Issue/Advice on Process of Registering a New Tacoma

Hi everyone.

I'm having an issue with registering a brand new Tacoma. I will detail the list of events below and would like some advice/input on the situation.

- I'm from Los Angeles, CA and flew out of state to purchase the vehicle to drive back to LA
- I was given a 21 day paper permit to drive the vehicle in California
- Reps at dealership said they would take care of all DMV paperwork and I should be receiving plates within a couple weeks
- Roughly two weeks later I receive a call from a rep at the dealership and was instructed I needed to get a smog check and weigh the car because it was crossing state lines
- Smog and weighing done within 48 hours and paperwork overnighted back to the dealership
- A couple days later I receive an email from a rep stating that the dealership forgot to inform me I need to get a VIN verification at the DMV and that the dealership will overnight me another paper permit because the original is expiring soon
- VIN verification done within 48 hours and paperwork overnighted to the dealership
- Two weeks later I still do not have plates and tags and the paper permit is expired
- I contact the dealership to see what the holdup with registration is
- Dealership informs me the DMV may be taking their time and to physically go to the DMV to inquire
- I reply asking them to inquire with the DMV on my behalf because that is what I believe I paid the dealership fees for upon purchase
- I get another reply saying I should physically go to the DMV myself

I'm not placing blame as of now as to who dropped the ball and who should do what. I'm merely asking for advice if anyone has had a similar experience or knowledge of what responsibilities lay with which parties.

Thanks.

 

Two options:

1. Go to the DMV yourself.

2. Keep waiting for the dealer to do it.

I'm not a smart man but my money is on option 1.

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I agree with you that if I want to get it done in a timely manner I should go myself. However, if I paid a party to complete the task on my behalf, that task should be done by that party.

Also, going to the DMV is always a shit show so I really want to avoid doing that. Haha.

 

The DMV sometimes likes to take their time. It may be that the DMV is sitting on the paperwork and the dealer has completed the task they are required to do. As a courtesy, the selling dealer should inquire on your behalf, but as we all know, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. This may be something you could call or even get online and see if there is an e-mail you could use instead of going to the DMV and burning up a whole day.

 

Prime reason why it doesn't pay to buy shit out of state if you live in CA

 

I'm in LA as well... I purchased my Tacoma here and it still took 3 weeks for my plates to come in. I'd say it's just the DMV being their usual slow selves. I'm not so sure going in would even accomplish anything. They may be able to give you some sort of extension at least.

 

Thanks for the replies guys and gals. I’m never going to buy out of state again. Lesson learned. Should have just went to Freeman (you get a free plug Freeman Toyota).

 

I brought several vehicles into California when I lived there for 20 years.

Every step you are having to take is correct, but sounds like a bunch of incompetents over at that dealership for not letting you know them in advance.

From what state are you bringing the truck?

 

Oregon. They told me they get many buyers from California.

 

It’s surprising that a dealer from a bordering state that claims to sell many vehicles in California would not know the steps.

Like others have already said, try to get a temporary extension.

Once you have satisfied all the requirements, your plates should take four weeks to arrive at most.

Good luck!

 

I’ve never purchased an out of state vehicle before. I was going based off of what the dealership was telling me, which was get the paperwork and send all docs back to them for filing. Live and learn I guess.

 

Yup, I’ll have to get a temp extension if I want to drive to vehicle. Thanks for the input.

 

I purchased my truck in Arizona. They forwarded the bill of laden to my local dmv in Los Angeles. Once the dmv received it, they let me know. I got a smog check and went and paid the remaining tax and got my plates. Super easy.