Can my dad report my car stolen?

He can report it, that’s just a phone call, but if the car is truly yours, he’d be making a criminal complaint and if he does that and knows it’s not true, that’s a crime in itself.

If he does report it and you’re driving it, you might get pulled over, and the police may impound the car if you’re not on the title or registration at all. They could also get everyone involved together and go from there, but don’t always want to get personally involved.

If you’ve paid him for the car, you should get the title in your name and make sure it’s registered in your name. Also make sure you’ve got your own insurance for the vehicle. If that’s not possible, then you don’t own the vehicle yet, legally speaking.

I’d try to settle it with your dad before it comes to that. It’s luck of the draw when you get the police involved, and then they’re in charge. It doesn’t always go the way either side wants it to.

Yes, he can report it stolen. His name is on the title.
It would become a your word against his as to ownership for you paying for it.
Some states require the owner to be 21 or above for ownership of vehicle.

If his name is on the title then legally it’s his property, not yours (even if you did pay for it) and yes, he can report it as stolen. I’m curious as to what makes you think he would?

I don’t understand. Is your father trying to get the car back from you?

The police could add your car to their list of stolen cars, and in many areas in the USA there are computerized license plate readers hooked up to the network. That or patrol cars may spot your car. Police may try to detain you for car theft, which can be quite dangerous for you. People have gotten their children killed by the police by doing this.

And he could also get himself into other kinds of trouble if he makes a materially false report.

He wouldn’t let me drive my car to work so I took it anyways and I’ve been driving it this whole weekend no accidents, no tickets, no towing, or anything like that and he came into my school telling me he wants me to go to the dmv with him to switch the title and put it under my name but he wanted me to give him the car then and there or else he’s report it stolen and I said I need it to get home and he tried to take my keys and I told him I put the car in a garage and didn’t have the keys so he wouldn’t take it now he texted me saying he reported it stolen

Be ready for “RedLights” in the rear-view mirror.
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Keep your hands on the wheel, don’t reach for anything while being pulled over. Stay in the vehicle and follow all Police instructions.

Chances are, your father is going to get in trouble for this. Do you think he’d let it go as far as getting you arrested and going to trial?
Why is he acting this way about the car?

All this because he wants the title out of his name? A bit extreme. Call him and ask him if he has really done it and why.

You’ll need to get insurance on the car in your name, the car once the title is transferred.

The police aren’t there to help parents with their authority problems.

And when you’re 18, you’re an adult in the eyes of the law.

So is your dad, but it sounds like he’s acting like a childish fool.

I would phone the police, explain and ask if your dad actually did that and what they suggest you do about it.

“The police aren’t there to help parents with their authority problems.”

But they are there to recover stolen vehicles, which, legally, this is (assuming the veracity of TC’s posts).

Ha! The police in this town help with authority problems! It’s so great.

I think calling the police and giving his side of it, and asking what to do about it, would be a good move.