Member Submission: Buying a vehicle
Just wanted to share what I ran into recently..
Iv bought two cars in the last three months. Both times when the dealership tried to transfer my tags a large message pops up on the DMV site and says. You can not update address due to persons status as registered sex offender.
That’s super embarrassing.
The only way they found to get around this is when they update your tag Information.
The sales rep has to Un-check the box that says update adress. If they just update the tag information it will go through. They don’t have to update the adress but it’s a box they always check becuase so many people’s addresses don’t match there current ID. No big deal for most. Felony for us as you know.
Hope this helps. Thats what I discovered anyway..
It’s terrible we have to suffer this endless discrimination. But if they can’t update your tag some dealers won’t let you leave with the car.
This I just my expierence. It’s not the gospel truth and I can’t guarantee it will work for everyone. I just happen to buy a car from someone who’s brother is on the registry and he was able to help.
I am going to assume that this is working as intended, as we have no access to electronic address changes, and have to go directly to the sheriff’s office and DMV in person. This is probably meant to prevent us from making constant address changes to try and throw off the law enforcement.
Tereto
Have you ever been to a house closing? This may be next. Imagine being in a closing setting with an attorney, several real estate agents, a closing officer, and whoever else chooses to attend. All of a sudden they say to the group “Sorry there is an issue as it is stating you are a sexual offender! and won’t allow me to process the paperwork”.
I defer that it is NOT in fact working. We did out damn time now we cannot even buy a car without being embarrassed?
On a somewhat related note, I tried to file for Government assistance and was turned down. When I asked why, I was shocked she was honest of why and said “The benefits are for people who earned it, not for sexual deviants”. Of course when I went over her head and reported her, she flatly denied saying that and said I was just mad because I got turned down for benefits and was taking it out on her. I am in the process of applying again at another location but am not holding my breath.
I am just so glad that none of this is punishment. It really helps me sleep at night knowing the Government , city, county, state and Federal all have our backs.
Cherokee I can understand the frustration, but even paying for renewal of vehicle registration is not allowed online due to our scenario. I have to go to the DMV in person to get it renewed. Certain forms of government assistance is barred from us, but not all forms, it just requires digging. Until Florida allows us to make personal changes to addresses thru their FDLE site, again I am going to assume that this is working as intended.
I, too, have had to mail in my tag renewal requests in the past. I was shocked, last month, when I was able to renew online and got the new registration in the mail within a few days.
I too had problems at the DMV when I went in to renew my drivers license. Because of the sex offender flag on my license I had to go back home and get more identification information like my voters registration and current utility bill to prove I live where I say I do.
This is crazy. The lady at the DMV said it was because of The identifier on my license. This has got to stop.
DavidM
I am Jealous. I was told I have a lifetime ban on ever getting my voters rights back. Now give me just one reason we would be banned. They are scared we will all vote for people who are soft on crime. Heck a few years back a small town out west had a young kid who had a sex offense and he ran for mayor and won. I think they changed the rules of the charter after that.
@ CherokeeJack:. I have been in some pretty small towns where I have wondered if the town folks simply rotated through the position of mayor (because it was more of a hassle than an honor).
Perhaps serving as mayor was part of his sentence! 😆
For the Love of GOD and Country, tell me how this is not more added punishment. Whose business is it to be flagged as a sex offender while buying a car? How is this public safety? I mean we all desire to have our way with the car salesman to get a lower price right? Come on man.
I said in the past I now have to go to a different DMV location because last time I got my driver’s license updated, the clerk yelled really loud in front of 300 people (Its a huge location) “SIR, did you know your license says you are a SEX OFFENDER?”
First of all, my license does NOT say that, it has 943.0435 on it. But apparently, anyone who scans it is privy to that info. As far as I know, no one on the registry in Florida has Sex offender printed. The other marking is Sexual Predator which is an even worse marking.
Very useful experience for registered vehicle buyers.
Jacob
What is odd, when I went to get my drivers license renewed a few months ago, I was nervous something would be said. The lady was very nice and never mentioned a thing. I wished her a blessed day and went home with a license good for the next 7 years with only a small Fla Statue on the corner.
This is a very interesting post. I bought a car in 2020 from a Florida dealership without any problems. Maybe this is something new? However, I routinely visit an elderly friend who resides in a “retirement community” (nursing home). Whenever I check in at the security desk, they ask for my ID. They use an ID scanner that is hooked up to their computer. As soon as they scan it, the computer sounds a brief alarm like a door bell sound and the red screen of death pops up. I’m referring to the FDLE website as the red screen of death. I’ve never been denied access to visit my friend tho.
Bob
That happened to me when I tried to visit my daughter at her college dorm. Campus police pulled me over and advised me that I needed permission from the dean. If I was caught coming back without a letter stating I could be on campus, I would be arrested and threatened with “We could arrest you now but won’t because we called and your daughter verified your story”.
My Daughter told me it’s not worth it but thanks for trying. Who was punished here? My Daughter because she could visit me if I was still in prison but I cannot visit her at her dorm? Dang and I was going to wear a toga and everything. (Sarcasm)
How many more ways can we be punished. I’m certain that they will fine endless ways to do it.
I can only hope that one day these people will see the light and the futility of the registry.
I know it will not happen in my lifetime but hopefully the light will shine for others.
Jerry
And as you know, the WE in punishment extends to all of our families and loved ones. When we cannot attend school functions, or go on vacation without having to register numerous times when we leave, arrive and leave and arrive etc etc.
Feels suspiciously like probation requirements which are recognized as a sentence of punishment imposed for an amount of time. But in my and many others cases, lifetime of registry punishment with ZERO legislative relief to get off.