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What to Bring to the Dealership: Checklist
Pack this before you go: ID, proof of insurance, loan pre-approval, trade-in title and payoff, plus the numbers to bring. Built from FTC and CFPB guidance.
What to Bring to the Dealership: Checklist
Showing up unprepared is how dealers control the deal. This is the exact stack of documents to bring — ID, insurance, pre-approval, trade-in paperwork, and your own negotiated quote — so you sign on your terms.[1]
The Stack — Bring All of This
Identification:
• Valid, unexpired driver's license
• Second form of ID (passport or state ID) if your license is new
• Current address proof (utility bill) if your license address is outdated
Proof of Insurance:
• Current auto insurance card (paper or digital)
• Your insurance agent's phone number — you may need to add the new vehicle on the spot
Financing Paperwork:
• Pre-approval letter from your bank or credit union
• Down payment in the form the dealer accepts (cashier's check or wire — confirm in advance)
• Recent pay stub or proof of income (if applying for additional financing)
Trade-In Materials (if applicable):
• Vehicle title (or 10-day payoff statement from your lender)
• All keys and key fobs
• Both license plates
• Owner's manual and service records
• Written trade-in offer from at least one competing source (CarMax, Carvana, etc.)
Your Negotiation Paperwork:
• Printed out-the-door price quote from email negotiations
• Trim, options, and MSRP research for the exact VIN
• Your written budget — total out-the-door, not monthly payment
• List of fees you will not pay (dealer prep, etching, advertising)
What Not to Bring
— Emotional attachment to one specific car — be ready to walk
— A monthly-payment-only mindset — focus on total cost
— Hours of unbooked time (sets you up to be worn down)
— Anyone who will pressure you to 'just sign'
Red Flags
⚠ Dealer asks for documents not on this list to 'unlock a special rate'
⚠ Refuses to accept your pre-approval letter
⚠ Wants to hold your driver's license while you test drive (a copy is fine; the original stays with you)
⚠ Insists on running your credit before showing you out-the-door pricing
CFPB recommends bringing your own pre-approval to keep the dealer competitive.[2]
Get the Printable Version
Free PDF with the full document stack and the dealer-prep checklist — delivered to your inbox.
Keep going
The Car Buying Checklist:
Every step, in order, from research to signing the paperwork.
Questions to Ask the Dealer:
The exact questions that change what you pay.
Dealer Fees Explained:
Which line items are real, which are padding, and how to push back.
Sources
FTC, "Buying a New Car" — ftc.gov/buying-new-car
CFPB Auto Loans guidance — consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/auto-loans
FTC CARS Rule — ftc.gov/cars-rule