Giving away a car, and questions about Oklahoma tags

[-Pjackso]

Hi all,

My wife has her childhood car. It's an 1985 chevy and has been stored at her parents farm. It hasn't been driven for 10+ years, and currently doesn't have a motor/trans - not sure when it was removed. (Doesn't matter). She's decided to give away the car.

It's got a clear Oklahoma title, and hasn't been titled in 10+ years. (because it's been stored and notdriven) She wants to sign the title over to a friend ($0.00), but the Tag office says we'd have to pay for the last 3 years (+ late fees). It's goint to total to about $300 out of our pockets to 'give' away the car.
If the car was driveable, I would be more understanding of the tag office - but the darned thing doesn't even have a motor/trans.


I'm looking to give the car away, with minimal (no) cost to us.
Is it even required to tag the car?
What can I do?


...I appreciate your help.

 

[tyromeo55]

Scrap it and get paid to get rid of it

 

[-Pjackso]

Yea, hind-sight is 20/20.
Leaving the damned thing sit in the shed until it rusted away, or haul to the scrap yard. Both options would be better. Unfortunately, the wife has already promised the car to a friend - so no backing out of the deal.

To my knowledge, we have to bring the tag current before the title can be transferred.
Even though it'll probably be years before the friend gets the car driving again.

 

[71buickfreak]

No, it is not required to tag the vehicle, only when it is to be driven on the street. You don't have to pay for a damn thing, you can give the vehicle to your friend, sign the title (a notary is required) and be done with it. The new own will then be responsible for 2 years of tags and a $200 fine. The state of Oklahoma has a 2 year cap on back tags and penalties. Don't scrap it, if the person wants to save the car, let them do so. It won't cost you anything.

You are not required by law to pay for the tags and penalties. The car does not have to be tagged if it is not on the road. The tag agency you talked to is trying to get your money. And 3 years is not the law, 2 years is. I buy/sell/trade cars all the time, I know the laws. Depending on how much of a friend this person is, you can write a bill of sale and leave the date off of it. Then, when the person has the car ready to be driven, you sign the title with a notary and they can get it transfered and tagged. That will save them some money in the long run, but I would only do that if they are a good friend.

 

[OKCShooter]

No, it is not required to tag the vehicle, only when it is to be driven on the street. You don't have to pay for a damn thing, you can give the vehicle to your friend, sign the title (a notary is required) and be done with it. The new own will then be responsible for 2 years of tags and a $200 fine. The state of Oklahoma has a 2 year cap on back tags and penalties. Don't scrap it, if the person wants to save the car, let them do so. It won't cost you anything.

You are not required by law to pay for the tags and penalties. The car does not have to be tagged if it is not on the road. The tag agency you talked to is trying to get your money. And 3 years is not the law, 2 years is. I buy/sell/trade cars all the time, I know the laws. Depending on how much of a friend this person is, you can write a bill of sale and leave the date off of it. Then, when the person has the car ready to be driven, you sign the title with a notary and they can get it transfered and tagged. That will save them some money in the long run, but I would only do that if they are a good friend.

This.


Sign the title over and GET A BILL OF SALE FOR $.01 and it's gone.

Next time, donate it and take a write-off or scrap it.

 

[inactive]

Someone could file a title 42 on the car (either the parents, who are storing the car, or the new owner once they take the car).

Once that is done, they'd have a title in their name. It would probably be about the same as the penalties though once it's all said and done.

 

[-Pjackso]

Ok,
I want this to be a clear-cut transaction, with no questions in the future.

So the wife signs the title (notorized) and the friend puts their name on the title with the current date.
Can they then transfer the title over to their name (without tags)?
That way, we're out of the deal. Whenever they get the car running - tomorrow or next year - it's all their issue.

Is this correct?


Another option I'm playing with...
I transfer the title to a family member in Arkansas, title it in Arkansas, then have the family member sign the Arkansas title to the friend in Oklahoma.
The car has already dropped off the OK state tags records, and Arkansas doesn't have the silly 'tag a non-driving car' issue.
That way, the total title bill will be must less. (just 2x title fee - no tag late fees and such).
And whenever it gets driving - it's registered as a new car on Oklahoma roads.
Any pitfall with this?


I appreciate the input(s).
Any other ideas?

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

Since the engine and transmission are missing from the vehicle, have the friend apply for a salvage title, then when its repaired take the receipts to the tag agency and get it converted to a regular title; no penalties are levied.

 

[71buickfreak]

Don't do the salvage title thing, that will harm the resale value of the vehicle as the new title would be a rebuilt title and a lot of people shy away from those.

Transferring it to Arkansas would require the vehicle be taken to ark for a vin inspection, its more hassle than it is worth.

Just sign the title, they will have to tag it with a black tag and then keep it tagged otherwise, they will be forced to pay the fines all over again. Its a new law in Oklahoma that recently went into effect. Before then, you could get a reciept for engine/transmission work or parts and the fees were waived.