Im a absolute IDIOT...I need your thoughts

Short backstory ..Ibought a new used car last January 2025 after I was in an accident in December 2024. My car was a total loss. The guy who I bought it from did not fix the issue with the used new car, and my 30 day warranty was up. It has always fishtailed. I tried two other mechanics and they said the shocks and struts were fine and they couldn't identify why it still fishtailed. I've dealt with it but I'm going to trade it in soon

The registration is needing renewal soon. I got out the registration paper to pay online and I saw again that the previous owner name is on it, not mine. At the time, I was in constant pain from the accident and was overwhelmed with all three mechanics not being able to service the car. I assumed Bec it states Owner or previous owner, that it was fine and that that was just the new protocol.

I started to question that tonight and looked it up..I guess my name does need to be on the registration too. I don't know why I thought just previous owner. I feel so idiotic. It says some sellers will not put on the new buyer to save money. I don't know what to do now 😟 Now I need to pay myself more ( instead of the $60 renewal fee) Bec of the sellers doing??

(I did have my own plate transferred..not a new plate. Not sure if that makes any difference)

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Bexsy

does the title have your name? didn't you get it from a car lot? think they would be ones who submitted registration info?

Baybreeze · 41-45, F

@Bexsy I really hope the title has my name.. I'm try ing to find it now. I just am so frenzied about this. The seller took care of registration and it was mailed to me. Because it says Previous owner/owner, and it has previous owner only I thought ok well maybe that's just the protocol. I feel so ridiculous. 🙁

Jamesy · 41-45, M

Have a word with traffic police, it seems a bit suspect 🤔.

JoyfulSilence · 51-55, M

Go to the motor vehicle office and explain the situation and ask what to do. Hopefully they can get it all fixed or at least point you in the right direction. And if there was a lapse in ownership or registration, perhaps the worst that could happen, I suppose, would be some fine? I am clueless, though. But try to be all legal from now on.

I have always leased a car from a Honda dealer (in either VA or MD) and they handled title and registration, but the title was always in Honda's name because it was still their car. The registration was in my name, and I did have to renew my registration once a year or once every two years.

My current car was the last one I leased. When my lease ended, I bought it. Honda sent me the title and I had to re-title it in my name, and, if I recall, re-register it (with new plates). I had no clue how to title or register a car.

l looked for businesses and picked AAA since they were close. They also registered it in my name with new plates. They even returned my old plates to the motor vehicle department

When I trade in my car some day, I will have to transfer the title to the dealer, I presume. Hopefully I can just hand it over and they can do the paperwork.

I just moved, so I have to change the address on my licence and my registration. But I do not have to re-title my car since it is still in the same state.

Baybreeze · 41-45, F

@JoyfulSilence Ya I may need to call or go there...it was the dealer who didn't register my name and should have. It was probably just to save them money Bec a new registration is more than just renewing the previous owner. Im only finding that out now,😔 I just thought as long as it was listing any owners on the title, on the registration, it was like a new protocol but now I dont think so.

JoyfulSilence · 51-55, M

@Baybreeze

I hope it all works out.

Gibbon · 70-79, M

You really have no choice you need to resolve it and get your name on the registration and title to unload it

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myotherlife · 61-69, M

@Baybreeze I hope so

Gibbon · 70-79, M

@Baybreeze whatever you do you have to keep your tags current which implies the registration

Baybreeze · 41-45, F

@Gibbon I'm trying to find the title I really hope my name is on it...

myotherlife · 61-69, M

Seems shady

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