How to Report the Deactivation of a Sold Vehicle Without Transferring Ownership?
3 Answers
You can request police intervention, but you must tell the truth and absolutely cannot file a false police report. If a vehicle is sold without transferring ownership, the vehicle still belongs to the original owner, and the owner can proceed with the deactivation. To complete the deactivation procedure, the owner must go to the traffic regulatory authority at the vehicle's registered location by the last day of the current month and submit the required road traffic fee certificates as per regulations.
Having worked at the DMV for many years, I can tell you that selling a car without transferring ownership carries high risks, and as the original owner, you could still be held liable. The main purpose of de-registering a vehicle is to suspend its related procedures and avoid incurring further costs. Here's how to do it: Bring your ID card and vehicle registration certificate to the local DMV to apply for vehicle de-registration. They will mark the status as 'deactivated.' At the same time, immediately contact your insurance company to cancel the compulsory and commercial insurance policies to prevent being held responsible if someone else drives the car and gets into an accident. Remember to keep copies of the sales contract, receipt photos, or transfer records as proof that the car has been sold, in case of future disputes. If there are any unpaid taxes or fees, settle them as well. This process must be done in person—don’t delay. The sooner you handle it, the fewer potential risks you’ll face. As a general rule, always complete the ownership transfer when selling a car to avoid these hassles.
I once sold an old car, and the buyer was in a hurry, so I didn’t complete the transfer of ownership. Later, the car got a traffic violation, and the fine notice was sent to my address. I panicked and rushed to report the suspension: first, I went to the vehicle management office to suspend the vehicle registration and submitted the required documents; then, I contacted the insurance company to cancel the policy, saving on premiums. This experience taught me that even after selling a car, failing to transfer ownership means you’re still liable. Suspending registration can prevent further issues, but the safest option is to complete the transfer. When selling a car, don’t be lazy like I was—at least sign a sales agreement as proof. If you must suspend registration, don’t hesitate—act quickly, or you’ll be in serious trouble if something goes wrong.
