Title: Moving With a Leased Car: Can You Do It? | Carvaygo URL: /moving-leased-car Meta Description: Not sure what you have to do to move with a leased car? Check out the details and challenges of moving with a leased car in this breakdown.

Moving With a Leased Car: Can You Do It?

When you move with a vehicle you own the title to, things are relatively straightforward. You just bring the vehicle with you and update your registration! But what about moving with a leased car? Is it possible and, if so, what are the details?

Read on to discover the answers to these questions and more.

What You Need To Know About Moving With a Leased Car

If you plan to move with a leased car, keep in mind you’ll have to jump through some extra hoops and hurdles. Otherwise, you could technically drive in a legal car around your new state or home!

Understanding the Lease Agreement

First, take a close look at the lease agreement for your vehicle. Your lease agreement will break down whether the car can be moved, whether it can be driven out of state for an extended period of time, and much more.

Your lease might not allow you to permanently move your car depending on:

• The policy of the lessor (e.g., the leasing company)
• Whether the leasing company has any locations near your home where you can return it if needed

For example, you may lease a car from a company that never allows you to move a leased vehicle whatsoever. But another company might let you move your leased vehicle if it has a registered office near your future destination (in case they need to repossess the leased vehicle or if you need to return it later down the road).

How To Amend the Lease Agreement

If your lease agreement does allow you to move a leased car, you may have to amend it. To do this, you’ll need to call your lessor and let them know you are planning to move to another state. Your request may need to be in writing.

Once the lessor amends the agreement, you’ll need to sign the amended lease (if applicable). Once more, be sure to read over your lease carefully to make sure you understand all the terms and conditions.

How To Register Your Leased Car

Don’t forget that your vehicle will need to be both reregistered and retitled. The registration and title, after all, are different things.

You can register your leased car in a new state after retitling it. You’ll receive a new license plate and documentation showing that it is safe and roadworthy. Most states require you to complete reregistration within 10 days, so don’t delay this crucial errand.

To do this, you’ll need a licensed copy or the original copy of the car title, a limited power of attorney, your driver’s license, the current registration, and proof that you paid the lease taxes in your new state of residence.

How To Retitle Your Leased Car

To retitle your new car (a necessity in most states after you move), you should contact the local titling authority in your new city or town and find out the specific requirements. In most cases, you’ll need a temporary power of attorney and your lessor.

Then you’ll have to provide some crucial documents to the local DMV and retitle the car. Note that some leasing companies may help you take care of this by providing you with the requisite paperwork.

Above all else, remember to call your leasing company and ask about moving a leased car. Even if your leasing company doesn't allow it, they may provide you with resources or other guidelines to help make your move as smooth and streamlined as possible.

Moving With a Leased Car: FAQs

1. How Much Does It Cost To Move With a Leased Car?

When you move with a leased car, you’ll only have to pay titling and registration fees for your new state of residence. Depending on your state and the type of vehicle you have, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars for both fees combined.

Of course, don’t forget all the other fees associated with moving to a new state, like paying for a moving van, hiring movers, etc.

2. Moving In-State vs. Out-of-State

When you move in-state, you likely won’t have to contact your leasing company whatsoever. Car registration and titling documents focus on states, not hometowns or cities.

Thus, if you stay in the same state, the vehicle’s title and registration will stay the same, so your leasing company won’t care.

3. How Do You Return the Vehicle Out-of-State?

Most vehicle leases require you to return your vehicle to the location where you originally leased it. To do that, you'll need to drive the car yourself to the leasing office or parking lot.

You can't hire car haulers to deliver your leased vehicle for you, as you'll need to be present to sign the final paperwork, to return the title and registration paperwork, etc.

4. What Do You Do If You Can’t Move the Car?

If you can’t move your car, it may be a wiser idea to purchase a different vehicle or to rely on dedicated movers instead. If you can’t move a leased vehicle, don’t try to do so anyway; if the leasing company figures out your intentions, you could be saddled with heavy fines and other penalties.

Maybe you should buy a car online, that have it delivered to your final destination. Just be sure you understand all the fees associated with this decision, like a bill of lading for car transport.

Choose the Right Auto Transport Company To Move Your Leased Car

Since your vehicle is a lease, it’s imperative that it arrives at its final destination without a major scratch on it. Therefore, you need to choose the right auto hauling company to move your leased car safely. You can count on us to deliver any leased car in your possession safe and sound to whatever destination you specify.

Our knowledgeable, experienced car hauling experts will:

• Work with you to determine the right pickup time and place
• Stay in touch with you throughout the duration of the journey so you know where your vehicle is
• Deliver your vehicle as close to the perfect destination as possible
• Guarantee that it will arrive safe and sound

Bottom Line

As you can see, you can move with a leased car, but it’s easier than you think to accidentally violate the policies of your leasing company or drive in a legal vehicle without knowing it. Do a lot of research beforehand prior to deciding whether to move with a leased car — you’ll thank yourself later!

In some cases, it might be wiser to fully purchase or pay off a vehicle before moving, then haul that car to your final destination. If that sounds like a smart strategy to you, contact us today for information about our car hauling services.

Sources:
Can I Move My Leased Car Out of State? | Moving.com
How Does Leasing a Car Work? | Experian
What Is Vehicle Registration? | Progressive
Car Title Guide: Everything You Need to Know | Kelley Blue Book