Vehicle Registration Tips

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Registering your Vehicle in California, Florida or Maryland

Registering a vehicle is something all drivers have to deal with at some point. Digital registration cards are becoming more popular as a way to make the registration process more convenient, but are currently only available in California, Florida and Maryland.

Even with this new technology that’s helping individuals complete new car registration and registration renewals from their desktop, laptop, tablet or phone, it is important for drivers in these states to understand the vehicle registration info where they live.

Each state has different regulations when it comes to registering a vehicle. Here’s what you’ll need to know to register a vehicle in California, Florida or Maryland.

California

The base vehicle registration fee in California is $46. Beginning in 2018, the state’s transportation improvement fee will range from $25 to $175 based on the vehicle’s value. Vehicles in California must be registered annually and there is not senior citizen discount. The electric vehicle fee is an additional $100. Other notes on California vehicle registration include a $24 California Highway Patrol fee, and additional fees based on the type of vehicle, license plate type, the owner’s county of residence, and driving record.

Florida

The base vehicle registration fee in Florida is $225 initially with an added charge based on the vehicle’s weight. Vehicles under 2,500 pounds will cost an additional $14.50, vehicles between 2,500 and 3,499 pounds will be charged $22.50 and vehicles over 3,500 pounds $32.50. Vehicles in Florida must be registered annually. There is no senior citizen discount or electric vehicle fee in Florida. Other statutory fees can apply. Registration use, license plate type and class code are all used to determine registration fees. The class code is determined bythe vehicle weight, body type, vehicle type and registration use.

Maryland

The base vehicle registration fee in Maryland is $135 for passenger cars up to 3,700 pounds or $187 for passenger cars over 3,700 pounds. Vehicles in Maryland must be registered on a biennial basis, meaning every other year. Passenger truck registration fees are calculated differently than passenger cars and vary depending on weight. There is no senior citizen discount or electric vehicle fee in Maryland.

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If You Have Complaints About Vehicle Registration Renewal, there is Another Option

If you have ever had to rearrange your entire day just to complete your registration renewal at a DMV office or been denied use of the state’s online service because of particular circumstances, than you know how frustrating the situations can be. While DMV offices do their best to serve the thousands of vehicle owners in their area, they often fall short sometimes due to budget constraints.  But there are other options.

 At the core of any business, a good product and quality customer service is a must. eTags delivers both. eTags was created to deliver a specific need: helping customers renew their vehicle registration faster and more conveniently. eTags allows vehicles owners in California, Florida, and Maryland to renew their registration online on a secure platform anywhere they have an internet connection. eTags can be accessed on your laptop, smartphone, and tablet and without having to zoom in and out on smaller screens.

 Common Complaints about Renewing Your Vehicle Registration

 eTags serves hundreds of customers a day and they hear common complaints regarding vehicle registration renewal. Common complaints about having to go to the DMV include

·         Having to wait in long lines, needing to bring multiple forms or proofs, and unfortunately having to encounter individuals who are not in the best mood when your turn finally comes. eTags ensures you get fast processing of your vehicle registration where you never have to step foot into the DMV.  

·         Even with state-run online platforms, users often report being unable to complete an order either because of cryptic error messages or being unable to access their record. With eTags, you can breeze by the renewal process and quickly find out if you are eligible for renewal. If you are not, you find out why without having to make a run to the DMV just to find that out.

·         Another common complaint involves not being able to change or choose the shipping information or option or not receiving the registration in the mail at all. eTags can ship your registration renewal anywhere in the continental US and, in California, they provide a next day shipping option. eTags also provides free sticker and registration card replacements if they are lost or stolen.

 You can renew your car registration whenever it is convenient for you, and you will soon receive your official registration in the mail with eTags. While you wait for the official registration card to arrive in the mail, you can download a digital copy (otherwise called an eTag) that you can put in your vehicle as proof of having renewed. eTags provides an answer to a key complaint vehicle owners have had about having to go the DMV to renew their registration.

 However, eTags also provides stellar customer service to ensure its customers are completely satisfied. Each year, millions of vehicle owners will attempt to renew their DMV only to find out that they have a hold on their registration or other issue barring them from renewal. eTags customer service agents can provide assistance to inform anyone affected on the steps to resolve the matter.

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Are You in the Market for a New Car in FL? Have Considered a Hatchback!

Are you in the market for a new car? Although you might have missed out on Memorial Day Sales Events, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get a good deal on an automobile. Dealers will be looking to bring in next year’s models onto their lots around this time, so plenty of deals can be had.

 According to an article featured in USA Today, you may want to take a look at a hatchback as these subcompacts are beginning to make a comeback. In 2017, more customers opted for SUVs than smaller cars, and the numbers show that. According to sales statistics so far, sales of compact and subcompact cars are down 25%. However, hatchback styles are actually gaining in popularity as sales are up 16% in 2017.

