Electronic Temporary
Tag Registration (ETR)
Questions and Answers
Provided by the
1-800-237-0448 www.FIADA.com
NOTE:
The responses to these questions were accurate at the time of
printing. However, DMV may change the
process at any time without prior notice.
This document was updated on July 9, 2008
The question
and response regarding the charging of fees appears at the bottom of this
document.
Q What
is ETR?
A A
Q What equipment do I need?
A A dealer will need a computer, an inexpensive laser printer (check with
your vendor before purchasing one to ensure compatibility), and access to the
internet using high speed service; such as cable broadband or DSL. Dial up
service may work but check with your provider.
Q Do I need any type of service provider?
A Yes. There are currently four companies that are certified by DMV to provide the ETR access through your computer. They provide the access and security that is necessary to enter into the DMV’s data center. These companies will provide you with the blank temporary tags. (see below for a list of FIADA’s associate members who are approved service providers)
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AutoData Direct CVR Title Technologies, Inc. |
Q Will I still have to pay the $2.00
state fee?
A Yes. That fee will be paid directly to the certified service provider
who will be charged the fee by DMV when a temporary tag number is assigned and
printed by a dealer.
Q Will there be any other fees?
A Yes. The certified service providers will charge their own processing
fee per temporary tag. There may also be shipping fees to send blank temporary
tag stock to dealers. Some may charge a sign up fee or a monthly service fee.
You are encouraged to speak with all the certified service providers to find
out what their fees are. Some providers may provide some additional services,
such as tag fee calculator or vehicle inquiry. Additional fees will be charged
for that service.
Q When does this all start?
A July 1, 2008. All temporary tags issued beginning July 1, 2008 must be
processed through the ETR system. It is mandatory.
Q What do I do with any left over
preprinted paper temporary tags that I currently have?
A Those tags can be saved indefinitely and used at a later date if the ETR
system is down at the State level, or the certified service provider’s system
is down, or your internet provider (ISP) is down. In those cases, you can issue the old style
paper tag manually. Once the system is back on-line, you will have to report
the temporary tag information within one business day (excluding weekends and
holidays), through your provider.
Q If I issue a preprinted temporary tag
when the system is down, do I have to complete any forms?
A Yes. You must complete the newly
created DMV Form 82082 (Off-Line Issuance of a Pre-Printed Temporary License
Plate) and keep it in your deal jacket for 5 years. You must also maintain a temporary tag log
for temporary tags issued off-line.
Q If I have a large supply of current
paper tags, can I get a refund?
A No. There will be no refunds
Q When I run out of preprinted temporary
tags, where can I buy more?
A You may continue to purchase preprinted temporary tags at the tax
collector/tag office. However, you will
be limited to purchase only 25 temporary tags at one time.
Q How long does it take for the new
system to work?
A Once you log on to your service provider and enter the required
information, the registration is sent to DMV immediately and is available to
law enforcement.
Q What if my computer or printer is
malfunctioning, can I print these tags from a different computer or from
another location?
A Yes, as long as you have your provider log on ID, and you bring your
blank temporary tag stock, you may print these tags from any other computer
attached to a laser printer.
Q Can I put these new tags in the rear
window of a vehicle?
A No. The new law also does away with allowing temporary tags to be placed
in a rear window. All temporary tags
must be attached to the license plate bracket. Because the new tags are printed
on specially designed paper that can withstand the elements; rain, sun, etc.,
the tags will last well beyond 30 days.
Q If I choose not to issue temporary
tags, do I still have to sign up for ETR?
A No. You only have to sign up if you intend to issue temporary tags.
Q What if I only sell a couple of cars
each month, is there another alternative?
A If you only sell a couple of cars each month and you are willing to go
to the tax collector/tag office, you may bring the completed and signed (by
customer) Application for Temporary Tag to that office, at which time the tag
office will issue the tag for your customer’s vehicle.
Q Does this new system change the way I
process titles?
A No, nothing changes with title processing.
Q If there is a stop on the customer’s
driver license or registration, will it keep me from issuing a temporary tag to
that customer?
A No. Administrative stops will not
prevent you from issuing temporary tags either online or off-line.
Q If a customer has a tag to transfer, do
I have to issue a temporary tag?
A No. Nothing changes when a customer has a metal tag to transfer. That
process is the same.
Q What if a tag is printed wrong, like
upside down or the paper jams?
A The certified service providers have procedures for you to follow that
will allow you to void the tag.
Q If I don’t sign up now, and I decide to
do it later, can I?
A Yes, you will be able to sign up anytime. Dealers are encouraged to sign
up as soon as possible to be ready for July 1, 2008. If a dealer waits, and
cannot get signed up in time, they will not be able to issue temporary tags
after June 30, 2008.
Q Do I still need to get proof of
insurance from a customer under this new system?
A Yes. You will obtain the same proof of insurance that you have been
required to record. You will enter the
information on the screen that asks for that information.
Q May I issue a temp tag under this new
system to an out of state customer?
A Yes. You may still issue a temporary tag to out-of-state customers so
they could drive their vehicles home. Make sure the customer has insurance from
their home state.
Q Will I still have to maintain a temp
tag log?
A Not for tags issued from the new ETR system. The system can
automatically generate your temp tag log whenever you need it. When you issue a
tag off-line using the old manual process you will have to create a log. Once
you enter the registration information when the system comes back on-line that
information then becomes part of your electronic temp tag log.
Q May I still issue a temporary tag to my
dealership to transport cars to and from the auction?
A Yes. You may continue to issue
temporary tags to your dealership for vehicles you are transporting to or from
an auction or off premise sale. Some
auctions are considering setting up computers and printers to allow dealers to
log on and issue themselves temporary tags before leaving the auction.
Q Does the same procedure apply to
motorcycles?
A Yes. Providers will have
motorcycle-sized temporary tag stock.
Q Does the person whose name appears on
the registration have to have a motorcycle endorsement for a dealer to issue
him or her a temporary tag?
A No. Effective July 1, 2008, the
registrant of a motorcycle no longer must have a motorcycle endorsement. However, any person who operates a motorcycle
must still have the proper endorsement.
Q Am I
allowed to charge customers a fee to recoup my costs for this program?
A Yes, the law states that motor vehicle
dealers are authorized to charge a fee, but it does not state how much a dealer
could charge. To attempt to get clarification from regulatory agencies, the
FIADA, FADA, Florida RV Trade Association and the Florida Motorcycle Dealers
Association met with the following regulatory agencies: Attorney General’s Office; Department of
Revenue; Department of Financial Services, Office of Financial Regulation; and
the DMV. Based on that meeting, we offer
the following guidelines:
This
charge represents costs and profit to the dealer for items such as inspecting,
cleaning, and adjusting vehicles, and preparing documents related to the sale.
7-9-08