Santa Ana, CA asked in Municipal Law and Traffic Tickets

Q: Can my car get towed for expired registration if I had a fix it ticket that gave me an extra month to get registered

And can the tow yard auction my car without giving me notice they never sent me anything saying they were going to auction it has been there 3 months.. I am in San Diego CA,

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: Under California law, your car can be towed for expired registration even if you have a fix-it ticket that gave you additional time to register. Law enforcement may still tow your vehicle if it is found on a public road with expired registration. It's advisable to keep proof of your fix-it ticket and any attempts to comply with it in case you need to contest the tow.

Regarding the auction of your car, California law requires that the tow yard must give you notice before auctioning your vehicle. Specifically, the tow yard is required to send a notice by certified mail within a certain timeframe after the car is towed, informing you of the tow and the potential auction. This notice should be sent within 15 days if your vehicle is towed for a reason other than being abandoned. If the vehicle remains unclaimed, the tow yard must then provide a final notice of lien sale 20 days before the auction.

If the tow yard failed to notify you properly, they may have violated California's towing and lien sale laws. You may have legal grounds to contest the sale of your vehicle or seek compensation. It would be beneficial to consult with a legal professional to discuss your specific situation and potential next steps.

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