California DMV: Keep copies of EVERYTHING!
GordonMcComb
Posts: 3,366
Just got through six weeks of hell on earth with the California department of motor vehicles. Cutting to the chase, the moral is this: never pay cash at the DMV, avoid AAA's DMV services except for simple things, and keep copies of *everything*.
It turns out the DMV computers aren't good at cross-correlating the facts. They're mainly programmed to look for violations, such as operating a car that has a planned non-operating status. But it seems to not also check another database of temporary operating permits. My car had been PNO for several years, but brought into service last fall when my son-in-law needed something to take him to work. We obtained a temporary operating permit (lasts 60 days), during which he was driving to work and looking for a replacement catalytic converter so the car could be re-smogged. Only he got a fixit ticket (a rear brake light was out) during the time of the temporary permit. The DMV's computer "caught" us driving a car that was supposedly PNO, but never bothered to also see we had paid $127 in TOP fees and registration.
The car eventually broke down with a failed engine, and was junked at the first of the year.
In researching our case to protect ourselves, we realized we had little paperwork to go from. We did not keep a copy of the TOP, which you place in the rear windshield. Didn't think it was necessary, believing the DMV's computers had it. It does, but if you want your own proof, you have to pay them to make a copy for you. Save yourself the $5 to $20 *per document* retrieval by first making a copy of absolutely everything you get from them, before using or putting in the car.
Never, ever pay the DMV with cash. Write them a check, and when the check clears get a copy from your bank. Or use your ATM card if they accept it. Save the receipt. If it's an NCR receipt, make a copy onto plain paper, as NCR paper goes bad after a year.
Another tip: When selling or buying a car use their online title transfer page, and print a copy for your records. After five weeks the original we mailed to them still hadn't made it into their system. The online provided instantaneous feedback. The DMV never sends confirmations of anything. You only know when they haven't gotten something when you get hit with a bill, which invariably includes some ungodly penalty.
For my situation, it took a failed two hour call to DMV in Sacramento, and two trips to the very crowded and overworked local DMV office. The problem was finally resolved, and they reversed their collections process of close to $600. Yes, that's right: that's the re-registration fee and penalty after just two months for a junked '92 Toyota Tercel, whose regular registration fee is about $75 for the year.
And remember, these are "fees" for the privilege of driving in this state. Never call it a tax!
It turns out the DMV computers aren't good at cross-correlating the facts. They're mainly programmed to look for violations, such as operating a car that has a planned non-operating status. But it seems to not also check another database of temporary operating permits. My car had been PNO for several years, but brought into service last fall when my son-in-law needed something to take him to work. We obtained a temporary operating permit (lasts 60 days), during which he was driving to work and looking for a replacement catalytic converter so the car could be re-smogged. Only he got a fixit ticket (a rear brake light was out) during the time of the temporary permit. The DMV's computer "caught" us driving a car that was supposedly PNO, but never bothered to also see we had paid $127 in TOP fees and registration.
The car eventually broke down with a failed engine, and was junked at the first of the year.
In researching our case to protect ourselves, we realized we had little paperwork to go from. We did not keep a copy of the TOP, which you place in the rear windshield. Didn't think it was necessary, believing the DMV's computers had it. It does, but if you want your own proof, you have to pay them to make a copy for you. Save yourself the $5 to $20 *per document* retrieval by first making a copy of absolutely everything you get from them, before using or putting in the car.
Never, ever pay the DMV with cash. Write them a check, and when the check clears get a copy from your bank. Or use your ATM card if they accept it. Save the receipt. If it's an NCR receipt, make a copy onto plain paper, as NCR paper goes bad after a year.
Another tip: When selling or buying a car use their online title transfer page, and print a copy for your records. After five weeks the original we mailed to them still hadn't made it into their system. The online provided instantaneous feedback. The DMV never sends confirmations of anything. You only know when they haven't gotten something when you get hit with a bill, which invariably includes some ungodly penalty.
For my situation, it took a failed two hour call to DMV in Sacramento, and two trips to the very crowded and overworked local DMV office. The problem was finally resolved, and they reversed their collections process of close to $600. Yes, that's right: that's the re-registration fee and penalty after just two months for a junked '92 Toyota Tercel, whose regular registration fee is about $75 for the year.
And remember, these are "fees" for the privilege of driving in this state. Never call it a tax!
Comments
And thank you for holding back what you really wanted to say, after all, there are minors and school marms that read these hallowed forums.
I have battled bureaucracies for years over silly things... City, county, state governments. But I must say having to pay them, to make a copy of something, so you can then show it to them to prove your case.... Well that takes the cake!
And I can just imagine seeing the clerk sitting behind the desk telling you this - perfectly serious face, etc.
If someone told me that, I would start looking around for the hidden camera. Asking what TV show was playing this prank on me, etc.
Broke down? Failed engine?
Those aren't valid reasons for junking a car, you got off too easy!
I have all that plus oil leaks, smelly cabin heater, sloppy shifting, thrown fan belts, 4 carbs to sync, broken engine mount, rear wheel bearing failure + fire, and more.
I don't call that strife, I call it a long-term relationship. Nothing that can't be fixed someday.
A happy Corvair owner
You forgot Ralph Nader sitting outside your garage waiting for you to roll it out onto the road once more!
Since I had requested the final year tax forms by registered mail from Taiwan, I was able to get this sorted. But how many people ask for tax forms by registered mail?
Simply, the state has 38,000,000 people of which a lot are illegal aliens, naive newcomers, and so on. And finances have not been good for a long time.
It is so much easier to get a fair shake in Oregon with less than 8,000,000 people. Less population tend to get better results.
++++++++++
I wonder what California really might do if I visit and drive on my Taiwan driver's license. Consider the facts..
a. A valid Taiwan driver's license is okay to drive on in California by law..
b. The actual driver's license is all Chinese.
c. Taiwan has passed a law that I no longer am required to renew my license... so an expired Taiwan driver's license is a a valid Taiwan driver's license.
d. The Taiwan driver's license is all in Taiwanese years, not Christian era.
I suspect that it would be 'go to Jail, do not pass go, etc.'
AAA is great though they can't do everything. I myself have never had major issues though I learned the hard way NOT to wait on a Fix-It ticket.
Got to LOVE the Ralphinator!
http://jonathanrintels.com/2012/08/29/ralph-nader-risks-his-life-in-a-corvair
Watch out:
California is severely cash strapped, so for anything that they can do to bring in money, they will.
I would really like to see an investigation of this as it seems to be so systemic that it must come from the top down.
First hand from the company I work for... if you even sell and service machinery in that state, they can come up with some very, very clever taxes to demand.
That being said I still love the climate and natural beauty of the state and want to go back (as a tourist).
Enjoy!
Mike
You just described a NEW Corvair! Imagine what they're like 50 years later.
Nyuk, nyuk!
My Tercel was actually a pretty nice car before I gave it to my son-in-law. It took me to LA and back over 400 times, and already had 150K miles on it when I got it. The engine had zero leaks, even to the end. But I'm guessing the timing belt gave out -- that would best fit the description of the engine failure. Unless you work on these engine yourself, it just doesn't pay to fix cars this old with close to 240,000 miles on them. Of course Corvairs are different in this respect. Gotta give people something to laugh at during their morning commute...
Seriously, Ralph may have disliked the Corvair, but others like Tom McCahill loved it. There's no pleasing everybody.
I have done this several times. And they handle the paperwork to make sure the car is never to be revived on the DMV computer. Just be sure they give you paperwork on the transfer.
But the really neat trick is to negotiate a bit ahd have them pay for your first month bus pass. They will come of with the cash as long as it is less than $50 USD.
California? It almost sounds Crimean.
Excellent recall, my young Padawan! Racer Dan Gurney liked 'em too: http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/read.php?1,120262
And Jay Leno has at least one in his garage. http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/chevrolet/1966-chevrolet-corvair-corsa/index.shtml
http://www.flycorvair.com/
I am so sure about the popularity of the Ford Pinto...