Selling an inoperable or junk car in Lincoln

Garage, carport or a cover

The base rule in section 244-3: "No inoperable, disabled, unserviceable or dismantled motor vehicle, whether registered or unregistered, or trailer or bodies, engines, parts or accessories thereof, shall be parked or stored in any residential district, other than in a carport or completely enclosed garage."

A registration does not change anything; the rule covers registered and unregistered cars alike. The exception applies only when the property has no garage or carport at all. Then one such car may stay outside, covered and secured, with the plants around it kept trimmed.

A drivable car with no registration

Section 244-1 adds a separate limit: "No more than one unregistered motor vehicle in street-worthy condition shall be parked or stored on any property within any residential district." So a second spare car that runs but is off the road can be a violation too.

Ten days, then a tow

The enforcement sentence in section 244-1: "The violator shall have 10 days to respond to said violation, after which time the Zoning Officer shall cause said vehicle in violation of this chapter to be towed at the expense of the violator and shall assess a fine of $250 for the violation."

Business lots and the three-month line

On commercial and industrial land, section 244-5 allows inoperable vehicles only "completely within the confines of a commercial or industrial property" and only when tied to a permitted use there. Zoning section 260-32 adds that no junked car, truck or trailer may sit on residential property outside a completely enclosed building "in excess of three months."

Abandoned cars

When the Lincoln Police find an abandoned car, section 237-3 says they "shall cause the abandoned car to be towed, at the owner's expense," and notify the owner by regular mail and by registered letter, return receipt requested.

Title and plates

The state issues titles. We checked the DMV branch in Woonsocket at 2000 Diamond Hill Road; reach it at (401) 356-4031. It is about 7 miles as the crow flies, north of Lincoln's center. If the title is lost, the replacement comes through the DMV's Cranston location, and the wait can stretch to 90 days. The statute puts the duplicate fee at $50.00, and the DMV's own table lists $53.50. Plan around that wait.

For a car from 2001 or later, the seller signs on the back, the buyer signs underneath, and the odometer reading goes on too. Put the price and your home address on the bill of sale. Finish by cancelling the registration online. After the DMV confirms it, recycle the plates or destroy them.

Nearby

Central Falls is 3.4 miles away, North Providence 3.7, Cumberland 3.9 and Smithfield 4.2. See Rhode Island for state rules.

Getting an offer

Lincoln owners can call (877) 421-6008 or send the short offer form online. We can collect it from under its cover, in a carport, or where you work.