Do you have an old, damaged or unwanted vehicle taking up space in your driveway? Instead of paying to have it towed to a junkyard, consider selling it to a junk car buyer. Let your old clunker give you a payday instead of a headache! Junking vehicles is a popular way to dispose of unwanted cars, trucks, vans and SUVs that are no longer roadworthy or worth repairing. Before you decide to junk your car, make sure you understand your legal requirements, responsibilities and the process according to the state you reside in.
When Are You Required to Notify the DMV That You’ve Sold Your Car?
You are usually required to inform the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state regarding any ownership changes to your car when it’s:
- Sold
- Junked
- Transferred to another party
- Gifted
- Donated
- Surrendered to your insurance company
When changes occur to your vehicle’s ownership status, you should notify the DMV immediately to protect you from possible liability. Please inform the state of the abovementioned changes to avoid legal issues or unwanted fees.
Do I Need to Notify the DMV if I Junk My Car in Florida?
Yes, you need to let the state of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles know that you have junked your vehicle and no longer possess it. They may also require you to complete a Damage Disclosure Statement, found on the back of your vehicle’s paper title. The process varies from state to state, so if you reside somewhere other than Florida, contact your local authorities to determine what actions you need to take to properly junk your car and ensure you don’t encounter any future liabilities or legal issues.
How Do I Notify the DMV That I’ve Sold My Car?
The junk car process varies from state to state. In Florida, junking a vehicle involves specific steps to ensure proper disposal and termination of your vehicle’s registration. Some states require vehicle owners to notify the DMV directly; however, the Florida procedure is slightly different.
Cancel Your Vehicle Insurance – If your junk car is still on your insurance policy, cancel the policy. If other vehicles are on the policy, remove the junked vehicle. Terminating insurance coverage for that specific vehicle protects you from liability involving that car after it’s junked.
Transfer or Surrender the License Plate – Florida law requires the removal of your license tag before selling it for junk or transferring ownership to a junkyard or salvage yard. You can transfer this plate to a newly purchased car or surrender it to your local county tax collector’s office in person or by mail. Failure to submit your tag may result in the suspension of your driver’s license.
Vehicle owners may surrender license plates and registration to:
- A local Florida tax collector’s office
- Local driver’s license office in person
- By mail:
Direct Mail & Fast Title Services,
2900 Apalachee Parkway
A330, MS 72
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Fill out the Notice of Sale Form (HSMV 82050) – Since July 2009, Florida has required all sellers to file a Notice of Sale to record that they have sold or transferred ownership of their vehicle to a junkyard or junk car buyer. It will remove the seller from the vehicle’s registration and help the seller avoid civil liability once the vehicle is sold. Download the form at the FLHSMV.
Keep a Copy of the Bill of Sale – Obtain a bill of sale from the salvage yard when they purchase your vehicle. This document serves as proof of the transaction and should include details such as the vehicle’s VIN, the buyer’s information, the date of sale and the purchase price.
Sell Your Old or Unwanted Vehicle to a Trusted Junkyard
Ready to junk your old car, truck, van or SUV? Gardner Auto Parts will buy your old, damaged or non-functional vehicles. They offer hassle-free transactions and the best price around on junk cars. Their staff will guide you through the process, handling all the necessary paperwork to meet all legal requirements. Feel free to stop by for a junk car quote at our junkyard and auto parts store located at 2090 NW 21st Street in Pompano Beach, Florida, just south of Copans Road on the east side of the road.
Junker not running? No problem! Gardner Auto Parts offers free towing services for local customers wishing to sell unwanted vehicles. Give us a call at 954-972-9407 to get your junk car sale started.