Selling a junk or dead car in Winder

What Winder calls junked

The zoning definitions in Section 2-1 describe a junked vehicle as "Any motor vehicle which is either non-operable, dismantled, or does not bear a current state license plate." The definition lets a car off only "if said vehicle is stored within a completely enclosed building or on a bona fide sales lot and is in satisfactory operating condition."

So an expired plate alone can make a car junked under the definition, even if it still runs.

Section 15-186 also lists exceptions: a car or parts inside a building on private property, a car held by a business licensed by the city and run in the right zone, and an operable car built for drag strips or raceways.

Five days, then the police can tow

Once notice is given, Section 15-191 sets a "five-day period for compliance." If the problem is not fixed in that time and no hearing request is filed on time, the police department "shall have the right to take possession of the junked or abandoned vehicle and remove it from the premises." Getting in the way of that removal is unlawful.

Under Section 15-188, the car's owner and the owner or occupant of the land are all responsible for removal and liable for the city's expenses. "Expenses must be paid before the owner of the vehicle may reclaim the vehicle." Under Winder's Section 15-197, the owner can redeem it up until it is sold or destroyed. Bring ownership papers and cover the contractor's fee plus any fines, costs or fees.

Two street habits the code requires

When you leave a car parked on a Winder street, Section 15-155 says the ignition key must come out, and Section 15-154 says the engine must be off and the brakes set.

Barrow County tag office

We looked up the Barrow County Tax Commissioner office at 30 N. Broad Street, phone (770) 307-3106. That is under a mile northeast of the city's center, measured as the crow flies. Barrow falls outside Georgia's 13-county metro Atlanta emissions area.

Title and plate rules for a Barrow sale

Print and sign under Seller on the back of the original title, and enter the odometer in whole miles. Each joint owner signs too. Hand the buyer the title. Hold on to a copy of it and of any bill of sale. The buyer has 7 days to title and register at the County Tag Office, and a $10.00 penalty applies if no title application is made within 30 days.

Your plate does not go with the car. Barrow sellers then close the registration, by MV-18J form or the DRIVES e-Services portal, before touching the insurance. In Winder, a 1985 or older car needs only a bill of sale. For a replacement title, file Form MV-1 with $8.00.

Getting an offer

Ask through the form or dial (877) 421-6008 with the year, make, model, approximate miles, title status, and whether it cranks. The truck can meet the car at a house, a shop or a lot near downtown. Mulberry is 10.7 miles away; for statewide rules, see Georgia.