Power of attorney for vehicle transfer: How to send someone else to the office for you

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: Sometimes the seller needs to “sign out” the car first and then the buyer needs to “sign in” the car to themselves. A power of attorney to transfer the vehicle solves this problem elegantly.

Remember that the vehicle transfer must be done within 10 days of the conclusion of the contract of sale. The seller is responsible for the reassignment, and if the car is not reassigned within 10 days, the seller may be fined up to CZK 50,000. The power of attorney is valid until the actual act for which it was drawn up takes place.

How to write a power of attorney for car transfer?

Don’t worry, you don’t need any complicated wording or a legal dictionary to draw up 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).

Does the signature on the power of attorney for vehicle transfer have to be certified?

It’s a bit more complicated with a certified signature on a car transfer power of attorney. The requirement for a verified signature can vary from office to office. Generally, however, if it is a regular car transfer between two individuals, then signature verification is not required. However, if the car reassignment involves a legal entity (such as a business), then the authority may require signature verification. However, some authorities may also require a certified power of attorney for individuals. Therefore, always check with the specific office where you will be transferring the car beforehand.

Alternatively, you can have your signature verified at a notary, Czech POINT (post office) or 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?

You can now send an application for a car transfer online via a data box. Both the new and the old owner of the vehicle should send the application via their datacard to the relevant authority, which will process it. The new owner then only needs to go in person to collect the new vehicle documents.

Once you have the power of attorney to transfer the car, your agent can go to the office. The car reassignment process itself consists of several steps. First, the authorized person must arrive at the appropriate 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 an administrative fee for the transcription must be paid. This currently amounts to CZK 800.

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 occur if 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.

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 days of the purchase contract being concluded, otherwise you could be fined up to CZK 50,000. The power of attorney must contain details of the principal, the agent, the vehicle and a clearly stated authority to overwrite. Verification of the signature is not always necessary, but some authorities require it, especially for legal entities. Transcription can be done in person at the vehicle registry or online via a data box, and the agent must provide all the necessary documents, including the technical certificates, the purchase contract and the green card. The fee for the transcription is 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 trouble.