Problem purchasing car when on registry.
Over the past six months we received reports from three unrelated members who have experienced problems when purchasing cars. We originally thought it was unrelated to the registry, but with it now being THREE concerns brought to our attention, we need to determine if there’s something more to it and whether something can be done. Please reply in the comments if anything similar has happened to you.
Complaint One:
I am a registered sex offender in the state of Florida. Over the weekend I want to purchase a car and signed all the paperwork. Payment was made and all that was left was to receive the tags for the vehicle. Then I was informed the DMV delayed issuance of my temporary tags due to my status. I’ve never heard of this, so today I called around and the three reps from the DMV and three attorneys I spoke to all mentioned never having heard of any such rule. What can I do in this situation? I’ve already made a deposit on the vehicle and the dealership is mentioning my status as the reason my tags are delayed.
Complaint Two:
Hello. I am not sure if this is something relevant to share, but I just purchased a new vehicle and while going through that process, their computer system was blocked and prevented the sales of the car. I am a registered sex offender but the program they use had me labeled as a Sexual Predator. This was so very humiliating to go through. But then the sales/financial guy asked me to call the relevant government agencies to figure out how to remove the block. The following day I spent a long time making calls trying to figure out how to remove that block from the Honda Dealership. No one knew what I was talking about since the block had been put in place by the dealership themselves in conjunction with the DMV. I am only sharing this in the hopes that if anyone has the opportunity to purchase a new car that they be made aware of this horrible thing.
Complaint Three:
Yesterday, Sunday March 22, 2021 I went to lease a vehicle from Delray Hyundai. I made a deal, qualified for the lease, and all seemed perfect. After waiting for ½ hr. the salesman asked me to come to the finance office. While there I was informed that they were not able to register the car in my name and transfer my tags to the new vehicle. I asked why and was told that the “system” denied me since I had a “sexual charge” on my record. They even told me at this point that they could not register the car in my wife’s name as she was on the original application. I checked with FDLE in Tallahassee and was told that there is no regulation or law preventing me from owning and registering a car in my name and my only obligation was to report the vehicle change. As of this morning, there is no solution yet to the issue.
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Two years ago I had a car that broke down and I ended up getting rid of it and turning in the tag and the DMV gave me a credit for them for when I needed a new tag. Covid came along and I didn’t bother getting a new car because I was working from home. Last month I purchased a car from a dealer in Sumter County, I live in lake County. My new tag arrived 5 days later in the mail, no problems or anything.
I suspect many dealers by now have experienced the issue. Rather than confront you with it and possibly lose the sale, they use an alternate manual method. There has to be a manual with forms in case the systems are down; then they deliver those forms to the DMV in person (old school method before the DMV online systems existed)
One more thought about this.
My wife purchased a car without having a tag from a trade in. The dealer had permanent tags on hand and that was her new permanent tag. There was no temporary tag issued. The fact that they gave you a temporary tag and you got the tags later in the mail is a sign that they could not issue you the permanent tag themselves with the online system.
I have noticed that over at least the last 10 years I have not seen as many temporary tags on the road as I used to; I didn’t think about it until now. Dealers can and do register permanent tags at delivery (at least if nothing stands in their way).
I believe it is because you cannot register the car on line. It has to be done in person. DMV puts a block on the on-line registering of automobiles.
This is the second year I could not register my car or motorcycle online, I registered my wife’s under her name but I am listed on the tittle as well and as first person. We bought the car 3 years ago and my credit is the one the used and approved. I had no problems as we had a tag to transfer. I have to make an appointment again to go out of my way and take a day off from work, I will find out this week why.
I renewed tag online for my vehicle as well as my trailer, just recently.. and had no issues doing it online.
Barbara, now that makes more sense. I know on my drivers license I have to make sure the classification of my offense has to be listed on the very bottom. I believe it is to alert the police etc. So perhaps doing this in person may be required. But you would think that is only for drivers license renewal not registration for a vehicle.
I think I know what is going on here.
Car dealers are using the same DMV website that citizens also use.
First, forget the new car deal. If you already own a car and it is registered in your name and you try renew the registration on DMV’s website, it rejects it and says you can’t do it. So you must either mail it or go physically to the DMV.
With a car in my wife’s name, no problem, she can renew her car online, car in my name or both our names, can’t renew on DMV’s website.
The same with a driver’s license. Non-RSO’s can renew their license online and get a sticker for it. If an RSO tries to do the renewal online they reject it, and the RSO must go in and get picture taken.
Remember, before the in person registration came to be in 2006, if there was a change in address you had to go to the DMV and change your license (and FDLE picked up a new photo). That was the only way the FDLE got the data. I am not sure exactly when vehicle information went online on the FDLE site, but what was on the website prior to in-person reporting was pulled data from the DMV. It was not until later that they made it part of in person reporting.
Having to report to the DMV for license renewal and address changes is a vestige of the original law. It should be removed as it is redundant with later implemented in person reporting. But I don’t think you will see any RSO law repealed for anything anytime soon (or ever).
So since the DMV has a lock on all RSO online car (and license) registrations then when the dealer tries to register the car in your name online, it is rejected. They will either have to go to the DMV in person, or mail it. The state is also working on getting away from paper car titles and are moving them to electronic titles. This is all something that can be set up for non-so’s online by the dealer.
So, to purchase a car you will have to identify yourself as a registrant and hope the dealer doesn’t sabotage your new vehicle.
The root cause is that the DMV is blocking all RSO’s online transactions.
“So since the DMV has a lock on all RSO online car (and license) registrations then when the dealer tries to register the car in your name online, it is rejected.”
I’m unsure how you obtained this information. I respectfully disagree. I have had zero issues with purchasing a car from a dealership and zero issues renewing my tags online.
“So, to purchase a car you will have to identify yourself as a registrant and hope the dealer doesn’t sabotage your new vehicle.”
Absolutely, not.
I have had no issues purchasing the last eight new cars I have got, I went to trade in my truck today and they gave me a the comment they can’t register my car because of my background, it makes no sense, 8 cars no issues this one issue makes not a lick of sense
I have bought multiple cars and houses and loans and have never once had to deal with this to this date. I am sorry for the ones that this has happened to but it honestly sounds like vindictive dealerships.
All my vehicles are listed with my wifes name first, state of Florida see the first name on title as the owner, my name is last, with an (or) in the middle, so if something happens to me, she can sell it, or vice versa….
If you put an (and) in the middle both people have to sign to sell, in case of death, you have to have a power of attorney to sign for the deceased owner..
On my white paper, im listed as a driver, but not the owner of the vehicles.
All tags and insurance notices come on my wife’s birth date…
If you buy a car or whatever, you could put your family or a trusted friend names first, just in case anything happens to you…
Im sure this is not the ideal thing for most people who are RSO’s, but it works for us…
this is nothing new, I emailed FAC in 2016 telling them the same experience that i had, bought 3 cars that year, and a couple since, all the same story, cant swap your tags or give you a temp, Florida DMV has you on ” a hold “
So what did you do about it to move the purchases forward.
Justice,
i had to wait till the next business day to get tags / take possession .