Can dealers really get your plates faster?

turtlebud · 08-01-2006, 02:18 PM

So I heard that you can get your license plate number quicker through the dealer because they can check the DMV database to find if your car has been registered and get your plate numbers for you. Does anyone know how this works?

The reason I ask is because the dealership that I bought my prius at said that their program may not update every day so they might not be able to get me the plate number immediately after the vehicle is registered, but there might be some lag (don't know how long that lag is).

subarutoo · 08-01-2006, 03:14 PM

Why would you be in such a rush to get plates? I've never heard of such a thing.

Charles Suitt · 08-01-2006, 03:15 PM

<_< Don't know about CA, but in TX the Dealer sends their courier down with multiple license requests and it takes a few days to get the metal plates to replace the temporary paper tags. I would say I'd get the permanent plates quicker letting the Dealer handle it.

ScottY · 08-01-2006, 03:21 PM

That's what my $45 DMV fee is for. I got my plates the day I pick up my car. They do all the DMV paper work for me.

etyler88 · 08-01-2006, 03:28 PM

I had my car for at least two weeks before I got the plates. So be patient, that is what the temporary plate is for.

Tempus · 08-01-2006, 03:31 PM

I've seen it several ways.

If there is lead time before you pick up the car, the dealer can have the plates waiting along with registration.

The dealer can fill out the paperwork and the plates are mailed to you.

And in DC I can pick up the car, go to the DMV office and get the plates myself right on the spot, and not pay the dealer their 'registration fee'.

Just depends on if you want them to do it or if you're the do it yourself kind.

Or, I suppose, if you want specific vanity plates.

mikel 52 · 08-01-2006, 04:06 PM

I was really impressed when I bought my 2002 last month. I got the plates while I was at the dealership and they even put them on for me before I left the lot.

Betelgeuse · 08-01-2006, 04:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(subarutoo @ Aug 1 2006, 03:14 PM) [snapback]295814[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Why would you be in such a rush to get plates? I've never heard of such a thing.

[/b]

The CA folks are in a hurry to get plates so they can get their HOV-lane stickers before they run out. Ironic because, here in CT, they put the plates on the car when we bought it (and handed us the registration). I'm not totally sure how it works, but my guess is that they have a pile of license plates in the back room and they use some DMV-connected computer to associate the new VIN with the plates.

miwaku · 08-01-2006, 05:46 PM

Interesting. Here in Georgia, dealers charge a premium of about $200 for registration & plates. Instead, since I traded my old car in, I told them to leave it off, and when the registration went through I paid $22 to transfer my tag from the old car to the Prius.

Not that it matters, it was a vanity plate, but this process works for all plates in Georgia, and apparently some other states, as well.

mastergunnera8 · 08-01-2006, 07:10 PM

The dealer I bought from had an electronic link with the DMV...was very critical for me to get the Clean Fuel plates in VA before the deadline of 30 June 2006...drove off in less than an hour with permanent plates on the car...

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08-01-2006, 02:18 PM	#1
turtlebud Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 17 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	So I heard that you can get your license plate number quicker through the dealer because they can check the DMV database to find if your car has been registered and get your plate numbers for you. Does anyone know how this works? The reason I ask is because the dealership that I bought my prius at said that their program may not update every day so they might not be able to get me the plate number immediately after the vehicle is registered, but there might be some lag (don't know how long that lag is).

08-01-2006, 03:14 PM	#2
subarutoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 992 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Why would you be in such a rush to get plates? I've never heard of such a thing.

08-01-2006, 03:15 PM	#3
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	<_< Don't know about CA, but in TX the Dealer sends their courier down with multiple license requests and it takes a few days to get the metal plates to replace the temporary paper tags. I would say I'd get the permanent plates quicker letting the Dealer handle it.

08-01-2006, 03:21 PM	#4
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,243 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That's what my $45 DMV fee is for. I got my plates the day I pick up my car. They do all the DMV paper work for me.

08-01-2006, 03:28 PM	#5
etyler88 etyler88 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 443 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I had my car for at least two weeks before I got the plates. So be patient, that is what the temporary plate is for.

08-01-2006, 03:31 PM	#6
Tempus Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 1,693 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've seen it several ways. If there is lead time before you pick up the car, the dealer can have the plates waiting along with registration. The dealer can fill out the paperwork and the plates are mailed to you. And in DC I can pick up the car, go to the DMV office and get the plates myself right on the spot, and not pay the dealer their 'registration fee'. Just depends on if you want them to do it or if you're the do it yourself kind. Or, I suppose, if you want specific vanity plates.

08-01-2006, 04:06 PM	#7
mikel 52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 121 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I was really impressed when I bought my 2002 last month. I got the plates while I was at the dealership and they even put them on for me before I left the lot.

08-01-2006, 05:46 PM	#9
miwaku Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 70 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Interesting. Here in Georgia, dealers charge a premium of about $200 for registration & plates. Instead, since I traded my old car in, I told them to leave it off, and when the registration went through I paid $22 to transfer my tag from the old car to the Prius. Not that it matters, it was a vanity plate, but this process works for all plates in Georgia, and apparently some other states, as well.

08-01-2006, 07:10 PM	#10
mastergunnera8 Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 46 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The dealer I bought from had an electronic link with the DMV...was very critical for me to get the Clean Fuel plates in VA before the deadline of 30 June 2006...drove off in less than an hour with permanent plates on the car...