Did you know that you can receive a parking ticket for a car you sold? In a state you no longer live in?

Yes. Did not know this until today.

Normal Monday, woke, sipped coffee, and caught up on YouTube while Sawyer had his breakfast. After his fill, his bathroom break, and my brunch, we headed upstairs to work for the day. While talking to a friend, I got another call from my previous landlord (and friend) from Los Angeles.

Taking his call I found out that I had received a letter from the San Mateo Sheriff’s Department regarding a violation from this August. 

I don’t live in California. Haven’t since 2019, also haven’t been back.

Odd, right?

Considering I sold the car in question to Carvana.

So my work day quickly became multiple phone calls to California, the Sheriff’s department and then dealing with Carvana via their chat service, because there really is no way to actually call the company. Which I find strange and a bit shady. What major US company doesn't have a customer service phone number? 

Even I provide a phone number on my website.

Turns out, the “proof of sale” was never submitted, and in the state of California, if you do not provide a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) you could be held responsible for parking/traffic violations or civil or criminal actions associated with the vehicle after the date of sale.

Did I know this? No.

Was I informed of this when I sold the car to Carvana? No.

Have I EVER had to file this paperwork? No.

Previously, I had a Wrangler, a Honda, and a Compass during my 15 years in the state. I always traded in vehicles to dealers and they typically handled that aspect of the sale. I assumed that Carvana handled this since they are “considered” a dealer.

They apparently didn’t.

Is this sold car still “legally” mine?

It’s been 5 years. FIVE.

My thought now, the Renegade was stolen and never actually sold. Carvana being a company that probably has insurance to cover this, never really filed a case or if they did, never really cared regarding the outcome.

Why do I think this?

The DMV provided the San Mateo Sheriff’s Office with my information, which stated I was the owner of the car. If that was the case, I never received the registration, if I had, my friend and previous landlord would have called/texted to let me know I had mail from the DMV.

So my question is, do I have a paid-off car, sitting at an impound or on a street in California? Could I legally be able to fly to California, pay the $80 ticket, and drive the car back to Ohio? If it was impounded and if the keys were with the vehicle?

I mean it’s not something I would do, I have no idea who purchased, owns, stole, or otherwise has used the car for whatever purposes they have. How was it NEVER registered to a new owner?

Should I call the California DMV and find out?

I know the title is no longer in my name, which means the car is not mine. I do however find it very odd.

How far down this weird rabbit hole do I want to travel?

What would you do?

So that was my Monday, how was your first day of the week?