Selling a junk car in Ridgecrest

What counts as inoperative here

Section 106-2, in the zoning code, defines an inoperative automobile as "any vehicle which is unable to be moved under its own power, except a trailer, or has parts removed or damaged which would render it unmovable under its own power." A seized engine qualifies. So does a car up on blocks with its wheels gone.

Section 15-533 gives the city's reasons. The council found that stored wrecks tend "to reduce the value of private property, to promote blight and deterioration, to invite plundering."

How removal works

Under Section 15-544, the Ridgecrest city clerk gives notice "by registered mail, at least ten days prior to the date set for removal." The landowner shown on the last equalized assessment roll receives it. "Such notice shall contain a statement of the hearing rights of the owner of the property on which the vehicle or part thereof is located and of the owner of the vehicle." A property owner "may appear in person at a hearing or may present a sworn written statement denying responsibility for the presence of the vehicle on the land, with his reasons for such denial, in lieu of appearing."

Street and alley parking

Section 15-535 is plain: "No operator or owner shall park any vehicle upon any street or alley for more than 72 consecutive hours, unless a permit has been previously granted by the chief of police." A permit only issues when parking the car poses no traffic safety hazard. Anything left past the limit "may be towed and stored at the owner's expense, as authorized by law."

Signing it over in California

Ridgecrest titles go through the California DMV at state field offices or by mail. You sign the Certificate of Title, and any lender with a lien on record signs too. As for notarizing, the DMV's private-sale steps include none. A Ridgecrest seller sends REG 138 online or on paper within 5 days. Once DMV records it, tickets dated after the sale go to the buyer.

Desert cars bound for a dismantler are excused from smog testing. Plates usually stay with the vehicle, though recording it as Junk means turning them in. Registration that lapsed with no Planned Non-Operation on file leaves back fees and penalties for those years; car sitting for years covers that.

The nearest towns are a long drive

Ridgecrest sits far from every other town we cover. Measured in a straight line, Barstow is 63.2 miles away, Lancaster 70.8 and Bakersfield 79.6. Statewide rules are on the California page, and after you sell lists the final steps.

Getting an offer

Got a car to sell in Ridgecrest? Call (877) 421-6008 or send the offer form. The truck drives out to it, whether it sits at your home, in a storage lot or wherever it finally quit.