How does a vehicle TOD beneficiary work in Virginia?

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Virginia names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate (Va. Code 46.2-633.2). You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

Free Virginia Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Virginia vehicle transfer on death form. Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle without probate. No notarization required. PDF download.

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Owner Information

Enter your information as the registered owner. If the vehicle is jointly owned, you can add the second owner below.

How is the vehicle titled?*

Choose "Jointly owned" if two people are on the title. All owners must sign the application; the transfer to the beneficiary occurs upon the death of the last surviving owner, and nothing limits the rights of a surviving owner.

I am the sole ownerJointly owned with one other person

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Driver License / ID Number

Most state titling forms ask for the owner’s driver license or ID number.

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

State Where the Vehicle Is Titled*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Virginia names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate. You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime, and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

In Virginia, you make the designation through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using Beneficiary Transaction Request (Form VSA 18). Notarization is not required. See all Virginia signing requirements.

You file the completed designation with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by mail to Virginia DMV Titling Department, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269 or in person. Adding, changing, or removing a TOD beneficiary is a paper title transaction: submit the Virginia title, VSA 18 (Beneficiary Transaction Request), VSA 67 (Substitute Title), and the substitute-title fee by mail to the Titling Department or in person at a DMV customer service center (a drop-off service is also offered). There is no online path to add a beneficiary.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in Virginia, if the beneficiary does not survive the owner, or does not apply for a certificate of title within 120 days of the death of the owner, the beneficiary or the beneficiary's estate has no right to obtain title to the vehicle under this section.

Virginia allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for any exceptions.

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation in Virginia is revocable during your lifetime at any time. Virginia recognizes: File form VSA 18 to remove or change the beneficiary (with VSA 67 and the substitute-title fee for an already-titled vehicle).; Sell the vehicle and deliver the certificate of title to another person.; Recording of a lien or security interest on the vehicle cancels the beneficiary designation..

No. A vehicle TOD designation only transfers the vehicle named on the title. Bank accounts, your home, and other property pass through whatever else you have in place — a will (probate) or a trust. A revocable living trust covers everything in one document. Set up a revocable trust if you want a single instrument for the whole estate.

Virginia Vehicle Transfer on Death

Virginia allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle title: Yes. It names someone to receive the vehicle directly at your death, without probate. You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime — you can sell the vehicle, or change or cancel the designation, at any time.

In Virginia, the designation is made through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using Beneficiary Transaction Request (Form VSA 18). Notarization is not required. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

Virginia extends the designation beyond cars: it covers motor vehicle, trailer, and semitrailer. A certificate of title with a designated beneficiary shall not be issued if any owner is not a natural person, or if the vehicle is encumbered by a lien or security interest.

A vehicle TOD designation covers only the vehicle on the title — not your home, accounts, or other property. A revocable living trust covers all of your assets in a single document and avoids probate for everything it holds. Compare the approaches with the trust vs. will tool.

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Legal Sources

Va. Code 46.2-633.2

Data sourced from Virginia statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

Virginia allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for any exceptions.

Virginia Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Virginia Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations