This is a reminder that the 50 state DMVs (and BMVs, etc.) are 50 separate fiefdoms that loathe and rabidly mistrust each other (and you) and each has their own bizarre and completely different sets of rules, regulations, as well as practices, customs, and unwritten rules that have nothing to do with the regs. "Byzantine" doesn't even begin to cover the situation.
In Indiana, there is no form or process I've ever found for disavowing a vehicle you've sold to someone else. It's entirely on the new owner to complete the title transfer within 45 days, and you are expected to remove your plate (plates "belong" to the owner around here) and trust, childlike, in the new owner's good intentions.
There's also no form or process for transporting a car with a temporary plate (technically speaking there is, but it's exactly as much trouble as just getting the goddurn title and plate, so there's no point)... which makes buying/selling out of state or at a distance a giant pain in the ass unless you have a trailer. (And there are many other twists that make buying/selling vehicles out of state a giant pain as well.)
Anyway, I tend to use up vehicles to the bitter, bitter end of their lifetime and sell them very cheap. I've been bit by penniless morons like this twice when selling cheap old cars, and lessons were learned.
Fortunately, I also had a signed Bill of Sale for each, and once I explained the situation to Mr. Angry Police Officer, provided the new owner's info, and offered to send the BoS as proof, he dropped the stupid shouty act.
So... BoS, photocopy of DL, photocopy of signed title, and ascertain beforehand if the buyer actually has an insurance quote and the money on hand to get the vehicle insured and registered. You'd be surprised how many people accumulate, say, $900 in couch change and then try to buy $2,000 motorcycles and cars. "Kin I make payments?"
Overall, I also try to avoid selling to people I know. When I sell something, I never want to see it again, and it damn sure doesn't have a warranty. Lose my number. I've learned the hard way that selling to family and friends puts an unbreakable rubber band on the thing.
Overall, selling to, you know, functional adults helps the most.
In Indiana, there is no form or process I've ever found for disavowing a vehicle you've sold to someone else. It's entirely on the new owner to complete the title transfer within 45 days, and you are expected to remove your plate (plates "belong" to the owner around here) and trust, childlike, in the new owner's good intentions.
There's also no form or process for transporting a car with a temporary plate (technically speaking there is, but it's exactly as much trouble as just getting the goddurn title and plate, so there's no point)... which makes buying/selling out of state or at a distance a giant pain in the ass unless you have a trailer. (And there are many other twists that make buying/selling vehicles out of state a giant pain as well.)
Anyway, I tend to use up vehicles to the bitter, bitter end of their lifetime and sell them very cheap. I've been bit by penniless morons like this twice when selling cheap old cars, and lessons were learned.
Fortunately, I also had a signed Bill of Sale for each, and once I explained the situation to Mr. Angry Police Officer, provided the new owner's info, and offered to send the BoS as proof, he dropped the stupid shouty act.
So... BoS, photocopy of DL, photocopy of signed title, and ascertain beforehand if the buyer actually has an insurance quote and the money on hand to get the vehicle insured and registered. You'd be surprised how many people accumulate, say, $900 in couch change and then try to buy $2,000 motorcycles and cars. "Kin I make payments?"
Overall, I also try to avoid selling to people I know. When I sell something, I never want to see it again, and it damn sure doesn't have a warranty. Lose my number. I've learned the hard way that selling to family and friends puts an unbreakable rubber band on the thing.
Overall, selling to, you know, functional adults helps the most.
