Muskegon, MI asked in Traffic Tickets for Michigan

Q: Got arrested for driving without insurance, can I sell my car to pay the ticket before my court date?

I got arrested for driving without insurance in the state of Michigan but didn’t go to jail, I got released. I got my car out of the impound, I have a court date in about 2 weeks. Can I legally sell my car to pay off my ticket before the court date? Or will I get in more trouble for selling the “illegal” car in question before the court date?

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2 Lawyer Answers
Frank B. Ford
Frank B. Ford
Answered
  • Traffic Tickets Lawyer
  • Dearborn Heights, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: So far as I know, there would be nothing preventing you from selling the car. If you keep the car, however, be sure you get insurance on it before you go to court, and take the proof of insurance coverage to court as soon as possible. If you can't do it before the court date, take the proof with you when you go to court. If the insurance certificate is on your phone, print out a copy, since many courts won't let you take a phone into the court building. Sincerely, Frank B. Ford

Mark Bredow
Mark Bredow
Answered
  • Traffic Tickets Lawyer
  • Bloomfield Hills, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: It is not unlawful for you to sell your car. It is unlawful to operate it without having it insured or operating it without proof of insurance. If you had insurance at the time of the ticket, you may present the proof of insurance to the Court, who will, upon payment of an administrative fee will not report it to the state, so it will not appear on your driving record. This only works if you had insurance, but did not have the certificate with you.

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