Confused about receiving a temporary tag when trading in vehicle

[jerryrs]

So I'm a bit confused with how my car registration was handled on my new Tesla Model 3. I live in Florida and took delivery on 3/28/19 and traded in my Honda Accord. In every trade in I've ever participated in, the dealer does the correct paperwork and I simply move my old license tag to the new vehicle. Well in this case, I was given a temporary tag. I asked about it and they they had my old tag on file and I just need to get the paperwork in the mail then I can put my old plate on my Tesla. This just doesn't seem right to me. It feels like they just ordered a brand new tag for my car, which I do not want because I have a vanity plate.

So I'm not sure what to do, if anything. I reached out to the Delivery team and they said it should be fine, just wait on the paperwork. Should I:

• Just wait and see what happens (my temporary tag expires 4/27/19)
• Just go to my local MV Tag Agency and see if they can figure it out?
• Contact Tesla again (if so who? The local delivery folks don't seem too knowledgeable about this process)

FYI, I have a coworker who received his car from a different Tesla Center and they also gave him a temporary tag even though he had a plate to transfer. Hopefully someone out there has been through this and they can share some guidance.

Thanks!

 

[Needsdecaf]

Tesla is clueless about this and outsources this function to various third party providers.

Choose option B above, they should be able to transfer it for you (assume so, I'm in TX and they were able to).

You may need to front the registration fees and request a refund from Tesla. I specifically had Tesla not charge me these fees on my MVPA because I read the stories and knew I'd be waiting forever...so I just did it myself.

 

[Silicon Desert]

Why not just call your DMV and ask them. You know that not every state is the same. In Nevada, I found the process was easier than when I did it in California.

 

[jmaddr]

Nothing to worry about. I'm in the Tampa/Saint Pete area and had the same concerns. While I can't explain why they did it that way, it did go down as Tesla said it would. They give you a temporary license plate with a temporary registration certificate you put in your glovebox. That way, if pulled over, the temporary registration matches the temporary plate. About three weeks later I received the new registration in the mail which had my original license plate on it. I removed the paper plate, mounted my old license plate, threw out the temporary registration, and put the new registration in the glove box. All good.

 

[jmaddr]

BTW, I forgot to ask...they did give you your old plate, correct?

 

[solodogg]

Tesla doesn’t have the capability of printing registrations on the spot like most dealerships do, I believe that’s a service they have to pay for. When you purchased the car, you also paid for plate transfer fees, you will receive your new registration in the mail within a few weeks.

 

[jerryrs]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

jmaddr - I feel better knowing you are in Florida as well and went through the same scenario as me. Yes I still have my old plate, they instructed me to not put it on the car until I get the updated paperwork in the mail. I'll try to be a little more patient as I'm eager to put my Florida Panthers plate on. I suspect you may be a Lightning fan!

Yes I could try to call the DMV but I don't know how painful that would be and I didn't want to interrupt things if my paperwork was already on the right track.

 

[portopotti]

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

jmaddr - I feel better knowing you are in Florida as well and went through the same scenario as me. Yes I still have my old plate, they instructed me to not put it on the car until I get the updated paperwork in the mail. I'll try to be a little more patient as I'm eager to put my Florida Panthers plate on. I suspect you may be a Lightning fan!

Yes I could try to call the DMV but I don't know how painful that would be and I didn't want to interrupt things if my paperwork was already on the right track.

In FTL too and in a similar situation. I've been checking online through the Florida DMV title lookup by VIN.

 

[TiggerTime]

Same here in FL. Since you already paid Tesla for transferring of your Tag and registration just wait for it to come in the mail. Mine took about 2 weeks and I was good to go.

 

[ztuner]

same issue. i have 10 days left on my temp tag... hope i get it in time

 

[solodogg]

FYI...took delivery this morning in Orlando, and they were able to print a temporary registration on the spot and install my plates. Apparently they said this is very new to them.

 

[ztuner]

i called my delivery center concerned because i only have 5 days left and the sent me a new temp tag and reg to extend it tothe 17th of next month.

 

[jerryrs]

Their DMV processing is a hot mess. I've been checking online and don't see any updates so I'm doubtful they have sent any paperwork in so far. I took delivery on 3/29/19. They are going to send me another temporary tag as my currently one expires in 2 days. I can't see this being rocket science to figure out. Its almost worth it to go to DMV yourself and try to work it out to get it over with and avoid the aggravation.

 

[jerryrs]

Got another temporary tag from Fedex on Monday. Still waiting for my final registration paperwork so I can finally put my plate on.

 

[portopotti]

Sorry to hear that. I emailed the delivery center asking for an update since I was nervous it was going to expire soon (within 3 days). They replied the following day that it was sent fedex that day. Immediately checked DMV website and searched by VIN and it showed that the title had been processed that day. Received the tag that next day.

 

[jerryrs]

Sorry to hear that. I emailed the delivery center asking for an update since I was nervous it was going to expire soon (within 3 days). They replied the following day that it was sent fedex that day. Immediately checked DMV website and searched by VIN and it showed that the title had been processed that day. Received the tag that next day.

Where are you checking the status of your title/tag? I've been going to GoRenew but not sure that's the best place?

 

[portopotti]

Where are you checking the status of your title/tag? I've been going to GoRenew but not sure that's the best place?

Vehicle Information Check

Plug in your VIN and it'll show the title information (if it's been received / processed)

 

[jerryrs]

Vehicle Information Check

Plug in your VIN and it'll show the title information (if it's been received / processed)

Thanks portopotti! It looks like my title was issued yesterday so hopefully we're making progress!

 

[Federico]

I'm on the same boat, I got my Model 3 four weeks ago, my temporary tag was going to expire today but two days ago I went to my local Tesla Center (Coral Gables) and I got a 30 days extension. As far as I know they can only made 1 extension (60 days total).

Yesterday I decided to call Florida DMV and after long wait (40 minutes on hold), they told me they don't have anything yet and I need to contact my dealership (Tesla). I did by email and I was told my registration still in process with their DMV department and they are experiencing delays due to an unexpected increase of Tesla deliveries, a least they said they will process in the upcoming week, so my advice is call your local Center and ask about it.

In the mean time, I will need to keep renewing my temporary parking permit every week and use the guest entrance (I live in a gated community), which is a mess in the afternoon. My HOA can't provide me my RFID decal until I get my permanent TAG.

 

[spincel]

Not to bloat the forum so I will just ask on this topic: Who do you guys contact to get the temporary tag and will it be mailed automatically without contact anyone? My car will be coming from TX and I have heard several contradiction things about temp tag for home delivery in OK. Initially, my sale advisor said TX service center will be the one provide me with the temp tag and they will send it right after delivery. However, my delivery specialist said that the temp tag won't be send at all and I would have to wait for the actual registration packet. Contacted the gallery number and picked the option 4 for new delivery, the CS people said that the temp tag will not be sent at all due to the law in TX. So basically my car could be sitting in my garage for more than a week and I don't have other vehicle to go to work. If anyone in TX knows more on this, please give me some advice if I can somehow get the temp tag from TX in order to drive before the registration packet arrival.