# What do I do with my plates and registration when I dispose of my car? (Ohio) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 14, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248 "2017-07-14T14:21:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2017, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248/21 "2017-07-16T20:17:31Z")
> [@igor\_frankensteen](#): > > OH MY GOD. > > ``` > Op, I have no idea where you live, but unless you live IN the states where the above people are advising you, don't listen to them. > > ``` > > Here in Virginia, the rules on plates and insurance for cars you are either parking in the driveway, or getting rid of altogether, is that BEFORE you cancel insurance, you MUST return the plates directly to the DMV, and you need to get a receipt from them showing that you did. > > IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO, you will be fined a huge amount, hundreds of dollars, AND you might have your license suspended. I know, because that happened to me. I was late by only three days, returning my plates, after getting rid of the car; the ignoramus at the DMV told me that I didn’t need a receipt, didn’t need to pay a fine, and could just carry on as usual. Tah-tah. > > Six months later, I was pulled over for driving my new car with expired registration. It expired, because I was used to the State sending me bills to renew it in a timely manner. What was worse, upon checking the records, the police officer found that my license had been suspended, for failing to pay the late fee on my previous plates. > > Virginia had not bothered to notify me of any of this, because they assumed that I knew what choices I was making. > > I had to go home, park off the street, then take a leave of absence from work for two weeks while I sent away via snail mail for an actual BIRTH CERTIFICATE from the state I was born in (no other ID was allowed here); and then I had to pay the multi-hundred dollar fine; go to court with all the paperwork, fortunately have the very understanding judge delete the driving on a suspended license charge and the driving with an expired tag charge; then finally get my license reinstated for ANOTHER multi-hundred dollar charge, before finally paying to get my registration renewed (with a tacked on late fee). > > Needless to say, my insurance company promptly raised my rates accordingly. > > Find out what your states rules are. Follow them. And be aware, as soon as you do cancel your insurance, the insurance company will IMMEDIATELY notify the State DMV of that, and set everything in motion for whatever else might follow. Because they are required to do that, by state law. The OP said, in the OP, that he lives in Ohio. Virginia sounds like they have some issues. In Ohio, your insurance company will likely send info to the state saying that you cancelled your insurance, and there is a chance that you may get a postcard in the mail telling you to send in proof of insurance, or proof of no longer owning the vehicle. That is why I advised keeping the receipt handy. Also, keep an eye out for the postcard, I have never received one, but I have heard that some people have missed them, as they look a bit like junk mail. Also, conveniently in Ohio, your plates expire on your birthday, so you don’t need to rely on the state to contact you to remind you when your plates expire, so the rest of your story that came about because you forgot to renew your plates is not as pertinent. We have no penalty for not registering a car, only a penalty for registering a car late. If the OP wants to keep his plates for the new car, then that’s a bit more complicated, and would need to be done before the registration on the old plates ran out. As plates are only another few bucks ($12 IIRC), the only reason to worry about that is if you really like the #, or don’t want to have to remember a new one. I’ve been an Ohio driver for 23 years, have changed vehicles several times, and have never been asked to surrender my plates(I am pretty sure they only do that when you have certain types of infractions, DUI and the like), never had anyone give me a hassle about not registering a car that I do not own any longer (or even cars that I did own, and hadn’t bothered to get junked yet, as long as they were not driven or parked on the street.) The only gotcha that you really need to be aware of is the insurance angle, in that if you have a registered car without insurance, you can get into trouble about that, and as the OP’s registration is about to expire, that’s not all that big a deal either. I am also surprised that your insurance went up. You should look into a better insurance company, if you have one that increases premiums for non-driving related infractions. Maybe it’s a Virginia thing, but Allstate in Ohio would not raise rates over those sorts of bureaucratic shenanigans, only for driving infractions. > [@LSL Guy](#): > > If you sell a car in Ohio, and the buyer never