Plates and registration in limbo after out-of-state purchase| Ask the DMV
Q: I purchased a car from an out-of-state dealer, who sent the registration paperwork to the RI DMV at the end of May. Since then, there's been no response; I have not received my plates or registration, nor have I received any other notifications.
I called the DMV's information number and worked my way through the phone tree, and ended up at a voice mailbox that said it would not record my message, but if I wanted to talk to the state's operator, press "0."
I used the DMV's web form, but haven't received a response. (I provided much more detailed information in my submission, including the car's VIN as well as my registration address.)
I have done out-of-state registration transfers myself, but a VIN check from my local police department has always been required. Is this true for registration requests initiated by out-of-state dealers? If so, I suppose that might explain the delay, but since I haven't received any communication about this matter, I can only speculate.
The dealer seems powerless to help, since (they say) they haven't been getting responses from the DMV, either.
How can I break this logjam and get my car registered?
— Rich S., North Kingstown
A: The DMV turnaround time for dealership sales at the Cranston DMV is seven to 14 business days from the date the paperwork is dropped off at the DMV and not the date of purchase of the vehicle.
Most dealerships drop off their paperwork daily, especially if the vehicle is being financed, and they pick up their completed paperwork on a daily basis.
Some dealerships do this less frequently, especially those that are out of state, but it really depends on the dealership.
Most of the out-of-state dealerships use a third party to deliver the paperwork to the DMV, and this adds on time, too, that the buyer is unaware of.
Also, if there is an issue with the registration paperwork (no insurance information, customer tax blocks, incomplete paperwork, etc.) and all the paperwork needs to be returned to the dealership, then it could double the time for a customer to get their registration certificate and license plates back from that dealership.
I checked with the office that handles dealership transactions, and your paperwork has not yet been received at the Cranston DMV. Please press the dealership for a tracking number so we can check our received mail files or ask them for a copy of the date-stamped form that we provide the dealership when paperwork is dropped off.
Chuck Hollis is assistant administrator of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Please email your questions to cars@providencejournal.com with “Ask the DMV” in the subject field.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Car's paperwork in limbo after out-of-state purchase | Ask the RI DMV
