DMV: "We don't make mistakes"

Editor's Note:
Ellen Nathan of Encino, Ca. was on my Worldwide Troubleshooter Talk Show on www.AdviceRadio.com� She was seeking help with the California Department of Motor Vehicles in registering a used motor scooter.� She has been trying for some time.� Here is the timeline of here battle with the DMV.� She says a mistake and a typo is making the computer reject the title. When she brought this to the attention of a DMV clerk, the clerk said the DMV does not make mistakes.

The Vehicle is a Honda Elite 150 Here is the start of her nightmare.� May of 1992 - The motor scooter was purchased by my brother.
1997 � The motor scooter stopped working and was garaged
2003 � I decided to fix the scooter and ride it to school to save gas.
July, 25 2003 � I took the ORIGINAL Title paper to the DMV around mid 2003, and I was informed that the scooter had been �junked out� by a company called Pick-a-Part in Monrovia.� I told the person at the DMV that it was impossible that this could be true since I had possession of the scooter the entire time.� I even had the original title, so how could the motor scooter be sold to a company that ONLY takes cars?� The person at the DMV said that I would need a letter from Pick-a-Part stating that they never had possession of the scooter and that there was some mistake.� Also, I would have to have the vehicle inspected to prove that all parts (the engine, chasse, and frame) were original.� I paid back fees estimated at that time.� $132.00

October 29, 2003 � A letter was generated by the DMV with a typo (the license plate number was one number off) The letter stated that I would need a letter from Pick-a-Part and then they would change the title back from salvage to OK.
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December 2, 2003 � The first letter from Pick-a-Part was sent to me.� I sent the letter in to the DMV.

December 2003 � I called the DMV, (after 1 hour and 45 minutes the phone finally went to a person) and the woman at the other end of the phone said that the letter had a typo and I had to start the whole process over again!� I was irritated at the prospect of starting over again.� I also asked how could this mistake happen (referring to the title going to salvage) and she said that it was unlikely it was a mistake because ��the DMV doesn�t make those kinds of mistakes.�� She was very rude to me and hung up on me.
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2004 � Since I had not heard from the DMV, I decided to go to the local office in person.� Every time I went I heard a different story, and every time I went they took photo copies of what I had and sent it in.� They informed me that this is the only way to find out what is going on with my case.� After I went several times to the DMV, and was informed that the first letter from Pick-a-Part was no good, and that I needed an official letter (what ever that was) from them.� I asked what was unofficial about the first letter, and they said since it had been faxed that made it invalid.� I needed a letter on letter head and with an original signature.
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2004 � I took the Scooter to be inspected by the DMV, their findings were that it was indeed all original and said that they would forward the inspection report to Sacramento.

September 8, 2004 � I went to the DMV and asked what was going on.� They took photo copies, gave me a temporary registration and told me to wait�. again.� They also took the liberty of charging me for registration fees in the amount of $61.00, they also informed me that if I loose any of the receipts for the monies paid, then there would be no record of the transaction.� When asked why, they explained to me that the money paid toward the scooter was going into a suspense account, and that it was not being applied to the scooter or to any account referencing my name.
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September 14, 2004 � A letter with this date arrives in the mail from Pick-a-Part.� They also gave me some other DMV forms with it, hoping that this time there was enough proof to reinstate the title.� I asked for two originals (I knew that the DMV would take my original, so I wanted a backup)� The DMV told me that it would take 90 days to find out anything.� They have a 90 day waiting period between anything.� I think it is so you will get frustrated or forget and leave them alone�

2005 � I went to the DMV several times, the temporary registration that they give me is only good for 2 months so I had to go in order to drive the scooter.
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September 23, 2005 � I went to the DMV asking about the scooter and why the registration had not been issued.� They told me that it needed to be re-inspected.� I made an appointment and took it in a few weeks later.� After inspection, I talked to the manager of registration at the Van Nuys office, they took photo copies of my paperwork and told me that they would contact Sacramento.� I also paid fees that they estimated were due in the amount of $56.00.

2006 � I went to the DMV several times and the same thing happens, they take photo copies and say that they will contact Sacramento.

� I have lost count as to how many times that I have went to the Van Nuys office.� The manager knows me on sight, and talks to me when I come.� She is very friendly and apologetic.� I don�t know what to do at this point.� I don�t understand why this process has dragged out this long.� I have done everything asked of me and more.

During the time that I drove the scooter every day, I was at the DMV every 2 months.� And each time they took photo copies, promised to fix the problem and issued me a temporary registration sticker good for 60 days.� I did this until I bought a motorcycle in 2005.� I would like to have a clean title for the scooter.

It is October 2006 and Ellen still does not have a clean title.

Filed October 17, 2006