California DMV?

Question

I sold a car while in CA. I've since moved to PA and I submitted movement forms to the CA DMV as I was supposed to. But, the CA DMV aparently didn't get the "Notice of Release of Liability" from the new owner of the car and thinks that not only do I still own it, but that I am still at my old address. I've gotten the 2nd notice where they are threatening to keep my CA tax refund and all sorts of nastyness unless I send them money. According to their own insturctions, the "new buyer must apply for transfer" using the form. If the new buyer did, aparently the DMV lost the forms. How do I rectify this? I don't have the new buyer's name or address. Please tell me I'm not the first person this has happened to. There must be a way to tell the DMV what happened. I tried calling but only get recorded messages.

Answer 1

When buying/selling a car in CA - the Certificate of Title (used to be known as the pink slip) is VERY important.

There are TWO PARTS to the Certificate of Title.

1) The Certificate of Title - which is the larger rainbow colored portion

2) The Release of Liability Form. The smaller portion

These two forms are in one piece - but perferated. When a sale happens, the Certificate of Title goes to the new owner - and the seller then tears off the Release of Liability Form - fills it out and sends it in to the DMV. Apparently, you didn't do that when you sold the car. The buyer is supposed to "apply for transer" as the DMV said. But the seller (that would be YOU) is supposed to fill out and turn in the Release of Liability form.

There are CA DMV phone numbers where you CAN talk to a real person - but you might be on hold for awhile. if you don't know the buyer's name or address, the one thing that MIGHT save you is the plates. They'll be able to track the car by the plates if the buyer actually registered the car - but didn't turn in the release of liability. If the buyer didn't register the car - I don't know how they would track it - and that would be an ugly situation for you. I'm SURE you are not the first person this has happend to!

Good luck. Hope it all works out!