license plate
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,875
Likes: 3,114
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
It depends, I think here in Wisconsin if your truck is a ton and over the license goes with the truck, maybe it's the same in other states. Otherwise, I would never leave the plate on the truck. Also, when selling a vehicle I make two bill of sales, with date and time the vehicle was sold noted and have both seller and buyer sign both pieces. Seller get one and the new owner gets the other. This way I have proof, in case the vehicle is in an accident before the new owner has it registered, that I didn't own it after a certain time. If someone bought a vehicle and got in an accident on the way home all the new owner has to say is he borrowed the car and the seller will be on the hook for any damages.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,053
From: NM
I do that too, Bob, because once I took pity on a young guy with little money, and left the (expired) plate on the truck. A year later I started getting parking tickets for it -- he never transferred title or registration. I showed the cops the BOS and that was the end of it. They said without it, I'd have had to pay.
It helps to call your insurance agent the minute the truck leaves your house, too.
It helps to call your insurance agent the minute the truck leaves your house, too.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
You might want to call the DMV in your state and ask them. In California, the plate goes with the vehicle unless it is a "Special" plate (YOM or Custom).
It's always quite a bit easier when yousell a vehicle to do the appropriate paper work together at the time of sale. Not only does that facilitate the new registration an titling for the new owner, but it also properly relieves you of any liability.
Withthe older trucks, beside passing the new owner a signed title, you might need a bill of sale or copy of the VIN check you had done to get the title switched. It varies by state, but it pays to call ahead and get informed BEFORE you complete the sale.
It's always quite a bit easier when yousell a vehicle to do the appropriate paper work together at the time of sale. Not only does that facilitate the new registration an titling for the new owner, but it also properly relieves you of any liability.
Withthe older trucks, beside passing the new owner a signed title, you might need a bill of sale or copy of the VIN check you had done to get the title switched. It varies by state, but it pays to call ahead and get informed BEFORE you complete the sale.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
sam
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, Texas
Yep, I can relate. Last week I got a letter saying that I had an unpaid parking ticket on a vehicle that I sold to a wrecking yard in 1996. Fortunately, all I had to do was tell the city that I had sold the vehicle and to whom I had sold it plus the date. Haven't heard anything more about it. Hope that is the end of it.
Gil
Gil
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