A famous science fiction author named Poul Anderson once said, “I have never seen any problem, no matter how complicated that if you looked at it in the right way did not become even more complicated.”
That saying crossed my mind when I saw the new rules for transferring vehicles. If you have the occasion to buy or sell a vehicle, you should know the requirements so as to avoid extra trips to the municipio. I was told that the changes took place on January 1, 2017. Here they are, as posted in Dolega:
REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER
2 TRASPASO CARDS
2 COPIES OF THE INSPECTION REPORT (REVISADO)
ORIGINAL CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION (REGISTRO) AND ONE COPY
2 COPIES OF CEDULA OF SELLER (OR PASSPORT)
2 COPIES OF CEDULA OF BUYER (OR PASSPORT)
DEPOSIT RECEIPT FROM BANCO NACIONAL FOR $20
(NOTE: In the past the Dolega office has had them available for $21, but I didn’t think to ask. Otherwise you need to know the account number.)
IF ONE OF THE TWO PERSONS IS NOT PRESENT, THE TRASPASO CARDS, THE REGISTRATION (REGISTRO UNICO) AND A NOTE FROM THE ABSENT PERSON MUST BE NOTARIZED.
Another notice is posted in Dolega about changing the location of registrations of vehicles. It says:
ALL RELOCATIONS FROM ANY PART OF THE COUNTRY MUST BE INSPECTED BY THE DIJ (INVESTIGATIVE POLICE) WITH ITS COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION AFTER BEING RECORDED IN THE MUNICIPO TO WHICH TRANSFERRED.
I don't know how strict this requirement is or how it can be enforced if it is done after the transation is recorded at the municipio. Maybe Keith, the car guy, will clarify this.
I recently went through the process of transferring a registration from Panama City to Dolega. That process, too, has been changed and is handled by a nice young man named Arcinio Miranda (6863-6198) in the Tesoreria office. It's not cheap, but it's better than a trip to Panama City.
Replies
Do you need to get the Traspaso cards from where the vehicle is registered, or are they a generic fill in the blank type cards that you can get in any city?