When does your license plates revocation begin? Is it when you turn in your plates to the Department of Motor Vehicle or when the DMV sends you the card showing that your license plate is revoked?

Bill

Anderson, IN

You did not say which State and since each State has their own reasons and process for license plates being revoked or suspended you will need to contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, or like agency that is requiring you to turn in your license plates, to check when your revocation begins.

You should also find out from the Department of Motor Vehicle how long the license plates are revoked for and when you can have them returned to you. If you lost your license plates because of being without auto insurance, or a lapse in your insurance, then you will likely be required to present proof of insurance to get your license plates back.

How long does it take for insurance carriers in Marietta to report my car insurance coverage to the state of Georgia DMV insurance system?

Patty

Marietta, GA

Insurance companies in Marietta and like any other cities in GA issuing or renewing motor vehicle liability insurance policies are required to electronically transmit the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) together with the policy’s effective date to the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division insurance database within thirty days of the date the insurance coverage is to start. This database is called the Georgia Electronic Insurance Compliance System or GEICS and insurance companies must electronically report cancellations and additions or deletions of cars from existing policies as well.

To make sure that your insurance provider properly sent the DOR the policy information, the state of Georgia requests that all car owners compare the VIN on their current insurance card with the VIN listed on their tag receipt or registration certificate. If it does not match immediately contact your insurance company since only they can add, edit or delete information on the GEICS.

I acquired a certified copy of my driving record which shows that I have no infractions in the last three years but I was in an accident about a year ago in a different state. When I go for auto insurance will they be able to know this or is all they check is my DMV record?

Ross

Appleton, WI

Most states are part of the Drivers License Compact or Agreement which permit them to transfer violation or infraction information between Motor Vehicle Agencies. It could be that your home state or state in which you had the accident is not part of this agreement and therefore the information did not transfer. Or it could be that the system is backed up and that the information will eventually come through and be listed to your DMV record.

Your auto insurance carrier might not show the accident if it is not showing up on your DMV record however if you put in a claim or had a claim filed against your insurance policy it is likely that shows up in their records. If the insurance carrier asks about your record it is always better to be truthful and upfront so that you can obtain an accurate quote.

How will I be able to find out if a person has car insurance if I have their VIN number and license number? Can I get Information from the DMV?

Bill

Fresno, CA

State laws varies regarding private and public information however if you need to know if an individual has car insurance you first should contact your local DMV to check if you as a private citizen can obtain this information. The Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) should then be able to inform you if you can get this information from them or another state agency.

If you have been hit by a car and you have managed to obtain their VIN number and license plate number, perhaps this information was correct while their name and number was not, then you would also want to contact the law enforcement officer to make a report. It is no individuals legal right to no if another person is insured unless there is cause for the information.

In California you can make a request the insurance information by contacting the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Financial Responsibility Unit and submitting a form.