DMV close - selling car, now what? (sale, insurance)

[urbanlady]

Hi!

I'm selling my car and need to transfer the title over but unfortunately, the DMVs are now closed until April. I'm not having much luck finding info online and there isn't anyone at the DMV to even take a call. Any ideas on how I can still proceed to sell the car without the DMV needing a visit immediately? Can the buyer use old plates for the time being since I have to take my plates with me?

Thanks!

[Bigfoot424]

The tags belong to the State of VA and you cannot loan them out. And of course you would not want the liability that goes with it. You, and likely thousands across the US, are in that proverbial poop house until things settle down a little. If you feel you need to make the sell then sign the title over to them but make sure you take the tags off. They can use their own tags but the liability is off you. Notify your insurance co the moment they drive off. Of course you cannot turn the tags into DMV as you are supposed to but if your local DMV has a drop box you could leave it in there or maybe mail them to DMV so you have proof they were sent in. It's not perfect but not sure what else you can do.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by urbanlady

Hi!

I'm selling my car and need to transfer the title over but unfortunately, the DMVs are now closed until April. I'm not having much luck finding info online and there isn't anyone at the DMV to even take a call. Any ideas on how I can still proceed to sell the car without the DMV needing a visit immediately? Can the buyer use old plates for the time being since I have to take my plates with me?

Thanks!

You fill out the back of the title with their information and sign it. Make a photo copy of it and remove your plates. Make a ASIS bill of sale and both of you sign it. Take the cash, hand over the title to them. Go online and remove it and then contact your insurance company. The end for you as they are one's who have to deal with DMV to register it.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

The tags belong to the State of VA and you cannot loan them out. And of course you would not want the liability that goes with it. You, and likely thousands across the US, are in that proverbial poop house until things settle down a little. If you feel you need to make the sell then sign the title over to them but make sure you take the tags off. They can use their own tags but the liability is off you. Notify your insurance co the moment they drive off. Of course you cannot turn the tags into DMV as you are supposed to but if your local DMV has a drop box you could leave it in there or maybe mail them to DMV so you have proof they were sent in. It's not perfect but not sure what else you can do.

You don't have to turn in the tags. One only does so in order to get a partial refund of the registration fee.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by Pruzhany

You don't have to turn in the tags. One only does so in order to get a partial refund of the registration fee.

True but it's for the legal protection for those done with the tags. Someone removes them from the trash and uses them in a crime then someone needs to now explain themselves. DMV won't come after you and I just cut mine up and dispose of them.

[mpier015]

I was wondering something similar. I recently purchased a new vehicle and the temporary tags expire at the end of the month. Will I have to park it until DMV reopens? I do still have my tags from my previous car.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by Bigfoot424

True but it's for the legal protection for those done with the tags. Someone removes them from the trash and uses them in a crime then someone needs to now explain themselves. DMV won't come after you and I just cut mine up and dispose of them.

Cutting them up is the current procedure.

[Pruzhany]

Originally Posted by mpier015

I was wondering something similar. I recently purchased a new vehicle and the temporary tags expire at the end of the month. Will I have to park it until DMV reopens? I do still have my tags from my previous car.

If you ordered plates online then they come in the mail. Most plate manufacturing is contracted out to the prison system. If the title, registration and plates don't show up by the expiration date, go online and printout whatever you can from there. As the plates themselves, contact the State Police and ask them.