I forgot to take the plates off the car?

[Shynicole22]

I brought a car and it turned out to be a lemon. It lasted for a good while, So I decided to sign it over to a close friend... that like to fix cars. I forgot to take the license plate off the car. The car is at a mechanic shop now, and he took the license plate off for me and put in in storage in NC. But he lives in a different state. I won't be able to turn the license plate in. Will I go to jail for this? I live in NC by the way.

[RandomGirl42]

I know in my state it isn't a big deal but I asked AI for your state and got this reply:

"Short answer: no, you are not going to jail for this. Take a breath—you’re okay. 🙂

Here’s how this generally works in North Carolina:

In NC, license plates belong to the owner, not the car.
When you sell, give away, or junk a vehicle, you’re supposed to remove the plate and either:

transfer it to another vehicle, or
turn it in to the NC DMV (or file a lost plate affidavit if needed).
Forgetting to remove the plate at first is very common and not a crime.

What matters most
The big concern for the DMV isn’t punishment—it’s liability:

You don’t want that plate tied to a car you no longer own.
You don’t want tickets, tolls, or accidents traced back to you.
You’ve already done the right thing by getting the plate off the car. That’s the important part.

Since the plate is in another state
You have a few easy options:

Have your friend/mechanic mail the plate to you, then you turn it in.
Or mail the plate directly to the NC DMV (this is allowed).
If the plate somehow gets lost, you can file a Lost Plate Affidavit (MVR-18A) instead—also not a criminal issue.
Will you get fined?
Possibly a small civil penalty (often tied to insurance or registration timing), but:

No arrest
No criminal charge
No jail
NC DMV handles this administratively, not criminally."

[Shynicole22]

Thanks... help a lot 🩷🙏🏾🙏🏾

[Static_In_The_Attic]

Yes, in North Carolina, you must remove your license plate when you sell a car. The plate should either be transferred to a replacement vehicle or surrendered to the N. C. Department of Transportation (NCDMV). Surrendering the plate is crucial to cancel your insurance, as failure to do so before cancelling liability coverage can result in civil penalties.

Key Steps for NC License Plates When Selling:
Remove the Plate: Do not leave your license plate with the buyer.
Surrender or Transfer: Take the plate to an NCDMV license plate agency or mail it to: NCDMV Vehicle Registration Section, 3148 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3148.

Avoid Fines: Ensure the plate is turned in before canceling your insurance to avoid penalties of $50 to $150
for liability insurance lapses.

Alternatives: If you accidentally left the plate on the car, you can report it lost or stolen, or visit a DMV office to inform them you sold the vehicle.

You can also submit a Notice of Vehicle Sale (Form MVR-28) to the DMV to further release yourself from liability.

Unfortunately things happen & some people forget to remove the plate. As for you I would call your friend & inform him that you he is going to have to surrender the license plate & inform him that you are reporting the plate LOST with the DMV in your state in order to be released of all liability.

NEXT TIME REMEMBER TO REMOVE THE LICENSE PLATE.

[andreasderjuengere]

You will be stripped off your citizen's rights, deported, and declared to be a public enemy
The only way to save you is to sign up with the Republican Party and to hail Trump as your saviour at least twice a day.
Publicly.
It also does not hurt to go to church, so that people can "pray for you, and think of you"
...
have you ever considered to live in a different country? Right now is the best time to do so 😄

[Shynicole22]

Lol 🤣🤣😆😆

[DishLady]

No, you don't go to jail for that, but you're still responsible for the vehicle (insurance + tickets + etc) till you've proven that you're not in possession of the vehicle. You can call the DMV and send them a pic of the plates and ask them to send you the link to the form you have to fill out. See what they can figure out with you.

Also, there's this place called a POST OFFICE. The plates can be popped into the mail and sent to you.

[Anonymous]

File a police report saying the plates were on the car when it was taken by the buyer, and also let your car insurance company know. Then if anything happens you have that on record. To be even safer, have a lawyer do it, which will cost a few hundred dollars, but now you've got double protection. If someone causes $1 million damage with those plates on, or there's a high speed chase, you'll be covered.

[joehypo1]

You want to try and get them if something happens with those plates on it they will be looking for you , hopefully you can get them back

[Abbycado]

How did it last a good while if it was a lemon?

To answer the question, no. You don’t go to jail for a misplaced plate smh.

[Mike_Hum]

you need to make up a bill of sale, have you both sign it and send that to the DMV