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Question about selling a vehicle

1.7K views 18 replies 15 participants last post by  Bily Lovec  
#1 ·
Do you remove the license plate when the buyer takes the vehcile?
 
#2 ·
YES! YES! YES! Do NOT let someone drive off with a license plate that is registered in your name. You will be liable for toll booth violations, hit and run accidents, etc. Do NOT let the tag go!

Give a bill of sale, and sign the necessary forms so the person can do the title transfer, but definately don't let them have the tag.
 
#5 ·
On a side note, and i don't mean to hi-jack, but i have a question on this too. Anybody know what the proper course of action is when you buy a vehicle, private sale, and need to drive it long distance to get it back home? Few hundred miles, or maybe even multi state? Assuming the owner does not release their tags to you? I know the paperwork will show you just bought the vehicle, but how can you avoid being stopped by every cop on the road? And moreover, will you be ticketed for driving without plates, even if you have the paperwork?
 
#7 ·
Not illegal to leave the plates on, but by removing the plates you will be assured that the vehicle will have to be registered, and no future transgressions will come back on you. The opposite is also a good measure; if you buy a used car get new plates, the previous owner may have had some problems with the car.

On edit: I saw a COPS episode recently where the cops stopped a car and the plate came back with problems. The driver had recently bought the car but had not registered it. The car was hauled off.
 
#9 ·
If you take the plates off, you will avoid getting all those letters from the state about why it's not insured, why it's not current on registration, and avoid toll road fees that could be charged to the plates. If the plates are in your name, you will have to prove it wasn't you. Take the plates. (experience speaking here)
 
#11 ·
Well!!
If you notice that Texas does not really put stickers on the plate anymore so if a person wanted to all they have to do is steal a front plate (who would notice there's are missing) and use it on the rear. Unless the LEO runs the plate nothing looks suspicious as the windshield sticker is good. Just my thoughts, also I did used car sales and issued only paper plates, but was contacted by LEO'S when one was used in a robbery. Best advice keep copies of all transactions with real signatures not copies. Print two and sign both keep one and let them use the other for transfer.
But to each his own, most don't take them off when they trade them in.

GED
 
#12 ·
Back when I was 18 or so I sold a car with the plates on to a guy I had known for years. A few weeks later the cops showed up at my house looking for me. The rat bastard had filled up his tank and drove off from the local gas station. They got the tag number as he was leaving. My dad was pizzed.
This was way back in the day when you pumped the gas first and most people payed with cash. Long. long time ago
 
#16 ·
1) Go to the tax office and do the paper immediately (best choice)
2) Go to a private title place and do the title transfer (second best)
3) Write up a bill of sale, fill out the title transfer application. Keep a copy and give them the original. Take the plates off immediately to avoid further troubles like "toll road charges, parking tickets, hit and run, etc ...". Eventhough you can prove that you are no longer owning the vehicle but it's really trouble you with time/money/peace of mind ...