The Secretary of State will send notice of abandonment to the last titled owner of record. The owner of record changes when a purchaser applies to transfer the title into his or her name. The law creates a presumption that the last titled owner of a vehicle is responsible for abandoning it. The owner of record may be liable for all fees and penalties associated with the abandoned vehicle unless the person provides an acceptable record of sale or a copy of the reassigned title.

If you traded in the vehicle to a dealer, the title application for your new vehicle should show that your previous vehicle was traded in. If you donated your vehicle to a charity, the charity should provide a receipt with a description of the vehicle, including the year, make, VIN and date of donation. Either one may be considered an acceptable record of sale.

You cannot redeem a vehicle that you previously sold. If you are ticketed, fined or involved in a civil or criminal proceeding, you should present your record of sale to the court. Otherwise, no action on your part is required.
 

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