Does every state's DMV fleece you?

[MGS_forgot_password]

I'd be mad that the state would suspend a license for something that's not a moving violation.

[mjgkramer]

I do not know about the DMV but our Texas Department of Transportation has a reputation for it. Here is what happened to one poor soul, an electrician if I recall correctly, who did not pay his tolls and ignored the bills:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/17/us/texas-u...violators/

(CNN) -- There may be a little bit of panic that sets in as you approach a toll booth and you realize you don't have any money on you. But apparently not for some people in Texas.

Take, for instance, a man and woman from Pflugerville. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, their vehicle has passed a toll booth without someone paying more than 14,000 times. Make that 14,358, to be exact. Well, through Wednesday.

And the state really, really wants them to pay their bill -- $236,026.32 -- for the unpaid tolls and fines (the fines always get you).

Texas gave the duo and other toll scofflaws until Wednesday to pay up or else. The else turns out to be the state publicly releasing the names of the people it says are the top 25 violators. Congratulations, Austin! All 25 are from your area.

Sixteen drivers owe more than $100,000, The state says all told it is owed $27 million from across the state -- at least 28,000 drivers owe more than $100 in unpaid tolls.

There is good news; Texas is willing to negotiate a settlement or give violators the option of a payment plan.

CNN affiliate KXAN reported officials said they have already sent letters and made phone calls to people in advance of Wednesday's deadline.

By the way, if you were wondering, if someone drove twice each day on a toll road without paying, it would take 19½ years to amass 14,000 violations.

Texas also says if violators are pulled over for a traffic violation, they can have their cars impounded.

[cbelt3]

Yes.

My state supposedly sent me a notice asking me to 'prove' that I had driver's insurance. Never got it. They then suspended my license. Want to know how I found out ?

I received a traffic ticket for speeding. My license came back suspended. My "Whaaaaa?" was enough for the officer to cut me a break and not ticket me for unlicensed operation AND impound the vehicle. Fortunately my wife was with me, so she was able to drive us home. Took me three days and $200 to get my license unsuspended. And that paperwork screwup on the part of the state then cost me $thousands in increased insurance cost.

Good luck.

[Wailer]

If your son signed for receipt of the violation, that usually should be good enough for them to justify not notifying you further. I'm not defending them, but what are they supposed to do if an adult signed that they agreed to appear in court or pay a violation? They shouldn't have to send further notification in the mail or call you or come to your door.

For parking tickets, they usually give you the "courtesy" of mailing you notice because they have no way of proving that you received your parking violation.

I do agree that all the fees are there to generate more revenue and are exorbitant. Take a bit of solace that if you do not subject yourself to these fees often that you are, if effect, paying less in taxes because others are paying these punitive fees thus negating the need to raise taxes for everyone. That's the theory anyway.

I was a "bury my head in the sand" adolescent too when I was younger. These types of lessons helped me realize that things don't go away and it's better to address stuff sooner than later. Not something that I always adhere to but I realize it nonetheless.

[rz]

I'm willing to bet he learned a pretty good lesson though.

[OWC Jamie]

reminder postcards for license renewal just got reinstated here this week.

http://www.massrmv.com/tabid/1609/ctl/de...l----.aspx

If you let it expire by even one day it is a hundred bucks for reinstatement after which you may pay to have it renewed - and yes, you have to wait in two separate lines each time.
dunno about suspensions, probably the same here.
The info is available inline on the WWW.

[graylocks]

Wailer wrote:
If your son signed for receipt of the violation, that usually should be good enough for them to justify not notifying you further. I'm not defending them, but what are they supposed to do if an adult signed that they agreed to appear in court or pay a violation? They shouldn't have to send further notification in the mail or call you or come to your door.

i agree as far as the ticket and court appearance goes but i think if things move to a new stage of suspension one should be informed.

[Wailer]

graylocks wrote:

i agree as far as the ticket and court appearance goes but i think if things move to a new stage of suspension one should be informed.

Agreed. But when additional revenue is the incentive, it doesn't surprise me that they don't give you any additional chances. It definitely seems like fees are much more punitive than they were 20-30 years ago. I'm staring at my property tax bill right; if I'm a day past Dec 10, the amount jumps by MORE than $800.

[DP]

I get my tabs online in MI. It's the Secretary of State's office-no DMV. But my wife got a new vehicle and we were fixing up her old car and got a temporary plate for it. But, guess what? I can't get a temporary plate online! So I have to go mingle with the great unwashed which I haven't done in years. I go in but now there is no Take-A-Number machine anymore and now, one has to stand in line to meet with an agent (one!) who asks why you're there and then gives you a number! Well, do you get a specific agent now depending on your request? Nope. So I asked, doesn't every agent need to know everything that needs to be dealt with here? Yes. Then why the hell... And, there are frail people who need to sit while waiting with no chairs except in the waiting area. Also, the line was out the door by the time I got done and it took me just under an hour!
To top it off, the TV's are playing the SecState channel with "quotes" by "real people" saying things like "Love the new SoS offices! Was in and out in three minutes!" Where were they-the Isle Royale office? Or was it the postman just dropping off mail?
I sent them a disgruntled email. Bet that won't show up on the TV...

[Michael]

The Georgia Dept of Driver's Services says that to get your license reinstated:

"Along with your payment, please enclose the "Official Notice of Suspension" sent by DDS. The "Official Notice of Suspension" includes the court name, disposition and violation date."

That certainly suggests that they are supposed to send a form.
http://www.dds.ga.gov/drivers/dldata.asp...1746571757&ty=dl


Here's a listing of the various forms that they use for various suspensions, etc.: http://www.dds.ga.gov/rules/rules.aspx?chap=375-3-3&rule=375-3-3-.06&head=375-3

It looks like he should have gotten a DS-2040. And now that you have taken care of it, he should get a DS-1020 or maybe a DS-1119.