Q: Who is responsible for late/penalty fees from dmv at the time of sale? Or after the sale?

At the dmv i found out there was a $900 balance owed for penalty fees due to not being registered for 2 years. The seller says it's my truck now and i bought it "as is"

Do i have to pay the $900 to get the truck in my name? Oh and there is an illegal 2019 sticker on the plate...

1 Lawyer Answer
William John Light
William John Light
Answered
  • Santa Ana, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: "Penalties may be waived upon payment of the registration fees due when a transferee (including a dealer) applies for transfer and it is determined that the registration penalties accrued prior to the transferee’s date of purchase and the transferee was not aware that the registration fees for the current or prior registration years were unpaid and due (CVC §9562(a)).

Fees and penalties may be waived for any registration year when a transferee (including a dealer) applies for transfer and it is determined that the registration fees became due prior to the transferee’s date of purchase and the transferee was not aware that the fees were unpaid and due if the license plate assigned to the vehicle displays a valid year sticker issued by DMV that matches the year for which the transferee is requesting a waiver of fees and penalties (CVC §9562(c)).

The license plate assigned to the vehicle must display a valid year sticker issued by DMV that matches the year for which the transferee is requesting a waiver of fees and penalties (CVC §9562(c)).

A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form stating that the transferee was not aware the fees were unpaid and due and indicating the sticker number on the license plate must be submitted with the application."

dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcm:path:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch3/ch3_17

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