Lost Your Car Title? Here’s What to Do

LONG

08/02/2025

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Car

“Losing important documents is never fun, especially your car title. But don’t worry, this guide will walk you through the process of recovering a lost car title quickly and efficiently.”

I. Losing Your Car Title: A Common Concern for Car Owners

This morning, Mr. Tuan from Cau Giay District, Hanoi rushed into the Thaco Truong Hai truck dealership on Pham Van Dong Street, panicked and worried: “I lost my truck title, what should I do now?”. It turned out that his wallet, containing the original title of his newly purchased Thaco Towner 990kg truck, had been stolen.

Man worried about losing his car title

Mr. Tuan’s situation is not uncommon. Losing a car title is a serious issue that causes many difficulties for the owner, especially in cases of:

Buying and selling a car: Without the original title, buying, selling, or transferring ownership is virtually impossible.
Vehicle inspection: The original title is one of the mandatory documents for vehicle inspection.
Loan procedures: Many banks require the original car title as collateral for loans.

II. What to Do If You Lose Your Car Title?

So, if you unfortunately lose your car title, what should you do? Here’s a detailed guide to the necessary steps:

1. Report to the Police

As soon as you discover that your title is missing, go to the nearest police station to report the incident. Provide complete information about the vehicle, the time, and the place where the title was lost so that the authorities can assist you effectively.

2. Publicly Report the Loss

Along with reporting to the police, you should post a lost car title announcement on media outlets such as newspapers, social media… so that anyone who finds it can contact you to return it.

3. Apply for a Duplicate Title

After completing the two steps above, you need to contact the traffic management authority where the vehicle was registered to apply for a duplicate title.

The procedure for applying for a duplicate car title includes:

Application for a duplicate vehicle title.
Copy of your ID card/Citizen ID.
Vehicle registration certificate (if any).
Verification report from the police station where you reported the loss.
Other documents as required by the authorities.

The processing time for a duplicate title is usually about 15 working days.

III. Frequently Asked Questions About Lost Car Titles

1. How much does it cost to apply for a duplicate car title?

The cost of applying for a duplicate car title will depend on the type of vehicle and the regulations of each locality.

2. If the original title is not found, can it be replaced?

You can still get a duplicate car title even if the original is not found. However, the procedure will be more complicated and time-consuming.

Man applying for a duplicate car title

IV. Tips to Help You Protect Your Car Title

To avoid the frustrating situation of a lost car title, you should keep in mind the following:

Make notarized photocopies of the original title and keep them in several safe places.
Do not leave the original title in the car trunk or other easily accessible locations.
When going for vehicle inspection or other related procedures, bring both the original and a photocopy for comparison.

V. Conclusion

Losing your car title is an undesirable incident, but if it happens, stay calm and follow the instructions above. Visit XE TẢI HÀ NỘI’s website for more useful information about vehicles and traffic laws. Don’t forget to visit our reputable truck dealerships in districts across Hanoi such as: