drg
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Post by drg on Jan 22, 2019 16:46:59 GMT -8
I went to the DMV this morning to register a 1955 Aljo(a) we just acquired (might be a 1954, not sure yet). In any case, I have the pink slip and other paperwork from previous owner. I had purchased a 1951 trailer plate with a 55 tag. I thought that would be correct. However, after the manager at the DMV made a phone call to HQ she said that since my camper is only 13 ft long, it is PTI (permanent trailer ID). So I only have to register it every 5 years. Great. But, she added, the plate I have is only for trailers above 16 ft in length, and I cannot assign it to our little Aljoa via the YOM process (because is says TLR on it). Here is the plate I had hoped to use: Now from the DMV site: The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will issue a (new) PTI license plate, if requested, and/or the PTI identification card (in lieu of a registration card). PTI owners may retain the trailer plate or special interest plate on the PTI trailer or place personalized plates on a PTI trailer. Sounds almost like you can just request a PTI card and then put whatever plate you like on the trailer. Am I reading that right? In which case I could use the plate above, just not mention it when registering? I am a little confused. Gustave
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 25, 2019 17:27:49 GMT -8
Legally you would be displaying a falsified plate if you were ever pulled over. When towing you MUST display the plate they give you unless you acquire a vanity plate for it. But when you are on display at a rally you can put what ever you want on it.
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 25, 2019 20:30:45 GMT -8
It was very hard for us to keep our original plate. The current PTI statute gives you a dedicated PTI plate. We had to send a letter to Sacramento and it took several appeals to get a PTI sticker which they don't issue anymore
Here's how my DMV process has gone to date.
1. We took our small camp trailer to the DMV office for PTI verification. 2. The helpful clerk, Karen, who has been doing PTI since it was introduced, took the measurements and submitted the Verification paperwork. 3. We submitted a “Statement of Facts” as we wanted to keep our vintage license plates. 4. The fully completed and correct Verification was rejected by Sacramento with no indication why. 5. Calls to the Sacramento registration office affirm that the paperwork as read by me over the phone is correct but they can do nothing as all the paperwork had been returned to me without any notes in my file. 6. The only solution presented is to resubmit, but I have little faith that it will be correctly processed a second submission. 7. I sent a complaint to the Head of the CA DMV and got no response 8. I Tweeted my complaint to the @ca_DMV and finally, after 5 messages back and forth got an email to the registration office where I sent my issue as listed above. 9. I got a very polite call from Jessica, the first competent DMV employee I've ever experienced. She had me resend my paperwork to her. 10. Just got a call from Jessica a week later, all approved, PTI title and registration in the mail back to me right now.
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drg
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Post by drg on Jan 26, 2019 18:11:59 GMT -8
Holy crap! What a debacle. Chapter 14 of the DMV registration procedures has this to say about PTI: It seems pretty clear that you can keep the "original" plate or use a personalized plate. We will see how things bear out for me at my next appointment at the DMV. Thanks guys for the responses. Gustave
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 27, 2019 7:32:57 GMT -8
Here is a tip for you for when you visit the DMV in CA. If you don't get the answers you want right off the bat then ask to see a supervisor. You see, the people who man the windows at the CA DMV only have two weeks training before they start work at the windows so they don't know most of the laws. Bring a printed copy of the page that holds the info above on it with you. I've done this and it works...
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Post by danrhodes on Jan 27, 2019 15:55:06 GMT -8
Yeah, the supervisor couldn't figure PTI out either. He got the oldest employee who knew how to do it and they both ended up on the phone for an hour talking to Sacramento. The problem was, we did everything right and Sacramento rejected it with zero recourse and we had to find the one competent employee to override it.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jan 27, 2019 17:53:57 GMT -8
Here is a tip for you for when you visit the DMV in CA. If you don't get the answers you want right off the bat then ask to see a supervisor. You see, the people who man the windows at the CA DMV only have two weeks training before they start work at the windows so they don't know most of the laws. Bring a printed copy of the page that holds the info above on it with you. I've done this and it works... Yeah, the supervisor couldn't figure PTI out either. He got the oldest employee who knew how to do it and they both ended up on the phone for an hour talking to Sacramento. The problem was, we did everything right and Sacramento rejected it with zero recourse and we had to find the one competent employee to override it. This is why I started using an outside service. The one I began using was owned and operated by a lady who had 30 years experience working for the DMV. No one down there questioned her when she walked in. They just give her what she wants and that's it.
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drg
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Post by drg on Feb 4, 2019 15:25:39 GMT -8
I went back to the DMV today to just do a regular PTI registration. I did try to convince the guy behind the counter that I could just use my YOM trailer plate as the PTI plate (see above). No go, he said I could only do that if the camper was already registered with that plate number. Not sure I agree, but I was tired of arguing. The guy offered to go ask his manager. At first I said don't bother, then he asked again and I said what the heck, go ask.
Surprisingly he came back and said yes, we can do it. He had with him a "traveling manager" who goes from office to office to assist. But they were talking about a YOM registration. From what I've read I am now pretty sure that is not possible. Nonetheless I figured I would play dumb and go along with it. Near the end the guy mentions that he has to mail everything to Sacramento for their approval. Ah yes, there's the rub.
We will see what happens. I'm not holding my breath. Probably I'll end up back at the DMV asking for the standard PTI registration.
Anyway, just wanted to post and update.
Gustave
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Feb 4, 2019 17:02:10 GMT -8
That is correct. They have to mail it all to Sacramento. It takes time. I've done it a few times with success. All they do is look at the recommendation by the DMV that mailed it and stamp it OK. It seems to be a needless process but it's what is done. Hang in there. It looks good. Always ask for a manager when you can't get what you want.
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Post by danrhodes on Feb 4, 2019 18:49:39 GMT -8
Had to do the same. They even rejected it in Sacramento and I had to find an internal contact to get it broken free
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drg
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Post by drg on Mar 22, 2019 18:18:04 GMT -8
Update. I guess I got lucky negotiating the wheels of bureaucracy. I received this in the mail today: Which corresponds to my vintage YOM trailer plate: I also received a PTI sticker and the little aluminum tags you use to display it. BTW - Has anyone ever read "The Death of Common Sense"? I am just finishing it and boy, it describes the DMV perfectly. All process, no-one to make a decision or take responsibility. Gustave
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Mar 22, 2019 19:22:09 GMT -8
I would just put that sticker on that plate. No cop in the world is even going to pull you over unless you are going 95 in the fast lane.
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Post by Teachndad on Jul 15, 2021 7:41:17 GMT -8
Gustave, I saw your most recent posts and remembered your name which brought me to this old thread. When you drove the trailer to the DMV for inspection, did you have to get a daily pass to tow it because it was unregistered? BTW, I don't see why a person couldn't place the PTI tag on something like this. I know this is a little late for Gustave, but maybe someone else with a really old vintage plate can do. This is called a registration tag tab. Cheers, Rod
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