If you’re stuck with a vehicle you can’t register or legally drive due to missing title or registration documents, you’re not alone. At Luis Aguirre Law, we help California consumers resolve issues caused by dealerships and lenders who delay or mishandle the title transfer process. Our goal is to protect your rights, restore your ownership, and hold the responsible party accountable.
Did you buy a vehicle and never receive the registration or title?
At Luis Aguirre Law, we represent California consumers when dealerships or lenders fail to deliver registration or title documents after a vehicle purchase or loan payoff. If you are unable to register your vehicle or obtain legal title, we may be able to help you recover damages or cancel the transaction altogether.
Dealership and Lender Obligations
Under California law, dealerships must timely process registration documents through the Department of Motor Vehicles and provide the buyer with registration within a specific timeframe. When the vehicle is paid in full, lenders must issue the title or a release of interest within a limited number of business days. Failure to comply with these obligations may result in breach of contract and other legal liability. These delays can also affect the proper title transfer process, leaving buyers in legal limbo. These delays can also affect the proper title transfer process, leaving buyers in legal limbo.
What Does the Law Require?
Vehicle Code § 4456
Dealers must submit the required DMV application and fees within 30 days from the sale date if the vehicle is used, and within 20 days if the vehicle is new.
Vehicle Code § 5753
Lenders must deliver the vehicle title or release of interest within 15 business days after the loan is paid off in full.
Legal Remedies
If you did not receive the vehicle registration or title, you may have the right to pursue:
- Damages for breach of contract
- Statutory penalties
- Cancellation or rescission of the sale
- Compensation for related expenses or losses
- Legal action to compel title or registration
About Luis Aguirre
Luis Aguirre is a California attorney focused exclusively on car-related legal issues, including vehicle fraud, contract breaches, and title and registration disputes. Before founding his firm, he worked for a law firm that defended a major car manufacturer against lemon law claims—experience that now gives his clients a strategic edge. A U.S. Military veteran with over a decade of honorable service, he brings discipline, precision, and a deep commitment to every case. Fully fluent in Spanish and proudly rooted in working-class values, Luis handles each matter personally and keeps clients informed every step of the way.
Contact Us
If your dealership or lender failed to deliver the vehicle title or register the vehicle in your name, contact Luis Aguirre Law. We will evaluate your situation and help you enforce your rights under California law. Don’t attempt to settle car title or registration problems without aggressive legal help. Schedule a free consultation today with a California auto fraud attorney.
Call Us at (949) 342-61991
The information on this posting is for general information and/or educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or a guarantee on the outcome of a particular case. This publication may contain dramatization. This posting is intended for California consumers only. This posting is considered advertisement by Luis Aguirre Law, who is also responsible for its content. Viewing, reading, or receiving the information on this posting does not create an attorney-client relationship. We are not your attorneys until you sign a written contract with Luis Aguirre Law, and the contract is fully executed (signed by attorney). Although information on this posting is deemed accurate, information on this posting should not be acted or relied upon without first conducting an independent investigation and/or obtaining qualified legal counsel, or you do so at your own risk. Attorney is licensed in the state of California only. Attorney Luis Aguirre is bilingual and also speaks Spanish and will provide help in Spanish if you request it. Although attorney limits his practice to the particular field of breach of contract – lemon law, attorney is not a certified specialist in this particular field or any other field of law. See “Our Policies” tab for further details regarding our Privacy Policy, Disclaimer, and Attorney’s Fees.