bothers to notify BMV, and the seller never bothers to notify BMV, and the buyer racks up tickets/accidents/etc., the seller is still the one on the hook. I am not sure how this would work. If you get a ticket or in an accident, it is the driver of the vehicle on the hook, not the owner. Even if he was still the whole owner of the vehicle, and it was lent to a friend, he would not be responsible for them. Traffic cameras or parking ticket citations may go to the owner of the plates, but if the plates have been removed from the car before it is towed (something that the tow guy will offer to do for you if you have not already), then that’s not really an issue either. One quick suggestion to the OP, I would suggest donating to goodwill. You might get a couple hundred off of a cash for junker outfit, but then you have to go and do title transfer and notary stuff yourself. With goodwill, the driver takes care of all the paperwork, all you need is your title and a pen( and the driver probably has a pen as well). If your car sells for more than $500, they’ll send you something for your tax records. Depends on how much you think you will get for it, and whether that was worth the hassle. Also, the cash for junkers guys are usually a pain to schedule, last time I tried them, they wanted 2 weeks before they would come out to give me an estimate. Goodwill picked it up the next day. Also to the OP, if you walk in with your plates, they will take them from you. They won’t consider it to be all that terrible a thing, they’ll just destroy them themselves. And, in my experience, the tow truck driver from goodwill has temp towing plates to throw on the car. I don’t know all the details of how that works, but he seemed like he was happy with it. ---
**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248/22 "2017-07-17T05:31:19Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Huh?? 😕 > > Actually, Ohio, per their BMV webpage as I linked above, is \*exactly \*like California. > > If you sell a car in Ohio, and the buyer never bothers to notify BMV, and the seller never bothers to notify BMV, and the buyer racks up tickets/accidents/etc., the _seller_ is still the one on the hook. > > In simple terms: Until either buyer \*or \*seller tells OH BMV or CA DMV about the sale, it hasn’t legally happened. Some sigs on papers the government has never seen are not going to alter the government’s idea of who to hang when they can’t find anyone else. > > In Ye Olden Dayes it was assumed all buyers were always honest and there was no mechanism for sellers to report sales. That changed back in the 1970s pretty much nationwide. Now there are ways for sellers to tell their state agency about a sale. It’s still 100% optional, but the only person a seller can hurt by skipping it is themselves. Actually, you are all wet. I profess to know nothing concerning other States, but the link you provided is **not** to the official Ohio **[BMV.gov](http://BMV.gov)** (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) website… Your link is to \*\* D\*\*MV. **org/ohio…** There is **no** DMV in Ohio. Your cite site appears to be an attempt by some group to compile all 50 States’ motor vehicle regulations, and they are bound to have some errors. I’ll rely on the State agency in question, in this case Ohio BMV, to provide accurate answers to issues, not a third party organization’s attempt at collating 50 State databases. In my residence here in the Buckeye State, I’ve never experienced what you describe… And I’ve bought and sold a _lot of cars_ here… Nor have I ever **heard** of such from others. So I investigated what you and your website claim, which seem to hinge upon the reference to The Ohio BMV form 4311: “Customer Request to Cancel Vehicle Registration”. Below is a direct quote From The Ohio BMV as to the intended purpose of this form, (for insurance abatement). Nowhere is it mentioned that it is to be utilized in the sale of a vehicle as your cite claims. ## Quote: ## Don’t Lose Your Driver’s License Because of An Uninsured Automobile! Car broken down? Keeping an old car as a back-up or for parts? Or do you just have an extra car you don’t intend to drive? If you own an automobile that has **current** license plates, it must be insured even if you don’t drive it. In addition, you must be able to provide proof that you have insurance if you are driving the vehicle or if you receive a survey from the state in the mail asking about your insurance. Thousands of Ohioans are surprised to find out their driver’s license has been suspended because they own a vehicle that does not have proper insurance. It is not enough to just maintain insurance for the automobile or truck that you currently are driving. _If you own any other vehicle that has current license plates,_ that vehicle must also be insured unless you file \*\*\*BMV form 4311 “Customer Request to Cancel Vehicle Registration”. \*\*\* This form must be completed and filed to claim