In California, the Title is held by the legal owner, the Registration
is held by the operator. They are separate pieces of paper issued by the
State.

Many times both parties are one and the same. However, when a vehicle
has been financed, the Title goes into the name of the lender until the
loan is paid off. This keeps the borrower from selling the car without
first paying off the loan to get the Title. Makes sense to me but I am
in Calif.

Mark

Jeff Palmer wrote:
> ............
> So I'm wondering, what's the difference between a Title and Registration?
> You can't get a car on the road without either, so for practical purposes
> what's the diff?  What is the purpose of a title anyway?
>
> Jeff
> (showing my ignorance in these legal-type matters.)