The DMV is just an agreed upon "statewide recorder" concerning "motor vehicles". Just as those of a particular State may chose to relegate "real estate" records to a particular office in a given county, the same folks chose to make the DMV the "vehicle recorder's office". Its the same recording power but the DMV also might electronically publish information that law enforcement agencies SUBSCRIBE TO. A Notice of Sale of An Automobile notarized and signed by the seller can be handy if you are taking an automobile from public/residential to private. They key thing is, filing the document should also be coupled with service on the DMV type organization from which the related the certificate of title was issued. That is so that the DMV can update their records. There is a process for privatizing an automobile, but I would say that the typical "Patriot Drivel" might be misleading.