Can I get my car from the Impound with a bill of sale & signed title?

Question

My car got impounded on Saturday. The car is not titled to me but I have the signed title & a receipt from the woman I bought it from more than 4 months ago. The impound lot is saying I have to have the car titled & registered which I can't because I can't get it inspected while it's in the impound lot, but the police officer said I could take the title & bill of sale with me! How can I get my car back!?!

Answer 1

You're in a catch 22 situation. Probably in your state all transfers must be done within 30 days of the sale, and unless it is registered in your name the impound yard is right that you can't drive it off the lot. But, with the title and bill of sale, you can prove you have an interest in, and a right of possession of the vehicle. There are a couple of ways to take it off the lot without having to tag and insure it. One is to have the tow company tow it to your house after paying the fees and an additional tow charge to take it home for you. The other is to show up with a trailer and a pair of ramps, drive the vehicle up on the trailer after paying for the impound, tie it down with 4 chains, and take it home yourself.

*Perhaps* there is a mechanism in your state to get a permit to drive it to the inspection station, ask the office that issues tags and ask, if so then you could drive it from impound to inspection.

Answer 2

Take the title and bill of sale to the yard and see if that's enough--explain the car isn't registered yet and you might have to have it towed if it's illegal to drive it. You just have to show it's your property.

Answer 3

Take what documentation you have and also get a notarized letter from the person who sold it to you

Answer 4

BILL OF SALE, SIGNED TITLE AND SOME SORT OF NOTARIZED STATEMENT TO THAT AFFECT AND A LOT OF MONEY.