Linn County reminder: Remove plates after selling your car

The Linn County Treasurer's Office and the Cedar Rapids Police Department would like to remind residents to remove the license plates from their vehicles after selling the vehicle. This is especially important now that traffic cameras are in place in Cedar Rapids and license plate numbers are used to mail violations to the vehicle's registered owner.

“Since the traffic cameras have been installed, we've received calls from people who received a ticket in the mail but say they've sold the vehicle and think they shouldn't have to pay the ticket,” said Sharon Gonzalez, Linn County Deputy Treasurer. “But unless they have turned the vehicle plates into our office or transferred the title, they are still the registered owner of the vehicle. The best way to avoid being in this situation is to remove the license plates after you sell your vehicle.”

If the seller will be replacing the vehicle within 30 days, the license plates may be kept to be used on the new vehicle. If the seller is not replacing the vehicle, they may be eligible for a refund on the license plates if the remaining amount is $10 or more. License plates can be returned to the Linn County Treasurer's Office temporary location at Linn County West, 2500 Edgewood Rd. SW in Cedar Rapids.

The Linn County Treasurer's Office has forms available to help sellers called “How to Sell Your Vehicle in Iowa” and “Bill of Sale.” The forms are available on the Treasurer's website at

www.linncounty.org/treasurer and clicking on “How To” and “Forms” respectively. The forms are also available at the Treasurer's Office.