Becareful with your registration papers

[cougar8000]

My bike, my car, and my wifes car registration was about to expire. I have found a paper from the state for bike and my car and got a renewal using an online method.

For what ever reason I could not find renewal papers for my wifes car. So, after work I went to DVM. Currency Exchange that I always used before, it was a block away and no wait time, closed. I give a girl registration papers that probably was two years old. She tells me that plates on this car was not renewed in 07 for 08 and now I am two years behind. :blink: I proceed to tell her that I just looked at the plates yesterday and it has sticker that says they will expire on 04-08, so tehre must be a problem with computer.

Problem was not with their computer. Problem was with Exchange not filling paper work with the state last year. Luckily we leave in a new era of cell phones capable of taking pictures. One call home and 2 minutes later I produced her an image showing the sticker that I have on the car.

I was able to walk away with just a slight shock. Now, since last April we have traveled in at least 3 states on the plates that would have came back as unregistered :dribble: At least one of those times my wife was alone with a kid. I would have gotten hell if she was pulled over. Lesson learned. Remove middle man.

 

[escapefjrtist]

I've never trusted using those third party renewal places. Something just always seemed wrong... But OTOH, I barely trust the USPS to get the letter there. So my motto, if you want it done right, do it yourself.

Glad you were able to get the renewal solved with no 'adverse' issues.

--G

 

[evilmedic13]

Definitely deal direct w/ SOS. It may suck, but if something goes awry, it helps to have the paper trail w/ them. Hell, they were the one that told me how,when aand who screwed up my original FJR's title, and helped me expedite the acquisition of my present FJR. They have definitely been more useful than other in my experiences w/ them.

 

[uctofeej]

Not surprising. My first car was "handed down" from my parents along with a vanity plates. When my Dad and I went to add my name to the title and renew the registration, the state said they had no record of that car being registered... ever. The customized plate was current at the time.

Point is, middle man or not, it can still happen.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Hopefully you won't see this as a thread hijack, but a related MVA word to be wiser after I got burned to the tune of about $1300 at our Maryland MVA.

I sold a bike to my brother and went to MVA to turn in the plate, which is mandatory here. After getting later and later for work, I dropped the plate on the stool behind the counter. It was seriously far and I don't think some passer-by would have been able to get the thing. Canceled the insurance on the bike and went on with life. My brother got called up to go to Iraq, so the bike sat in a garage for over a year. LONG after dropping off the plate I got a notice that I was operating a vehicle with no insurance, and a bill for a huge fine. When I produced the bill of sale, I was told that the bike was never registered in the other state and the MVA wouldn't accept the bill of sale since it was from a relative, so the bike could still be really in my possession.

Every vehicle since, I've gotten a receipt for the turning in the damn license plate and not canceled the insurance untilt he next day.