Whose side would you be on? UPDATE page 17 (?!?)

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I had a car in college, also a freebie, that was so rusty, when I went to put the high beams on (with a foot switch that used to be on the left side of the floor, for those who haven't ever seen that), my foot went right through the floorboard and all the lights went out! Because I was an a weekend camping trip out in the woods at night, I had to follow a friend's car in front of me, for which I was pulled over, ticketed, and wound up with a lot of legal headaches. Fortunately nobody was hurt.

Driving an old, rusty car can definitely be unsafe, and there's a reason why we have vehicle inspections today.

I also thought a title to a car was universal, and connotes ownership. Doing a little searching around (because there seems to still be questions about it here, and I am still confused myself), apparently that's not true in Canada.

From a discussion board like this one, which seemed to give the best explanation that I could find:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/canada/498688-certificate-title-canadian-vehicles.html

So from that webpage I gathered this: Each province issues an ownership document for a vehicle at the time of registration. This registration document is based on the vehicle's VIN.

From Wikipedia here is the definition of title for the U.S.:
In the United States the certificate of title for a vehicle (also known as a car title or pink slip) is a legal form, establishing a person or business as the legal owner of a vehicle. Vehicle titles in the U.S. are commonly issued by the Secretary of State in the state you purchased the car in Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The certificate of title normally specifies:

1. Identifying information about the vehicle, normally at minimum its vehicle identification number, make, and year of manufacture.
2. The license plate number.
3. Technical information about the vehicle to define its taxation regime, e.g., its gross vehicle weight, motive power, and purchase price when new.
4. The name and address of the purchaser or "registered owner" who would normally possess and use it.
5. If money is owed on the vehicle, the name of the lienholder or "legal owner" to whom this money is owed.

So we're (general we're based on posters) arguing over something that means basically the same thing in Canada that it is in the U.S.!? I've highlighted the more salient aspect of the ownership document (Canada) and the certificate of title (U.S.) Unless in Manitoba the 'title' the OP is refering isn't there to reflect ownership document for a vehicle at the time of registration.

 

[CdnCarrie]

That isn't a valid comparison, as you're married.

No not exactly the same. But being in the same province I can see how that conversation went especially with an old car and if you're close to your brother.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

So from that webpage I gathered this: Each province issues an ownership document for a vehicle at the time of registration. This registration document is based on the vehicle's VIN.

From Wikipedia here is the definition of title for the U.S.:
In the United States the certificate of title for a vehicle (also known as a car title or pink slip) is a legal form, establishing a person or business as the legal owner of a vehicle. Vehicle titles in the U.S. are commonly issued by the Secretary of State in the state you purchased the car in Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The certificate of title normally specifies:

1. Identifying information about the vehicle, normally at minimum its vehicle identification number, make, and year of manufacture.
2. The license plate number.
3. Technical information about the vehicle to define its taxation regime, e.g., its gross vehicle weight, motive power, and purchase price when new.
4. The name and address of the purchaser or "registered owner" who would normally possess and use it.
5. If money is owed on the vehicle, the name of the lienholder or "legal owner" to whom this money is owed.

So we're (general we're based on posters) arguing over something that means basically the same thing in Canada that it is in the U.S.!? I've highlighted the more salient aspect of the ownership document (Canada) and the certificate of title (U.S.) Unless in Manitoba the 'title' the OP is refering isn't there to reflect ownership document for a vehicle at the time of registration.

Idk. I guess I'm wondering what happens if the vehicle isn't paid for yet?

Here, you don't get the title, say, from the bank, if you have a loan, until the car is paid for. Then they transfer it over to you.

Not sure how that works in Canada if you get an ownership document when you register it?

Maybe simpler when vehicle is already paid for.

 

[CdnCarrie]

I've never had an ownership document when I registered my car in my 35 years of driving in this province. When you register you get your registration document.

It doesn't matter if you own the car outright or not when you go to register it. Why would it?
If the car was written off and you still owe on it then you take your cheque from the provincial insurance agency and pay off your loan.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I've never had an ownership document when I registered my car in my 35 years of driving in this province. When you register you get your registration document.

It doesn't matter if you own the car outright or not when you go to register it. Why would it?
If the car was written off and you still owe on it then you take your cheque from the provincial insurance agency and pay off your loan.

Does the registration document reflect who has the ownership of the vehicle?

 

[cabanafrau]

I've never had an ownership document when I registered my car in my 35 years of driving in this province. When you register you get your registration document.

It doesn't matter if you own the car outright or not when you go to register it. Why would it?
If the car was written off and you still owe on it then you take your cheque from the provincial insurance agency and pay off your loan.

Very different from here in Michigan. If you purchase a vehicle with a loan the title document notes the name of the financial stakeholder. Your insurance company knows who the financial stakeholder is. The bank or financing company must be up-to-date on your insurance policy always. If a car with a lien on it is totaled in an accident the insurance company will determine payout value and the amount the lien holder is owed. The lien holder receives full payout of the loan before any money is paid out to the car owner individually.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Does the registration document reflect who has the ownership of the vehicle?

