Transfer ownership of a vehicle after someone dies

After someone dies their family can apply for a temporary vehicle license for one year.

Within that time, you can apply to transfer ownership to the legal beneficiary or spouse.

After transferring ownership, you'll need to pay the annual licensing fee and take a roadworthiness test.

To transfer ownership, you'll need to:

1. book an appointment to apply in person at a licensing bureau
2. bring:
   • an original identifying document establishing a first degree relationship
   • the death certificate
3. take a roadworthiness test after getting the temporary license
4. apply to transfer ownership of the vehicle to the legal beneficiary or spouse (according to the will or inheritance order) within one year, at a licensing bureau

Required documents for transfer of ownership to the spouse

To transfer ownership to the spouse, if there is no will, for private cars, motorcycles, private minibuses, pasenger vehicles up to to 5,000 kilograms you'll need:

• the vehicle license
• your original ID card
• a declaration signed in the presence of a lawyer, stating that you are the sole spouse or common-law spouse

Required documents for transfer of ownership to beneficiaries

You'll first need to get a Will Probate Order or Inheritance Order.

You'll need:

• IDs of all beneficiaries
• the death certificate
• the original court issued probate or inheritance order
• if there is more than one beneficiary, but you are applying to transfer ownership to a single beneficiary, also bring Appendix A to Procedure 1/2018 "Registration of change of ownership of an inherited vehicle"