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Returning vehicle plates to the DMV...insurance? — Brooklynian

Returning vehicle plates to the DMV...insurance?

carmen
carmen
edited November -1 in The Lounge / Random Stuff
So i soldmy car and I have to return my plates to the DMV. Geico has told me that I need to return the plates before I cancel my insurance but they don't actually *require* any reciept or anything. I basically just call and tell them.

they warned me that when my insurance is cancelled the DMV will "receive notification" that my insurance is cancelled and they might "come after" me if I havn't returned the plates yet.

My question is this: going to the DMV sucks so I want to mail back the plates, which takes potentially 2 weeks for them to verify that they got them. Do we, as brooklynian proper, feel like the DMV will *actually* "come after" me when the insurance is cancelled? Keep in mind the plates are not on a car so its not like I'll get pulled... every day that my insurance is active is a day I'm paying for it for no reason. Thoughts?

Before someone states the obvious "go into the dmv" I'm trying to avoid that at all costs for unrelated reasons (relating to having to take time off of my job.)

Comments

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    your buyer might not be able to register the car until the old plates are surrendered.

    ....which may cause him/her to call you.
  • carmen
    carmen
    Its in another state, I don't think it makes a difference. the DMV basically told me to sign over the title and make sure I got the plates off before i gave it to them.
  • whynot_31
    whynot_31
    how about mail them certified mail to DMV, then call insurance company the same day?
  • mougar
    mougar
    The short answer is you'll be fine if you cancel the insurance today and mail the plates in the next few days.
  • homeowner
    homeowner
    I personally have found that I have a much better time when I deal with DMV in person.

    Having said that, if you work in the city, I'd encourage you to go to the DMV either in lower Manhattan or at 34th Street. Both are far less crowded than the one here in Downtown Brooklyn (which is, I am convinced, one of the seven circles of hell) and for something like surrendering plates you should be out in well less than one hour. I've done several lunchtime transactions at both locations without drama.
  • carmen
    carmen
    I actually solely exist in Park Slope (meaning I work and live here) so commuting into the city is definitely out of the way, although it might be work it. But...atlantic center makes me want to shoot myself in the face so I'd really like to avoid that.

    I am looking forward to never having to deal with the NY DMV again
  • voodoonyc
    voodoonyc
    Mougar wrote: The short answer is you'll be fine if you cancel the insurance today and mail the plates in the next few days.
    This. Cancel the insurance and then deal with the plates. No one will come after you. Though It would make me really nervous to just send in the plates by regular mail without proof of receipt. It would suck big time if they got lost...
  • whyfi
    whyfi
    The DMV of any state is not looking to do any more work than they need to, this includes going after someone for a very minor offense. For god's sake, if you have a warrant out for your arrest because of $$$$ worth of unpaid parking tickets, they're still not going to 'go after' you - they're going to wait 'til the next time you get pulled over for running a light or something.

    In other words, don't worry about an historically unmotivated department finally getting their shit together just to be a pain in your ass.
  • puckhead
    puckhead

    Subject: returning plates to DMV

    you cant cancel the insurance unless you turn in the plates and give the insurance company the green reciept you'll get from DMV when you turn them in. you get 2 reciepts, one for you, one for the ins co. . otherwise, the ins co can keep billing you, even though the car is gone. they do it so jerks do get ins for a week, cancel, and then just keep driving the car. trust me, dont just let it go.
  • carmen
    carmen
    Geico told me I didn't have to produce anything...maybe I will down the line?
  • puckhead
    puckhead
    get something in writing from them saying the ins is cancelled. also, DMV can fine you something like 2-3 bucks a day for every day the car has no insurance. even if geico let you off the hook, DMV can stick it to you. turn in the plate, its the easiest, quickest thing to do at DMV. i've mailed in many a plate, just make sure you have the right address for dmv, and include yours for the reciept. send them with tracking.
  • king without a crown
    king without a crown
    I would defenitely not mail in plates to DMV. DMV is divided into several sections and the line for destroying plates is quite short. If you dont feel like waiting, you can pay some kid 20$ to do it for you. There are penalties for cancelling your insurance before surrendering your plates. I believe you can be fined by the day for every day your insurance is not in effect. Also you must fax or deliver the green reciept to the insurance company in order for them to cancel your insurance. DMV in Coney Island is not that terrible either.
  • mougar
    mougar
    The DMV can't fine you. If there's a gap between insurance and turning in plates, at some point they'll send you a letter requesting proof that you've sold the car or some other reason you no longer need insurance. If you fail to provide it within 10 days, they can suspend your registration. If you still fail to provide proof after 90 days, they can suspend your license and charge a reinstatement fee if you want it back.

