What to do if there are traffic violations after selling the car without transferring ownership?
3 Answers
After selling the car to someone else without transferring ownership, traffic violations are generally penalized against the previous owner. At the traffic violation handling window of the traffic police department, the license holder must be present in person. For violations outside of highways, a mobile app can be used for registration. Bring your valid documents to the vehicle management office for processing. After receiving the notice at the window, you usually need to go to the bank counter to pay the fine.
I’ve encountered a similar situation before—I sold my car but forgot to transfer the ownership, and the traffic violation notice was sent directly to my address. It was quite troublesome because legally the car was still under my name, and I had to shoulder the fine bills. If left unresolved, late fees could accrue, or even affect my driver’s license renewal. I immediately contacted the buyer to complete the transfer. Luckily, I kept the sales contract and receipt as evidence, or it would’ve been hard to clarify. I also visited the traffic police station to explain the situation and submitted proof of the transaction date, waiting for them to process the violation transfer. My advice: Always draft a contract specifying the transfer deadline when selling a car, take photos of IDs and the vehicle for backup, and avoid disputes. If issues persist, consult professionals at the DMV for mediation—don’t delay until it escalates into a credit problem.
Last time my friend sold his car without completing the ownership transfer, and later received a pile of speeding tickets. He panicked as he couldn't reach the buyer. Such violations pose significant risks, easily making the original owner take the blame. My approach is to immediately locate the contract and receipt to prove the car was sold before the violations occurred, then call the traffic police hotline 122 to report and file a record. I also personally visited the DMV to fill out an application form stating that I wasn't the one driving. Once approved, the violation records would be transferred to the new owner. The whole process requires patience, and remember to save chat records as evidence. Before the transfer, you must keep a close eye on it. Now I remind everyone to have the buyer complete the transfer on the spot during the transaction, unlike this time-consuming and risky situation.
