Towing Issues: towing vehicle that we sold, dmv web, dept of motor vehicles

Question
My husbands son bought a vehicle from us but it needed work and he has yet to fix it.  It has sat at his apartment complex for quite some time undriven.  The title was signed by his son and we made a copy to show that he signed the title.  However, he has not gone to the BMV to have the title transferred to his name.  If the car is towed are we in any way responsible since the car is still titled to us even though his son signed the title?

Answer
Sadly, yes. You are still the legal owner until the title is in the buyers name. When ever you sell a vehicle ALWAYS make sure the buyer files for the title in their name. When a car is towed, only the legal owner can pick it up, or a person the name in a letter which is notarized, saying a 3rd party may pick it up. Did you take the tag and turn it in to the Dept. of motor vehicles?

In your case you seem to be dealing with a family member, if the car has been towed, make him go to the DMV & get the title in his name. Many people will find out the buyer never changed the title over when they get a letter stating their DL is not valid due to the buyer not only letting it stay in your name, they may also fail to get insurance on the vehicle. You may be able to report the sale or 'gift' online. Check your local DMV web-site. Best of luck to you. I tell my friends and family members )Sellers)to go with the buyer to the tag office to be sure they don't end up still owning a vehicle that someone else may own.

If this is a 'already happened' question, you may try taking a copy of the bill of sale, with the date he took ownership.

Good Luck, if I can be of any further help, let me know.
Lisa
www.tallahasseetowing.com