We struck a chord with readers after writing about trouble Melissa Eiselein of Moreno Valley experienced after she sold her car to a private party who failed to register the vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Eiselein learned the hard way that the DMV does not remove a vehicle seller’s name and address from a privately sold vehicle unless the buyer registers it and pays the registration fees to transfer ownership, which the buyer is legally required to do. This applies even if the seller has filed a release of liability form.
Reader Sandy Palmer of San Jacinto said these troubles can happen also when trading in a car at a dealership.
“I traded my car in at the dealer in 2016 and I still get toll violations. This vehicle has not been registered in nine years and it concerns me for the reasons you mentioned. I contacted the DMV and said I am not responsible but since no one had registered it since, I still get the violations,” Palmer said. She asked what else can be done.
Until the state Legislature changes the law or DMV policy to protect sellers, there’s not a lot that can be done.
Sellers should keep all written documentation/proof of a dealership trade-in or private-party sale and get all the personal information you can about the buyer, including their California driver’s license number and address. This helps when contesting a ticket or toll on the car. When selling a car to a private party, it also might be wise to meet them at the nearest DMV office and witness them registering the car in their name so you know for sure it gets re-registered.
Paul Morales of Chino shared that his son sold his car to a private party and sent the Notice of Transfer to the DMV. A few months later, his son started getting late charges for unpaid parking fines and letters threatening a garnishment of wages.
“It was just like you said, the new buyer never registered the car in their name,” said Morales, calling the situation a “nightmare.” After about a year, he said, the problems were cleared up and the DMV finally changed the car’s title.
Here’s what reader Frederick Paul said he did to get the Toll Roads off his back when this happened to him. Paul repeatedly gave them copies of all his documentation, including the car buyer’s address and driver’s license number.
“I stated in the FINAL communication, ‘Please leave law-abiding citizens alone. You know where the perpetrator is located, please have the California Highway Patrol go visit them.’ I also included comments regarding notifying the California Tax Board for tax evasion on the part of the buyer.” Paul said it’s been over eight months now and he hasn’t heard a thing other than an apology letter he received from the Toll Roads. “They are very much aware of the larger issue and it is documented within their system,” he said.
Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9995.