Q: Will the county auditor report me when I go to transfer a car title into my name after 45 days?
I failed to transfer a car title into my name within 45 days of receiving it as a gift.
I was gifted a car from my parents about 1 year ago and never transferred the title into my name because I haven't driven the car at all since then and was fine with paying a $125 late fee. What I didn't know at the time was that it's a misdemeanor in Washington State if you don't transfer a title within 45 days.
Can I go to my county auditor's office licensing dept. with the necessary forms and pay the registration, late fee, etc. without them reporting me?
A:
As far as I know, it's only a crime to DRIVE the car if the registration isn't transferred in 45 days. If you aren't driving it, no crime. No reason for the auditor's office to report you, and I can't imagine they would even if you did drive the car there.
http://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.16A.030
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