Raleigh, NC asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for North Carolina

Q: Failure to transfer title within 28 days - guilty of class 2 misdemeanor?

If you don't transfer title within 28 days after sale of vehicle, NC G.S. 20-73 seems to indicate you are guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor. Does that mean if I go to the DMV and transfer the title now (including paying the DMV's late penalty fee) that I will have a class 2 misdemeanor on my record?

I didn't realize I had to transfer the title - this is for a "dual sport" motorcycle that was only to be used as a dirt bike and I was not initially going to register it and mistakenly did not realize I needed to transfer the title. I'd like to register it now (it is street legal) but clearly need to transfer the title first. Just wondering if trying to transfer the title will result in a class 2 misdemeanor on my record. Thank you.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Amanda Bowden Johnson
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Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Jacksonville, NC
  • Licensed in North Carolina

A: No, you do not just 'magically' get a class 2 misdemeanor tacked onto your record. You'd have to be formally charged and then convicted and most DA's aren't interested in prosecuting someone who didn't realize they need to do a title transfer. If you go take care of your business the way you should have in the first place, odds are the worst that happens is you'll have to pay some extra fees or penalties and that will be the end of it.

Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer

1 user found this answer helpful

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