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How long can you drive a deceased person’s car?
It’s not something most people want to think about.
But you’ve inherited a vehicle from a loved one who has passed away.
You may be wondering how long you have until you need to:
The answer is not straightforward, and it depends on a variety of factors.
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of driving a deceased person’s car
Let’s dig in.
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How long you can drive a deceased person’s car depends on the state you’re in.
Generally, you have 30 days to transfer ownership to an heir.
Meaning that you have 30 days that you can drive a deceased person’s car.
After that, you are breaking the law and can face:
Read More: Is It Illegal To Drive A Car Registered To A Deceased Person?
If you get pulled over in a deceased person’s car, you should have:
Let’s say you:
You could face legal consequences for doing so. Here are some of the potential issues that may arise:
Here is a list of the penalties for driving a deceased person’s car by state.
They are the max penalties – not the standard ones.
You likely won’t go to jail for driving your grandma’s car the week after she dies.
(But just in case you do, I have to say that it’s possible.)
| State | Max Fines | Jail Time | License Suspension | Criminal Charges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Alaska | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Arizona | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Arkansas | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Colorado | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Connecticut | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Delaware | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| District of Columbia | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Florida | $1,000 | 60 Days | Up to 1 Year | Misdemeanor |
| Georgia | $5,000 | 1 Year | Up to 4 Years | Felony |
| Hawaii | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Idaho | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Illinois | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Indiana | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Iowa | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Kansas | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Kentucky | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Louisiana | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Maine | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Maryland | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Massachusetts | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Michigan | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Minnesota | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Mississippi | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Missouri | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Montana | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Nebraska | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Nevada | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| New Hampshire | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| New Jersey | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| New Mexico | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| New York | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| North Carolina | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| North Dakota | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Ohio | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Oklahoma | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Oregon | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Pennsylvania | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Rhode Island | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| South Carolina | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| South Dakota | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Tennessee | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Texas | $2,000 | 180 Days | Up to 2 Years | Felony |
| Utah | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Vermont | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Virginia | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Washington | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| West Virginia | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Wisconsin | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
| Wyoming | $500 | 30 Days | Up to 6 Months | Misdemeanor |
You need to figure out how to transfer ownership to the heir.
The following steps need to be taken to transfer ownership of the vehicle:
These steps may vary depending on your state’s laws and regulations.
It’s a good idea to contact:
They can ensure that you’re following the proper procedures.
These are questions our estate planning and probate clients ask us.
In most cases, you cannot legally drive your dad’s car if he has passed away.
The car would likely become part of your dad’s estate.
The executor of the estate would need to transfer ownership to you.
When someone with a financed car dies, the car loan still needs to get paid.
The car may need to be sold or repossessed to satisfy the outstanding loan.
Or the executor of the deceased person’s estate may be able to assume the loan.
They can continue making payments from the estate account.
When the owner of a vehicle dies, it becomes part of the decedent’s estate.
The vehicle may then be transferred to the estate’s rightful:
Or it could get sold to pay off any of the deceased person’s outstanding
The process varies by state.
And it depends on whether the deceased person had a will or trust.
If you’re driving a car registered to a deceased person, it is:
If you have possession of a deceased person’s car, fill out the form below.
We can get the title transferred to your name.
This way, you’re not breaking any laws and facing:
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