trade-in’s loan:

• If you are trading in a used car for which there is an unpaid loan, you will need to bring the loan’s account number.

Rebate eligibility documents:

• If you want to take advantage of a special manufacturer rebate, such as a military or recent college graduate rebate, be sure to bring along supporting documents.