that a vehicle is inoperable or meets some other exemption from the requirement to maintain insurance. If you have been notified to show proof of insurance on a vehicle that is inoperable, you must provide documentation to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) as evidence that the vehicle was inoperable during the time period listed on your random verification notice. For more information regarding the documents required to prove your vehicle should be exempted from the insurance requirement call the BMV at (614) 752-7700 or visit the BMV’s website at [Ohiobmv.com](http://Ohiobmv.com). Prepared by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Athens County Job and Family Services 4/12 End quote. I will restate: **IN THE STATE OF OHIO** One’s obligation to insure a vehicle (and subsequent liability) for that vehicle **ceases upon the sale of the vehicle**. This makes sense. Despite what you **choose** to believe about **your perception** of the legal triviality concerning this procedure in Ohio, it has proven to be relatively airtight (and fair) here. Your notion that there is no legally enforceable transaction occurring between buyer and seller (and subsequent liability issues) prior to the BMV notification of such, is simply hogwash. How this compares with other States, I can only surmise… Based upon upthread comments made by others, California in particular. ---
**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248/23 "2017-07-17T05:58:32Z")
> [@igor\_frankensteen](#): > > OH MY GOD. > > ``` > Op, I have no idea where you live, but unless you live IN the states where the above people are advising you, don't listen to them. > > ``` > > Here in Virginia… Now that you’ve added everything you know about Virginia:confused:… Calm down. It’s Buckeye to Buckeye here.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![lions\_lair99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e495f1/32.png) [@lions\_lair99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lions_lair99)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248/24 "2017-07-17T06:23:43Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > In California when you sell or give away a car you are the registered owner until you or the new owner notifies the DMV. The present owner should fill out a change of ownership form and send it to the DMV. Keep a copy of the form and all records about the sale. > > If the DMV has not been notified about an owner change then the old owner is responsible for any expenses the car runs up. Parking tickets, accidents and so forth. > > You do not have to do anything with the plates or the registration. In Texas, you can go online and input the information on the sale of a vehicle. It will send you and the other party an email stating the sale and release you from responsibility of ownership and place it on the new buyer. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248/25 "2017-07-17T14:40:56Z")
> [@ZurBob](#): > > Actually, you are all wet. I profess to know nothing concerning other States, but the link you provided is **not** to the official Ohio **[BMV.gov](http://BMV.gov)** (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) website… Your link is to \*\* D\*\*MV. **org/ohio…** There is **no** DMV in Ohio. Your cite site appears to be an attempt by some group to compile all 50 States’ motor vehicle regulations, and they are bound to have some errors. I’ll rely on the State agency in question, in this case Ohio BMV, to provide accurate answers to issues, not a third party organization’s attempt at collating 50 State databases. > … You are quite right. I totally missed that that wasn’t the official Ohio site/cite. My choice of Google words was intended to lead me to the actual no kidding state website. Apparently the GoogleGods chose to ignore that part of my search request. That’ll teach me to trust them. Read thoroughly first, \*then \*quote. Dumb guy. :o :smack: Thanks for setting the record straight. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248/26 "2017-07-18T01:04:59Z")
> [@ZurBob](#): > > 😕 Talk about a recipe for disaster! This is insane. > > Not often do I get to brag about Ohio, but apparently in this case we are light-years ahead of California. If when you sell a car the responsibility is on the seller to notify the DMV. The new owner often will not register a purchase after all if he does then he will have to pay fees. ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248/27 "2017-07-18T01:21:47Z")
> [@Snnipe\_70E](#): > > If when you sell a car the responsibility is on the seller to notify the DMV. The new owner often will not register a purchase after all if he does then he will have to pay fees. Wow. Mr. Rich honest I was paying attention in class. Sorry. He was my Junior English teacher my senior year of HS. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-i-do-with-my-plates-and-registration-when-i-dispose-of-my-car-ohio/791248.md?page=1)