It says who it's registered too. Presumably that is the owner I guess..
You don't have to show any proof of ownership when registering the car. However if transferring the car to another name you would need an official safety certificate. And both parties would have to be there in person - one to cancel their registration and one to get registration.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It says who it's registered too. Presumably that is the owner I guess..

Bingo..this is what we're (other posters) are getting at.

However if transferring the car to another name you would need an official safety certificate. And both parties would have to be there in person - one to cancel their registration and one to get registration.

What's the point then in transfering the vehicle to another person then? If the point of who the owner is doesn't matter (as you said "Presumably that is the owner I guess.." what's the hubbub about then?

FWIW whether you agree with using the internet or the website it does state on Manitoba's website: "You’ll find the legal owner’s name on the right-hand side of the registration card." So it sounds like the registration card does reflect ownership of the vehicle which is the exact same thing that a title in the U.S. does. Now the question of people lying on the registration card and not actually putting the true legal owner of the vehicle in that spot isn't the issue. The point is both documents (registration document and title in the U.S.) are designed to reflect who owns the vehicle.

 

[NHdisneylover]

True. We have done this in a way too. Decided it would be cheaper to register husband's car under my name but when we got it safetied it needed one or two things done to it that worth repairing. Don't remember now what they were but they weren't anything major. So we left the car in his name without fixing it until we traded it in on a new vehicle.

But you are a married couple living in the same household? See, i see that as quite different than a couple driving a car registered to one of their brothers.

 

[CdnCarrie]

But you are a married couple living in the same household? See, i see that as quite different than a couple driving a car registered to one of their brothers.

perhaps. Again I can see how it happened in the OP's situation.

 

[tvguy]

I want to know what kind of 20 yr old rustbucket is worth $1000

Lots. Most with brand names like Mercedes, BMW, Infinity, Lexus, Jaguar, Saleen Mustang. Just the engines without the bodies in some of those can be worth thousands. A Cummings Diesel from a Dodge pickup can fetch $6,000

 

[mom2rtk]

Idk. I guess I'm wondering what happens if the vehicle isn't paid for yet?

Here, you don't get the title, say, from the bank, if you have a loan, until the car is paid for. Then they transfer it over to you.

Not sure how that works in Canada if you get an ownership document when you register it?

Maybe simpler when vehicle is already paid for.

That actually varies in the states as well. Our state issues the title to the individual even if there is a lien on it. Once you pay off the loan, you get a lien release letter to put with it.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That actually varies in the states as well. Our state issues the title to the individual even if there is a lien on it. Once you pay off the loan, you get a lien release letter to put with it.

Yup and for KS they will not release a title to an individual if there is a lien on it ("Titles that have a lien holder on file will not be issued until there are no liens for the vehicle on record.")

However, just like MO once you pay off the loan you get a lien release letter and then you take that to the DMV and they will release the physical title over to you.

 

[Bob Dolewhip]

If last year OP decided to sell the car to a scrap metal dealer for cash, and let’s say he didn’t care much about any paperwork as it seems to be a bit loose up north there... Would BIL ask her for the money?

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'd like to know the vehicle details, so somebody can check Edmunds or KBB and see how much money is truly at issue. Be amusing if all this angst is over a $25 value.

 

[jevs]

Lots. Most with brand names like Mercedes, BMW, Infinity, Lexus, Jaguar, Saleen Mustang. Just the engines without the bodies in some of those can be worth thousands. A Cummings Diesel from a Dodge pickup can fetch $6,000

Thanks for pointing this out to the masses. My 13 year old car is currently insured at market value for approx (not dragging paperwork out to check) 26k. And it isn’t one of those brands.

 

[tvguy]

Thanks for pointing this out to the masses. My 13 year old car is currently insured at market value for approx (not dragging paperwork out to check) 26k. And it isn’t one of those brands.

LOL. My 53 year old Mustang is insured at an agreed value of $35,000. But it isn't rusty! These days, a rusty 20 year old car could be worth more than $1,000

 

[DisneyOma]

I'm just amazed that there was more than one car on the road in this province, because it sounds like the most rural, wild, unregulated place in Canada. No inspections, no titles, no fault for accidents. Do they have intersections and stop signs? Or is it all just one big long road?

 

[RedAngie]

Why don’t people give toasters anymore as wedding gifts?

.

I thought that only applies if a lesbian recruits a straight women to marry her.

 

[cab0899]

It says who it's registered too. Presumably that is the owner I guess..
You don't have to show any proof of ownership when registering the car. However if transferring the car to another name you would need an official safety certificate. And both parties would have to be there in person - one to cancel their registration and one to get registration.

I live in Manitoba, bought a new car today went to register/get insurance from MPIC. Yes, you have to show the bill of sale to get registered.