When do you need a power of attorney to transfer a vehicle?
A power of attorney for vehicle transfer is a document that gives another person the right to act for you when transferring a car. This means that if you are unable or unwilling to attend the relevant office in person, an authorised person can do this for you. This situation is quite common. Most often people use a power of attorney to transfer a car in the following cases:
- For example, you are at work, sick or living in another city.
- If you are buying a car through a car dealership, they often offer to handle thetransfer for you. However, in this case, they need a power of attorney from you to arrange the car transfer.
- The seller and buyer cannot meet: If both parties cannot attend the transfer, it is possible for only one party to carry out the transfer, who has a power of attorney with a certified signature from the other party.
Remember that the transfer of the vehicle must be made within 10 working days of the conclusion of the contract of sale. Both the seller and the buyer are responsible for the overwriting, and if the overwriting is not done within 10 days, you can be fined up to CZK 50,000. The power of attorney is valid for the period for which it is set or for the performance of the specific act for which it was intended.
How to write a power of attorney for car transfer?
Not to worry, you don’t need any complicated wording or a legal dictionary to write a power of attorney for car reassignment. All you need is a power of attorney that includes the following:
- Identification of the principal (the one who gives the power of attorney): name, address, birth number or ID number.
- Identification of the attorney-in-fact (the one who executes the transcript): also name, address, birth number or ID number.
- Vehicle details: Make, model, color, VIN code, license plate number.
- A clear statement of authority: For example, “I authorize Mr. XY to transfer the vehicle from my name to the buyer’s name”.
- Date and place of signature.
- Authorizer’s signature (and if required, a certified one).
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Does the signature on the power of attorney for vehicle transfer have to be certified?
In practice, it is quite straightforward to have a certified signature on a power of attorney for car transfer – most vehicle registers nowadays always require a certified signature, even if it is a normal transfer between two natural persons. Verification of the signature is the only reliable way for the authority to verify that the power of attorney was actually signed by the issuer. If the transfer is made on behalf of a legal person (for example, a company), a certified signature is an absolute necessity. Without a certified signature, the authority will not accept the power of attorney and will not carry out the transcription.
The recommendation is therefore clear: always sign the power of attorney with a certified signature – this will save you time and possible complications. Verification can be done at a notary, at Czech POINT (e.g. at the post office) or at the registry office.
Verification of the signature can be done at a notary, at a Czech POINT (post office) or at a registry office. The fee for signature verification is usually in the lower tens of crowns (CZK 30), but it may be slightly higher at a notary.
How is the transfer of a vehicle with power of attorney carried out?
Some of the documents for the vehicle transfer can now be sent to the authority electronically, for example via a data box. However, the vehicle transfer itself cannot be processed completely online – either the new owner or his/her attorney with power of attorney must always appear at the vehicle registry. There, the identity will be verified, the documents will be checked and the transfer will be carried out.
Once you have the power of attorney to transfer the car, your agent can go to the office. The actual process of car reassignment consists of several steps. First, the authorized person must arrive at the relevant vehicle registry with all the documentation. In addition to the power of attorney, he or she must also take with him or her the bill of sale, a large technical certificate, a small technical certificate, a valid green card (proof of insurance for the vehicle) and the proxy’s ID card. The registration check report is already looked up in the system. In addition, please note that you must pay an administrative fee for the transcription. The amount is typically CZK 800 for passenger cars, but it may vary (for example, when changing the operator or transferring a motorcycle).
An official at the vehicle registry will check all the documents and if everything is in order, the vehicle will be transferred to the new owner. Complications usually only arise if, for example, you are missing a document or the vehicle is blocked due to a repossession. In this case, the authority may refuse the transfer. Therefore, always check everything thoroughly beforehand.
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Tip: The transfer of energy to the tenant is one of the administrative issues that will be faced by anyone who wants to rent out their apartment or house. Often it is an unpleasant paperwork. We will advise you how to deal with it in the best possible way.
How long does it take to transcribe a vehicle?
The transcription itself can take just a few tens of minutes. However, if there is a queue at the office, as there often is, be prepared for a martyrdom lasting a couple of hours. But the transcription process itself is a formality that takes no more than a few minutes. If you want to avoid a lengthy wait, we recommend booking an appointment with the office online, if the office allows it.
When is a power of attorney for vehicle transfer most useful?
If you’ re selling or buying a car and can’t arrange the transfer yourself, a vehicle transfer power of attorney is the best solution. It will save you time, nerves and maybe even one unnecessary trip to the office. Just fill it in properly, sign it and hand it over to a trusted person who will handle the transfer for you. If you want to make sure that your power of attorney for car reassignment is properly written, let us prepare it for you. Just use our online legal advice service and let us know what kind of power of attorney you need.
Summary
A power of attorney for vehicle reassignment allows you to authorise another person to handle the car reassignment for you at the relevant authority. This is useful if you are unable or unwilling to attend in person, for example due to workload, illness or when buying a car through a car dealership. The transfer must be made within 10 working days of the purchase contract being signed or you could be fined. The power of attorney must include details of the principal, agent, vehicle and clearly stated authority to overwrite. Verification of signature is usually required, especially for legal persons. The transcription can be done in person at the vehicle registry or, for the most part, online via a data mailbox, and the agent must provide all the necessary documents, including technical certificates, the purchase contract and the green card. The fee for the transcription is typically CZK 800. The process can take just a few minutes, but can drag on for several hours due to queues. A power of attorney for vehicle transcription can save you time and hassle.
Frequently Asked Questions
By when do I have to transfer the car after purchase?
The vehicle must be transferred within 10 working days of the transfer of ownership. Failure to do so may result in a fine of up to CZK 50,000.
Is it necessary to have a certified signature on the power of attorney?
Yes, most authorities require a certified signature – they often won’t accept a power of attorney without one. Verification can be done at the post office, Czech POINT, registry office or notary.
Can the vehicle be transferred online?
To a large extent, yes. You can send the documents electronically, for example, by data mail, but the transcription itself must be completed in person – either by the owner of the vehicle or by an agent with power of attorney.
