3 Things to Do Before Driving Away From the Car Dealership

Stay patient, take your time, and ask questions before driving home.

Benjamin Hunting | 

Oct 3, 2025 | 3 min read

Shutterstock

Here are some recommendations on what to take care of before leaving the dealership and driving away in your new car.

Collect All the Important Paperwork

Whether buying a new car or a used one, you'll probably have to sign more than a few documents at a dealership. This paperwork is important, and you don't want to accidentally leave it behind when you take your new ride home.

An integral part of the buying process is the bill of sale, which confirms the vehicle identification number, details of the vehicle, the amount you paid, and the date of the transaction between you and the dealership. It also includes any conditions or fees associated with the purchaser.

If you aren't financing your vehicle, the dealer will give you the title, as well, which confirms your ownership. In some cases, the dealer might mail you the title at a later date. If you are financing, the title could go to the financial entity underwriting the loan, or it could be given to you with the lienholder's name attached to it, depending on your state laws.

You'll also want to gather additional documents that may be associated with the sale. These include the details of any loan agreement, warranty contracts, and the temporary tags and registration so you can legally drive home before receiving your license plate from the state.

Have Someone Walk You Through Your Car's Infotainment System

Modern cars often introduce new technology, especially in their infotainment systems. You can ask someone at the dealership to walk you through setting up the system to your liking and show you how to use it.

Other technology features may be available in your vehicle, too, such as advanced driver-assistance systems with adaptive cruise control. There are also connected car services, such as connecting to your vehicle's Wi-Fi hot spot if it has that capability.

Walk-Around to Confirm There's No Vehicle Damage

End your pick-up appointment with a detailed walk-around of your vehicle alongside a dealership employee. Verify there is no damage to the paint, trim, or features inside and out. When buying a used car, it may come with a damage disclosure form that lists known problems, and you'll want to make sure that there aren't any additional ones outside of what's listed. Some states also require documentation of damage to new cars.

Even if the car in question comes with a warranty, it's still much more simple to identify any problems with your purchase before leaving the lot, rather than having to return and convince someone at the dealership that you're not responsible for the nick, scrape, or problem in question.

Benjamin Hunting

Nearly two decades into his career as an automotive journalist, Benjamin has had his hands greasy, his hair blown back, and his heart broken by more than one project car. In addition to his work at Capital One, he has contributed features and reviews to Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Hagerty, Driving Line, Inside Hook, Super Street, European Car, Roadkill Magazine, Motor 1, The Drive, the Toronto Star, the National Post, Business Insider, NAPA, Autoblog, Automotive News Canada, and AutoGuide. He is also cohost of the Unnamed Automotive Podcast and cocreator of the Code 45 and Dead Air graphic novels. In his spare time, he's a friend to vinyl and enjoys keeping the shiny side up during track days.