Doing Battle With the DMV

When I went up to the DMV in late June, I took along copies of my insurance card on the new(er) car, as well as the old one, and a the temporary title I’d gotten from the dealer. No big deal, and the tags were easily transferred from the 2001 Nissan to the 2016 car. I have a really easy number to remember, but the new Maryland tags are just a jumble of letters and digits.

Early in October I received a letter from the DMV telling my my plates had been suspended because I didn’t have proof of insurance for August 27th. Mind you, had a proof that the car was insured from June until this November, and August usually comes between those months, but That’s what the system said. Even the clerk couldn’t explain it. A call to The Squire, then a call to the insurance company, who sent over some electronic form, and that part was fixed.

“Oh, by the way, I never got a regular registration. All I have is this temporary one I got from the dealer.”

The clerk took another look at the computer, and told me they had never received the proper form. Rather than form #54400131, they had sent 52303283. I told her I didn’t want to be THAT customer, but when was DMV going to tell me this? She didn’t have an answer.

Once I got out to the car I spoke to The Squire again and asked him to call the auto dealer and see what happened. When I got back home, he told me the lady at the dealership insisted she had sent in the correct form, but she would handle it directly – and immediately. I should have my new title and registration, as well as my stickers for my car with ten business days.

My current stickers expire on Monday, and I’m supposed to start work. I’m gonna drive this car until the wheels fall off. I don’t think I can do this again!