Why can't all of the DMV's be on the same page?

Question

I just moved over from MO to IL about 20 mins away. I want to register my car in IL, guess what they want a copy of my contract from when I first bought my car back in 04. I was in the military and had no problems in VA, NY, or even HI. The midwest makes it so freakin hard. In MO i had to go to emissions and watch my car go by for $10. It seems like every DMV wants something different.

Answer 1

Unfortunately the State, the county, the town or city all seem to have an input into vehicle ownership. They all have different rules and regulations and it makes it extremely difficult for the average person to move from state to state and get their car titled and registered. I think it should be Federal with only one way to do it. But I am sure if the Federal Government was involved they would want their share, and it would be even worse!!
each state has their own website for the Motor Vehicle, and there is a website that has all the states listed and their rules and regulations. I used to live in Mo., and the $10.00 fee if for a vin check and emissions. I live in NJ now and we have to get our cars inspected every year!! There is no charge if you take it to a state agency, but you wait in line forever!! You can take it to a certified garage, but they charge you a small fortune...which is worse?? Some states charge you property tax on your vehicle, others don't. Some states inspect their vehicles every year, others every 2 years, some don't inspect their vehicles at all. California is really tough on emissions...go figure!!

So unfortunately, each state has their own rules and regulations and each one of them are different. Isn't that the American way??!!!

Answer 2

Sounds like you could make a few dollars by starting your own 50 states DMV web page.

But in the future, I would advise you to keep all of your vehicle paper work in one place. Everything but your fuel reciepts.

I keep mine in a Classification Folder with 2 interior partitions. They look like the file folders you'd see at the doctor's office.

The 2 partitions cause the folder to have 6 'pockets' altogether.

My sections are as follows:

1: Taxes, Inspections, and Registrations. It holds all of that info for the time that I own the vehicle. It also holds the title.

2: Service Records. Any time I have any type of service done to the vehicle, I put the reciept in this section

3: Parts and General Info: This section houses the light bulb listings, the fluids to be used and quantities, like oil, tranny fluid, coolant. Makes it nice to have the info in one spot instead of trying to find it in the owners manual.

4: Purchased Parts: This sections contains the reciept for any repair or aftermarket part I've purchased like speakers, tires, hi-flow air filter, window tint, etc.

5: Warranty Info: This section contains a copy of the extended warranty for the vehicle and any warranty info for aftermarket parts that have been purchased.

6: Sales: This section contains the original sales receipts at the time of purchase.

I know this is alot of info to keep track of, but once you set up the folder, it becomes incredibly simple. And it makes finding info, especially if you have moved alot like I have, extremely easy.

In the meantime, register the car at your family's house. As long as you park it overnight at their home once every two weeks, they can't hound you.