    There is no daily fine for being uninsured. There is a daily fine if you want to re-register your car after it's been suspended for a lapse in coverage. Since Carmen sold it and is surrendering the plates, it's a non-issue.

    If you want to be extra safe, you could wait a day after you mail the plates to cancel the insurance since the DMV uses the postmark date to determine when the plates have been surrendered.
  • puckhead
    puckhead
    they can fine you, i've seen it happen. forget what i say, forget what they say. play it safe, turn in the plates, get a receipt and call it a day. like i said, and another poster agreed, turning in plates at DMV is the fastest transaction they have .
  • mougar
    mougar
    But don't take my word for it
  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior
    take it in person, sucks but better than any trouble down the road. almost best times to goto dmv is in sheepsheadbay around a hour before closing almost no lines :).
  • stooplady
    stooplady

    Subject: DMV

    :? Oh for Pete's sake...you are spending all this time yadayadayda and you could be going to the DMV. I would never mail or even FedEx something like this. I would call them, get the locations, make sure the locations are open and then get there very early...OR...just resign myself and take something to read and listen to. Look at all the agitation your mind and body are going through!!! Love yourself and go tomorrow.
  • toadette
    toadette
    If you decide to make the DMV trek - I second the recommendation for the lower Manhattan DMV. I don't think I've ever waited more than 30 mins there, and that was for more popular services like licenses. The peak times there are, from what I've seen, Monday morning and lunchtime. It'll be relatively painless.
  • whyfi
    whyfi
    Mougar wrote: But don't take my word for it
    Thanks LeVar!
  • carmen
    carmen

    Subject: Re: DMV

    StoopLady wrote: :? Oh for Pete's sake...you are spending all this time yadayadayda and you could be going to the DMV. I would never mail or even FedEx something like this. I would call them, get the locations, make sure the locations are open and then get there very early...OR...just resign myself and take something to read and listen to. Look at all the agitation your mind and body are going through!!! Love yourself and go tomorrow.

    I'm not agitated. This thread is informative and much easier than going to the dmv.
  • brooklynjack
    brooklynjack
    Plus you can eat breakfast at the same time
  • new2hood
    new2hood
    the line for turning in your plates wasn't very long for me at all. And, I got money back from NYS for some reason. It was a shockingly not painful process.
  • carmen
    carmen
    called geico, the first dude was full of lies and I do need that slip.I think I'll hit the fin-district office tomorrow at lunchtime, its closer via train than coney island
  • stacey
    stacey
    I work 2 blocks from there so if you want to grab a quick drink and lunch I am your gal
  • carmen
    carmen
    oo good to know! Unfortunately I'll probably be running in and out to get back (sort of) on my lunch break or before work.
  • stacey
    stacey
    Will they let someone besides yourself drop them off? If so I can do it for you.
  • flyinglimegreen
    flyinglimegreen
    Go to the DMV at Herald Sq. Time it so you're there when it first opens. The line will be wrapped around the block, but they're pretty efficient. I showed up as they were opening and they had me out in 15 minutes. I was prob, person number 50 or so in line when I got there.
  • carnivore
    carnivore
    flyinglimegreen wrote: Go to the DMV at Herald Sq. Time it so you're there when it first opens. The line will be wrapped around the block, but they're pretty efficient. I showed up as they were opening and they had me out in 15 minutes. I was prob, person number 50 or so in line when I got there.
    That sounds like you'd be better off showing up about 15-20 minutes AFTER they open, so they have time to decompress the line of people who were waiting when they opened. :wink:
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