Vehicle Title Transfer/Registration: Sold Vehicle over two months ago

[StarsFan4Life]

All,

First things first, I just need suggestions and tips on how I should approach this issue, not here to be SLAMMED by how idiotic the situation might or might not be.

On April 7th, I sold my 10 year old Jeep Cherokee to a nice couple who were buying the vehicle for their daughter. They signed and dated everything I asked them to, including the title, bill of sale and a Texas Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification form found on the states website, for my protection, in case the following issues were to happen (see below).

The man assured me that he would have his daugther take her forms down to the local dmv and have it transferred within a week or so, but I did also do my part and send in all the proper forms myself to the state (without him knowing of course) just a precaution and to cover my own ass...but obviously the state has still not processed my forms....of course.

Today, over two months since, I received a citation in the mail for running a red light in Denton, TX. Strangley enough, I never go to Denton, so I looked at the ticket and saw that it was for the Jeep Cherokee. I instantly knew what the deal was - they never registered the vehicle under their name.

I contacted the guy tonight and advised him of the situation. Maybe his daughter is just lazy and didn't do it, or just forgot. Either way, I don't care, I just want the vehicle transferred...and out of my name.

How do I handle this both on the ticket and on the issue of registration? Doesn't the buyer have a certain period of time to actually register the vehicle under their own name? Is there a legal issue here that I need to be worried about? If nothing is done, can I legally go get the vehicle back?

 

[MJinZ]

LOL, is he using your plates?

 

[StarsFan4Life]

Since I was purchasing a new vehicle, I decided to give the plates to him as I would already be paying for new plates with the new vehicle. All he would need to do is tranfer the car into his or his daughters name. It's simple and straight forward, but that clearly has not been done.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

I just went to www.photonotice.com and saw the video and picture of the violation. Kinda creepy and sad, I miss my old Jeep. The driver clearly ran the red light, in fact it was red a good 1-2 seconds before they even entered the intersection. Kinda scary! I am obviously still somewhat responsible for this.

 

[fleabag]

no, you are not responsible for shit.. In california, you're suppose to sign this thing and send it to the DMV which says that you've sold the vehicle and that you're no longer responsible for things that happen with that vehicle. Did you do such a thing when you sold your jeep?

 

[Oceanas]

As far as the ticket, you said you filled out the transfer notification form, so the below applies..

I filed the vehicle transfer notification with TxDMV, but I am still getting parking tickets/toll violations, etc. What can I do?

Provide documentation, which shows you sold the vehicle, to the ticketing agency. Documents that agencies typically accept include the following:

* A confirmation letter (no fee) from TxDMV indicating that the vehicle is sold. Call us at (512) 465-7611 to request a letter.
* A copy of the vehicle transfer notification form you submitted to us (no fee), which you can get by completing a request for vehicle information form.
* In the "Information Requested" section, check the third box (other) and then write "Vehicle Transfer Notification" and the month and year you sold the vehicle.
* A "title and registration verification" ($2.30 fee) that shows the month and year the vehicle title was transferred, which you can order by completing a request for vehicle information form.

Some agencies may not accept all of the documents mentioned above, so please contact the agency that issued your citation before you request any of these documents.

As for what happens if they never transfer the title or registration, I'm not too sure, but you might call the number below to ask for options

I sold my car, so why did I receive a registration renewal notice in the mail?

At the time of printing, our record still showed you as the recorded owner. If you believe the buyer of your vehicle did not transfer the vehicle title to his/her name, you may consider submitting a vehicle transfer notification. This form lets us know that you no longer own the vehicle.

You may also call our call center at (512) 465-7611 with the vehicle identification number of the car you sold for more information.

http://www.txdmv.gov/

For future reference, it's highly recommended that you actually accompany the buyer to the county tax office to ensure things like this don't happen and so that they don't have any issues transferring the title and registration.

 

[StarsFan4Life]

no, you are not responsible for shit.. In california, you're suppose to sign this thing and send it to the DMV which says that you've sold the vehicle and that you're no longer responsible for things that happen with that vehicle. Did you do such a thing when you sold your jeep?

