Need a "favor" with California DMV
#16
05-07-2012, 12:21 AM
#17
05-07-2012, 12:21 AM
Well...you could do this. Go to the California DMV website. There is a link there for release of liability. Usually when you sell a car, you immediately go to the DMV website to let them know that you no longer own the vehicle.
Last time I sold a car, I went to the site. You enter the license number and the last 5 digits of the VIN, and bingo....your name and address will be listed and it will ask you if you a few questions that allow you to tell the DMV that you are no longer responsible for that particular vehicle.
To tell you the truth, I found it upsetting that if you wanted the name and address of a vehicle owner that all you need is part of the VIN and a license plate number, but that's how it works. So if some sleezebag sees my daughter get out of her car at school, & he wants to be a stalker, all he has to do is look at the VIN in the windshield (newer cars), and the license plate.
I'm hoping that this has changed by now, but it was working this way up to last year.
Dan
Last time I sold a car, I went to the site. You enter the license number and the last 5 digits of the VIN, and bingo....your name and address will be listed and it will ask you if you a few questions that allow you to tell the DMV that you are no longer responsible for that particular vehicle.
To tell you the truth, I found it upsetting that if you wanted the name and address of a vehicle owner that all you need is part of the VIN and a license plate number, but that's how it works. So if some sleezebag sees my daughter get out of her car at school, & he wants to be a stalker, all he has to do is look at the VIN in the windshield (newer cars), and the license plate.
I'm hoping that this has changed by now, but it was working this way up to last year.
Dan
#18
05-07-2012, 10:10 AM
Fleet Owner
Well...you could do this. Go to the California DMV website. There is a link there for release of liability. Usually when you sell a car, you immediately go to the DMV website to let them know that you no longer own the vehicle.
Last time I sold a car, I went to the site. You enter the license number and the last 5 digits of the VIN, and bingo....your name and address will be listed and it will ask you if you a few questions that allow you to tell the DMV that you are no longer responsible for that particular vehicle.
To tell you the truth, I found it upsetting that if you wanted the name and address of a vehicle owner that all you need is part of the VIN and a license plate number, but that's how it works. So if some sleezebag sees my daughter get out of her car at school, & he wants to be a stalker, all he has to do is look at the VIN in the windshield (newer cars), and the license plate.
I'm hoping that this has changed by now, but it was working this way up to last year.
Dan
Last time I sold a car, I went to the site. You enter the license number and the last 5 digits of the VIN, and bingo....your name and address will be listed and it will ask you if you a few questions that allow you to tell the DMV that you are no longer responsible for that particular vehicle.
To tell you the truth, I found it upsetting that if you wanted the name and address of a vehicle owner that all you need is part of the VIN and a license plate number, but that's how it works. So if some sleezebag sees my daughter get out of her car at school, & he wants to be a stalker, all he has to do is look at the VIN in the windshield (newer cars), and the license plate.
I'm hoping that this has changed by now, but it was working this way up to last year.
Dan
I'll be darned, it's the same in NM for doing an online registration renewal. I never thought of that. But not all vehicles are eligible for online renewal, and one of them that isn't is vehicles that aren't current on their plates. It still might let you get far enough into it to see what you need.
#20
05-07-2012, 12:25 PM
#21
05-07-2012, 11:17 PM
The CA DMV has a Statement of Facts form that could possibly be used in a case like this. I would visit the local DMV and explain the story to them. They may suggest that the landlords that sold the car fill out the SoF form explaining what happened. The new buyer (the seller of the car now) will likely also need to fill out the SoF form confirming the purchase from the landlords. You may also need to fill out the SoF form explaining that you're buying the vehicle now with the title/reg issues.
An example, a friend of mine bought a 55 Olds while he lived here. He never got it transfered into his name and lost the title and the contact information of the previous owner (old man). He moved to Colorado several years ago and now wants to get it registered there. I went to my local DMV and explained the situation. They told me that he needs to fill out the SoF form with as much info as possible and explain what happened. Then he needs to fill out a Lost/Replacement Title form that allows transfering the vehicle into his name. Both forms need to be submitted to the CA DMV to get a CA title. He can then take the CA title and re-title the car in CO.
An example, a friend of mine bought a 55 Olds while he lived here. He never got it transfered into his name and lost the title and the contact information of the previous owner (old man). He moved to Colorado several years ago and now wants to get it registered there. I went to my local DMV and explained the situation. They told me that he needs to fill out the SoF form with as much info as possible and explain what happened. Then he needs to fill out a Lost/Replacement Title form that allows transfering the vehicle into his name. Both forms need to be submitted to the CA DMV to get a CA title. He can then take the CA title and re-title the car in CO.
All I have is this guy and his letter and a bill of sale to work with.
#22
05-08-2012, 12:02 AM
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#23
05-08-2012, 12:48 AM
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Help with Cal DMV registration
I baught a truck on a Bill of Sale only from a purchaser who only had the legal owners name and remembered 10 years later that he lived in Stockton, Ca. DMV said the legal owner had to sign or I had to demonstrate the owner could not be found. I took a random Stockton . Ca address from a phone book and sent a registered letter to the owner. Then, I took the returned letter stamped "Not at this address and no forwarding address known" to DMV and they register the truck.
#24
05-08-2012, 06:29 AM
#26
05-08-2012, 11:56 AM
As a last ditch approach, register the car in an easier state than CA... there are many. I have heard it is quite easy in NV and GA with a "lost title". You'll need someone to trust (friend or relative, for example) for a local address. Then ultimately transfer it back to CA. Good luck with it!
#27
05-08-2012, 07:14 PM
It is a model I've owned before and really like. And it's for an OK price. So I went after it.
As a last ditch approach, register the car in an easier state than CA... there are many. I have heard it is quite easy in NV and GA with a "lost title". You'll need someone to trust (friend or relative, for example) for a local address. Then ultimately transfer it back to CA. Good luck with it!
Thank you guys so much. Great advice as always.
#28
05-08-2012, 08:54 PM
Not being rude at all! Don't worry!
It is a model I've owned before and really like. And it's for an OK price. So I went after it.
I'm pretty sure it's clean, but I'll run it by another cop today to make sure.
My Grandmother lives in NV. Hmmmmmm......
Thank you guys so much. Great advice as always.
It is a model I've owned before and really like. And it's for an OK price. So I went after it.
I'm pretty sure it's clean, but I'll run it by another cop today to make sure.
My Grandmother lives in NV. Hmmmmmm......
Thank you guys so much. Great advice as always.
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