You found a car you like like that is currently owned by another Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) qualified person. The road tax is current and the JCI doesn’t expire next month. It is already registered with Joint Service Vehicle Registration Office (JSVRO) as in, it has “A” or “Y” plates. What’s next? I’m assuming you’re new on the island and don’t have any vehicles currently registered in your name, but you did go to newcomers orientation and receive your SOFA license. You’ll need agree on the price with the seller, payment method, and a time to complete the purchase transfer the title. JSVRO is only open Monday to Friday. The whole process is very inefficient and you should expect it to take several hours.

1. Buyer and Seller go to JSVRO. The easiest way to get to JSVRO is to use Camp Foster Gate 5 from HW 58. Coming from Gate 5, make the first right then take the fourth driveway on the left. You’ll probably have your sponsor drive you here, or possibly even the seller. Here’s the link on Google Maps (keep in mind Apple Maps and Google Maps do not provide on base directions)
2. Document Verification. JSVRO will make sure the car is eligible to be sold and the buyer is eligible to buy. You will need your ID, SOFA license, and orders. After all of the documents are verified, JSVRO will provide you with a Letter of Attorney. This is required to have your insurance company perform the actual title transfer.
3. Title Transfer and Insurance. The seller probably has an annual insurance policy that has several months of coverage left that they no longer need. For convenience, they’ll probably want to go to their insurance office to transfer the title. This will let you purchase insurance, pay the $40 fee for the title transfer, and allow them to get a rebate for their policy. The closest insurance office to JSVRO is GEA insurance located inside the Exchange Gas Station behind JSVRO. Here’s the link on Google Maps, but you’ll also see it on your way to JSVRO. You should also get a Bill of Sale.
4. Provide Bill of Sale to JSVRO. Yes. You’re going back. Drop of the Bill of Sale. You’re pretty much done now. You can drive your car around. If you drove with the seller, it’d be great to drop the off now that you own the car.
5. Pick Up Title. You’ll have a temporary title which will awesome, but at some point you’ll want to pick up the original title. Your insurance company will contact you when its ready. If you used GEA insurance, can deliver the title to one of their offices closer to the base you work at.