As I said, yes, I did about 2-3 weeks after to cover my own ass. The state apparently has not processed the paperwork I sent them yet, which is typical for Texas.

 

[guyver01]

Hopefully you still have copies of the paperwork. Contact your local DMV, or visit... and advise them of the situation. They should be able to have you fill out a "transferred-non returned plates" form .. or something like that.

Same thing happened to me about 3 years ago. Sold a car, kept copies of the paperwork... 6 months later i get a notice from DMV that insurance & plates haven't been registered and they would fine me. I sent them copies of all the info, including bill of sale, and they removed my info, and placed an unregistered vehicle notice out with the local PD.

 

[silverpig]

Report it stolen and give them her address. You'll get your Jeep back, but you'll have to pay the fine

 

[Meghan54]

This is one reason in GA, the plate on the vehicle follows the person who paid for the plate, and doesn't transfer with the vehicle. So, when you sell a car, the plate stays with the seller. Buyer has 30 days to obtain a new plate....the bill of sale and registration transfer/title transfer is his documentation for using the vehicle until he gets a new plate for it.

 

[mrjminer]

Something similar happened to me when I was 17 and bought a slightly newer car to replace my 1987 Ford Taurus. I didn't deal with it because my dad handled it for me (I didn't know what to do to sell a car or anything at the time, but he, of course, said he knew what he was doing ).

Pretty much the same situation... had all of the sale records, guy's signature, etc... but he never changed the plates. The guy ended up getting like 20 parking tickets and we got a notice in the mail that the car was impounded.

My parents ended up having to pay the fines or at least a chunk of them, which I think is bullshit because there's a signed bill of sale indicating that we were no longer the owner of the vehicle.

Lesson learned: never sell a car without going up to the DMV with the person to make sure the plates get changed.
Lesson reinforced: the government is just a group of crooks.

 

[MJinZ]

LOL @ your fucking State!!!

Why do people steal plates? So they can do shit with your car and it would not be associated with them!

And you just gave them your plates and car? Hahah.

 

[Vette73]

Yea in every state I know of the plates are YOURS not the cars. When you sell a car you take the plates off, period. This is one big reason why.

 

[Genx87]

This is why in MN the supreme court declared traffic cams like this unconstitutional.

 

[SunnyD]

This is why in MN the supreme court declared traffic cams like this unconstitutional.

I was wondering when someone was going to bring up the point that the ticket was cited via a red-light camera. Lulz. Tell the ticketing agency to prove that it was you driving the vehicle.

 

[Vette73]

I was wondering when someone was going to bring up the point that the ticket was cited via a red-light camera. Lulz. Tell the ticketing agency to prove that it was you driving the vehicle.

Some states got around that as the ticket was not a driving offense but treated like a parking ticket. So the ticket was put toward the car and the owner has to pay. Does not matter who was driving. I don't agree with that but thats how many do it. That and also they keep fines in the $50-100 range; so its low enough to piss you off but not high enough to make you go to court and fight it.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Yea in every state I know of the plates are YOURS not the cars. When you sell a car you take the plates off, period. This is one big reason why.

In Minnesota, plates belong to to car.

 

[SViper]

I just recently purchased a motorcycle from a private seller (in Denton County...imagine that) so I just went through the whole process. In Texas, the buyer has 20 days to transfer the title. You've filled out the Transfer notification form, so you definitely have that going for you, even though it hasn't been processed yet.

If you have a copy of the transfer notification form, call the ticketing organization (sheriff, police, etc.) and send that form to them, along with any other documentation you have (i.e. bill of sale). You are burdened with proving that you did not own the vehicle at the time of the citation.

Then watch the buyer get reamed for the ticket, and for not transferring the title within 20 days. Good luck, and keep us updated.

 

[thomsbrain]

no, you are not responsible for shit.. In california, you're suppose to sign this thing and send it to the DMV which says that you've sold the vehicle and that you're no longer responsible for things that happen with that vehicle. Did you do such a thing when you sold your jeep?

