Ask the Parking Guru + Parking Quiz: If You Sell Your Car, Do You Still Have to Pay Your Parking Tickets?

Hey David,

As an SF native who has his own share of parking tricks, I've really enjoyed reading your well-written book and 7x7 posts. I had a quick question for you about something that I've gotten conflicting responses to. My girlfriend had a few parking tickets but recently sold her car back to the dealer and thus won't have to pay registration on it again. Is she responsible for paying the parking tickets and will they transfer back over to her the next time she has to register a car or renew her drivers license or do they just stay with the car?

Thanks,
Alex

Ok you savvy parkers…what’s the answer?

A) SFMTA will not stop hunting her until they finally track her down and get your money.

B) She sold the car before SFMTA caught up to her, she is scot-free.

C) The new owner will get the bill for the tickets, and they can sue her for reimbursement.

D) SFMTA has three years from the date of issuance to collect the fees, after that she does not owe them a nickel.

E) None of the above.

Write your answers in the comments below! We'll post the answer after lunch.

View the discussion thread.

Seriously-- what is the answer?

By Anonymous (not verified) on October 12, 2011

If all else fails when taking a test containing multiple choice questions, the answer C usually pops up a bit more than the other letters. But not always. Averages mean little to the gods of free will.

By Queen Esther the Destroyer (not verified) on October 03, 2011

Lights on; Lights off. The little lights inside the car that you are buying, selling, driving or even carjacking (don't get me started about the car-stealing, for that is a horse of an entirely different color...HI HO SILVER!). Read the lights inside your car to tell if it needs anything, anything at all or you just might get stuck in a sticky situation. Getting stuck in a prison is another situation that will need no explanation. If you've got some tickets...You are most undeniably F*CKED if you don't pay for them. Playing stupid parking lot circular argument, Ad Hominem debate-agen tactics aside...So avoidable. Stay strong, be safe, sing a simple song!

-STRONJAY, spell it Stronge with an emphasis on the e at the end of the word.

Boomerang is a movie starring Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Halle Berry and that other pretty girl Mike Tyson was married to.

By Queen Esther the Destroyer (not verified) on October 03, 2011

WHAT IS THE ANSWER!??!?

By Anon (not verified) on August 02, 2011

Dear "anonymous" down below. That is not true.

By Ed (not verified) on July 08, 2011

Dealers usually run the dmv and see what penalties, non registration ones, are due and will make her pay or take them out of her check issued for the car. She signed off agreeing to in her contract.

By Anonymous (not verified) on July 08, 2011

I say D

By O (not verified) on July 08, 2011