My local BMV is confused

"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre) 02/12/2019 at 15:50 • Filed to: None

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So, they now have a drive through. They have two signs letting you know. Well, the signs contradict each other in terms of both what you can do at the window and how you can pay.

Then there’s this sign right before the window.

They charge a $3.00 convenience fee to use the window. It’s not even a state fee; it’s specific to this branch.

Inside they’ve added an “express” line for new tags and  tag renewals. However, only one of the four employees was helping anyone in the express line so it was actually slower. One guy tried to take a number and wait for the regular counter, but when he got called they wouldn’t help him and made him get in the express line. The signs explaining the new procedures were marked on poster board and looked like a second grader had done them.

Chariotoflove > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 16:05

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So, do you get in line and once in only then find out that there’s an up-charge?

Can you mail in for renewals?

BigBlock440 > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 16:05

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Sounds like somebody’s trying to make a little extra cash.

Kiltedpadre > Chariotoflove 02/12/2019 at 16:11

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You can mail in for renewals, but the two times I’ve done it they have taken so long to process that I received the renewal after my old tags were expired.

That sign was the only one I saw that mentioned the extra fee. It was in a spot where it would’ve been easy for someone to miss too.

Kiltedpadre > BigBlock440 02/12/2019 at 16:14

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Exactly 

Chariotoflove > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 16:15

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Surprise! Love, your local government.

random001 > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 16:31

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Looks like the one on spring Hill...

Urambo Tauro > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 16:33

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I hope the sign is placed at the entrance of t he drive-thru line , and not where it can only be seen after waiting in line. Can you still bail out and park somewhere once you see the sign, or does its position leave you stuck with having to drive up to the window?

Kiltedpadre > Urambo Tauro 02/12/2019 at 16:42

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It’s a car length from the window itself. There aren’t any parking blocks or curbing so you could still pull out and park without any issue.

Kiltedpadre > random001 02/12/2019 at 16:43

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Centerville, Ohio on Spring Valley Road

Urambo Tauro > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 16:55

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A car-length f rom the window. Huh. Is it at least visible from the entrance before you waste any time idling in line?

Urambo Tauro > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 17:04

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The additional fee is NOT a state/BMV imposed fee.

I don’t understand this part. How are they able to charge that extra fee if it’s not a state/BMV requirement? I’m afraid I’m not familiar with the function of a Deputy Registrar; how does that play into this? Are your state’s BMVs state-run/state- funded branches or are they more like authorized third-party for-profit businesses?

I guess I’m just not used to see ing extra registration/licensing/etc fees that are not directly related to what the state requires. But I a m aware that DMVs/BMVs/SoSs vary from state to state. S ome even offer d river skills training courses (something only available in Michigan through a uthorized private companies ) . Is w hat’s going on here similar to that ? Some sort of business that has to  turn a profit on top of the fees that they’re collecting for the state?

Just Jeepin' > Urambo Tauro 02/12/2019 at 17:13

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Sounds like the Deputy Registrars are contractors who are responsible for many/most/all in-person B MV interactions. Sometimes the sites are provided by the B MV (but still run by the Deputy Registrars...I think). Sometimes the registrars are responsible for supplying them.

(This is all based on quick scanning of the Ohio website; it’s all a bit perplexing.)

https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dr-rfp.aspx

Kiltedpadre > Urambo Tauro 02/12/2019 at 17:30

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No, you can’t see it until after you pass a light post.

Urambo Tauro > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 17:39

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Ah . Yeah , that’s not cool.

Kiltedpadre > Urambo Tauro 02/12/2019 at 17:40

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Just Jeepin has it basically figured out. The Deputy Registrar is a contractor and not a state employee. They are payed a fee for each license and rage they process as well as for doing the eye exam you take to be allowed to renew your license.

They can also petition to be allowed to charge other fees as well. This drive through convenience fee is a new one. Most also charge a $2-3 processing fee if you pay by credit card. They also sell license plate hardware at a significant markup compared to hardware stores. I’ve also seen other install parking meters in the parking lots, and even a couple that will gladly charge you to  laminate your registration or social security card; even though the social security card says right on it that it’s not supposed to be laminated.

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin' 02/12/2019 at 18:09

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You are correct. They handle everything except for testing for new drivers and title transfers.

They get set fees for eye exams, registration stickers, issuing renewal licenses and state ids etc. The biggest payout is eye exams. They get $8.50 for each. They can petition to charge other “convenience fees.” This was a new one but fees to laminate documents  and expensive plate mounting hardware are some. They used to charge $2-3 to accept credit card payments, but the state is installing a new payment system that’s eliminating those as the computer systems are upgraded. I’m not sure if the full upgrade was done, but I didn’t see any mention of the fee at this location.

My grandfather uses a support cane to navigate because he is legally blind. They tried to get him to take the visual exam for a driver’s license when he came in for a state ID. They did it because they get the fee whether you pass or not.

Kiltedpadre > Urambo Tauro 02/12/2019 at 18:11

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It was very small too. I was one lane over from the lane and had to zoom in for that picture to be legible.

random001 > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 18:30

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I always call it spring Hill for some reason, but yeah, that's my BMV!

Kiltedpadre > random001 02/12/2019 at 20:07

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I’m less than two miles from there. 

random001 > Kiltedpadre 02/12/2019 at 20:11

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Nice!