Even in CA, that does NOT release you from liability on the vehicle, despite what you would think. Only the BUYERS new registration under their name releases you from liability. That's why it is crucial that you go to the DMV with the buyer to make sure it gets taken care of.

OP, in CA the picture from the red-light camera must clearly show YOUR face or they have to throw it out. Hopefully it's the same where you live. If they can't prove the pic is of you, you're off the hook for the ticket, but unfortunately you'll probably have to show up in court to prove it.

I would call the DMV and see what they can do to support you in removing you from liability on the car. There may be an additional form they have for these situations.

 

[fleabag]

Even in CA, that does NOT release you from liability on the vehicle, despite what you would think. Only the BUYERS new registration under their name releases you from liability. That's why it is crucial that you go to the DMV with the buyer to make sure it gets taken care of.

Prove it. I could have sworn the DMV form explicitly says in plain english that you need to fill out that form in order to make sure you aren't liable for the vehicle anymore..

 

[DrPizza]

Silly states. So, someone can purchase a vehicle, drive around in it for 6 months with no registration, no insurance, and no one would be the wiser. Not in NY. Plate stays with the person who registered it. AND, you're not driving that vehicle until it has a plate. AND, you're not getting a plate until you have proof of insurance. AND, you're not cancelling your insurance until the plate is turned in - you can try, but the insurance companies can't cancel it until the plate is turned in. AND, if your insurance lapses for non-payment, the DMV is immediately alerted.

Minimal hassle, except paying the $1 to surrender the plates. But worth it to keep people off the road who don't have insurance.

 

[DietDrThunder]

Since I was purchasing a new vehicle, I decided to give the plates to him as I would already be paying for new plates with the new vehicle. All he would need to do is tranfer the car into his or his daughters name. It's simple and straight forward, but that clearly has not been done.

I think you'll be fine as long as you have all of your paperwork. I sold my 16 year old Buick last year and was worried since the guy's daughter would be driving the car. I did everything you did plus I met them at the Tax office and I removed the plates. That way they didn't have a choice whether to register the car or not.

 

[Raduque]

Silly states. So, someone can purchase a vehicle, drive around in it for 6 months with no registration, no insurance, and no one would be the wiser. Not in NY. Plate stays with the person who registered it. AND, you're not driving that vehicle until it has a plate. AND, you're not getting a plate until you have proof of insurance. AND, you're not cancelling your insurance until the plate is turned in - you can try, but the insurance companies can't cancel it until the plate is turned in. AND, if your insurance lapses for non-payment, the DMV is immediately alerted.

Minimal hassle, except paying the $1 to surrender the plates. But worth it to keep people off the road who don't have insurance.

Noo Yawk sounds pretty facist.

 

[alkemyst]

Ultimately, at least here you are still responsible. Quite a few times someone has sold a car for cash, been given a false ID or not even bother asking for it since it's a cash deal, and then the buyer takes off with the car and commits a crime by intention (robbery/etc) or not intentional (hit and run/crash and leave vehicle)....

The owner of record is still responsible as there is no proof you really sold the car.

 

[Squisher]

Silly states. So, someone can purchase a vehicle, drive around in it for 6 months with no registration, no insurance, and no one would be the wiser. Not in NY. Plate stays with the person who registered it. AND, you're not driving that vehicle until it has a plate. AND, you're not getting a plate until you have proof of insurance. AND, you're not cancelling your insurance until the plate is turned in - you can try, but the insurance companies can't cancel it until the plate is turned in. AND, if your insurance lapses for non-payment, the DMV is immediately alerted.

Minimal hassle, except paying the $1 to surrender the plates. But worth it to keep people off the road who don't have insurance.

Similar here in Michigan, except no turning in of the plate. In the bad old days the seller would sign the title and that was it. Now, the state requires the seller to make and keep copies of the title after its been filled out by both the seller and buyer. It's not as rigorous as Ohio which requires both parties to go down to the Sec. of State.