Selling a used car to private party... what do you do with the license plate?

rdsport323 · 04-10-2008, 08:27 PM

I found a buyer for my E36, who is willing to wait another 2 weeks before my E92 arrives. My question is, since I have a personalized license plate, do I remove those before giving them the car? Or do I just leave them on and have them worry about changing it? The reason I ask is because, a few years ago when my brother sold his car, he left his personalized plates on and the new owner decided to rack up some fines on the tollways, which ultimately ended up in my brother's mailbox. He explained that it wasn't him, and they didn't hold the charges against him but, I'd rather avoid having to be responsible for anything the new owner decides to do after he has my car.

Oh, and also, is there any sort of contract that I should have the buyer sign that says "they are buying the car as is... and that I can't be held responsible or accountable for anything that should happen?" I just dont want them coming back to me and bitching about how ______ and ______ broke on them etc..

E90SLAM · 04-10-2008, 08:29 PM

Yes....you have to take the licence plate off and report to DMV that the plate will be changed to another vehicle or report sold.....

E90SLAM · 04-10-2008, 08:30 PM

Its the buyer's responsibility to get the vehicle to DMV or AAA (if he's a AAA member) and register the vehicle to a new owner.....

K330i · 04-10-2008, 08:36 PM

even if it's not the law.....it's common sense you take it off. after all it's registered to you. if he leaves with it and runs a blue-million red light cameras guess who's gonna get the tickets in the mail? and you'll spend the next 6 months convincing the judge exactly what happened...

rdsport323 · 04-10-2008, 11:12 PM

well i figured it might be weird for them to be driving around with no plates, not even the dealer plates that make cops or people assume its bought "new" and hasn't received plates yet. but, I guess I'll take them off..

thanks for the input

UncleWede · 04-14-2008, 10:31 AM

There is a transfer of ownership form you file with DMV and then the new owner can run all the lights he wishes. You are required to file within 5 days of transfer, I beleive.

For the personal plates, you take them off and he gets one of those red stickers with the month for the back window until the new plates come in.

PAKMAN · 04-14-2008, 10:38 AM

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

K330i · 04-14-2008, 11:21 AM

Fees that may be due:
The amount of fees that may be due depends on a variety of factors. An exact amount can only be calculated when you submit your application to the department.

wow........they even have a fee for that? freakin' republic of kalifornia!!!

04-10-2008, 08:27 PM	#1
rdsport323 Captain 50 Rep 879 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: OC, CA iTrader: (0)	Selling a used car to private party... what do you do with the license plate? I found a buyer for my E36, who is willing to wait another 2 weeks before my E92 arrives. My question is, since I have a personalized license plate, do I remove those before giving them the car? Or do I just leave them on and have them worry about changing it? The reason I ask is because, a few years ago when my brother sold his car, he left his personalized plates on and the new owner decided to rack up some fines on the tollways, which ultimately ended up in my brother's mailbox. He explained that it wasn't him, and they didn't hold the charges against him but, I'd rather avoid having to be responsible for anything the new owner decides to do after he has my car. Oh, and also, is there any sort of contract that I should have the buyer sign that says "they are buying the car as is... and that I can't be held responsible or accountable for anything that should happen?" I just dont want them coming back to me and bitching about how ______ and ______ broke on them etc..
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04-10-2008, 08:29 PM	#2
E90SLAM Supreme Allied Commander 1963 Rep 61,781 Posts Drives: A BBS WHORE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: . iTrader: (6) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i [0.00]	Yes....you have to take the licence plate off and report to DMV that the plate will be changed to another vehicle or report sold..... __________________
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04-10-2008, 08:30 PM	#3
E90SLAM Supreme Allied Commander 1963 Rep 61,781 Posts Drives: A BBS WHORE Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: . iTrader: (6) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i [0.00]	Its the buyer's responsibility to get the vehicle to DMV or AAA (if he's a AAA member) and register the vehicle to a new owner..... __________________
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04-10-2008, 08:36 PM	#4
K330i Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 241 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: East Tennessee iTrader: (2)	even if it's not the law.....it's common sense you take it off. after all it's registered to you. if he leaves with it and runs a blue-million red light cameras guess who's gonna get the tickets in the mail? and you'll spend the next 6 months convincing the judge exactly what happened...
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04-10-2008, 11:12 PM	#5
rdsport323 Captain 50 Rep 879 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: OC, CA iTrader: (0)	well i figured it might be weird for them to be driving around with no plates, not even the dealer plates that make cops or people assume its bought "new" and hasn't received plates yet. but, I guess I'll take them off.. thanks for the input
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04-14-2008, 10:31 AM	#6
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18031 Rep 9,378 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	There is a transfer of ownership form you file with DMV and then the new owner can run all the lights he wishes. You are required to file within 5 days of transfer, I beleive. For the personal plates, you take them off and he gets one of those red stickers with the month for the back window until the new plates come in.
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04-14-2008, 10:38 AM	#7
PAKMAN Lieutenant General 360 Rep 16,214 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: NORTHERN CALIFORNIA iTrader: (35) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [9.50] 2006 e90 330i [5.50]	http://www.dmv.ca.gov/ __________________ stock car
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04-14-2008, 11:21 AM	#8
K330i Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 241 Posts Drives: 2006 330i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: East Tennessee iTrader: (2)	Fees that may be due: The amount of fees that may be due depends on a variety of factors. An exact amount can only be calculated when you submit your application to the department. wow........they even have a fee for that? freakin' republic of kalifornia!!!
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