 The editors at Kelley Blue Book note that the hatchback has seen a renaissance in interest of late, and this could be due to the fact that hatchbacks enable motorists to store much more cargo than they would with other subcompacts. They have good gas mileage and handling, making them the perfect compromise for motorists who want the cargo space of an SUV but the size and performance of compact or subcompact.

 If you are shopping for a new car in FL, a hatchback may make a lot of sense if you want an affordable model – especially right now when there are still sales available for this year’s models. When budgeting out how much you can afford, be sure to include not only the price of the car, but interest you’ll pay for financing, gas, registration and Florida auto tag renewal fees, and maintenance costs to ensure you buy a vehicle that not only fits your needs but also your budget.

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Apple Enters the Autonomous Automobile Industry in California

Pretty soon, renewing your California car registration may be one of those things you can do in a few clicks while your car is on the move, driving itself. California just gave Apple a permit to test self-driving cars. While Google was the first to take on this venture in the Golden State, this will be the iPhone manufacturer’s first attempt at creating an autonomous car, and it provides the public with new information about the company’s plans.  It had previously not indicated publicly that it was working on a self-driving car, but there was a ton of speculation out there that this was exactly what Apple engineers were working on. News of the issued permit confirms those suspicions.

 In total, there are now 30 companies that are testing autonomous vehicles with various levels of success. Those companies include some of the biggest names in the tech industry, including Tesla and Google. In order for a company to receive a permit, it must apply to the California Department of Motor Vehicles before it can start testing autonomous cars on public roads. Chances are it will be still some time before autonomous cars make it to public roads in California. However, according to analysts, the industry could generate tens of billions of dollars in the coming years.

 The idea behind autonomous vehicles is both to change the driving experience of each motorist and to enhance public safety on the road. Many researchers believe that autonomous cars could prevent as much as 90% of crash fatalities. When you consider that there are more than 30,000 fatalities every year on the road in the United States alone, autonomous cars could save as many as 300,000 Americans in a decade. This number would be significantly higher across the globe. To put things in perspective, the life-saving estimates resemble the number of people saved from vaccines.

 While these numbers are certainly promising, we are still some time away from autonomous cars being introduced to the public at large. Tesla has autonomous technology built into their vehicles but it is not the primary form of driving by any means. Its use is still limited. In the meantime and in order to remain safe, you should practice safe driving techniques. If you’re unsure of what some of those techniques might be, check out this blog from eTags, which provides driving safety tips, automotive news, and more for motorists in California and beyond.

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Four Tips for Finding a Good Mechanic

If there is one invaluable resource you can find that will save you a lot of money and stress, it's a good mechanic. While dealers are usually a dependable choice, they tend to overcharge you like chain auto shops which are often trying to upsell you. Sometimes it makes sense to pay a little more for that intangible trust factor but not in excess of course. Just as renewing your registration online with services like eTags can save you a headache by helping you avoid the DMV, a good mechanic will charge you fair prices for quality service. Remember, the lowest price is not always the best deciding factor. If you're on the hunt for a good mechanic, here a few tips to keep in mind:

 Find a Shop with Experience with the Make of Your Car: This is especially important if you own an import. Many shops have specialized experience with brands and will have the equipment and experience to make the necessary repairs. When shopping around, be sure to ask the mechanic whether he or she is familiar with your automobile. As an example, you may find a shop that specifies expertise with BMWs but they may also be able to service you if you have a different similar, German brand like an Audi.

 Check the Popular Reviews Sites: Per Consumer Reports, auto shops are the twelfth most common complaint listed on the site. Once you have narrowed it down to one or two places you might considering bringing your car to, put in the shop’s name and location to see if there are any good or bad reviews. While the nature of internet reviews tends to wing toward negative experiences because consumers are more likely to share a bad experience than a good one, you will get insight into how a business operates. If you see several great reviews, that is a good sign. If you see several bad reviews and the business doesn’t seem to be committed to addressing and resolving those outlined issues, it may not be a good choice.

 Ask Family and Friends: Family, friends and even friends of friends may be able to provide you with an honest assessment of mechanics they've hired and whether they would recommend any. Like doing an online reviews search, obtaining reviews or recommendations from people you know regarding their experience can be very valuable.

 Use the Shop for a Test Run: Before you commit to a shop for major repairs, stage a tryout for a minor repair or maintenance service like an oil change. Here you will get a better idea of whether or not the shop is good one without any major consequences. It may even be a good idea to get assessments from a few shops to see if the reported issues that need repair are consistently reported and see how they communicate the urgency of those repairs and how they calculate the cost. This may not be a financially feasible option if diagnosing only costs are excessive.

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Want to Save Money on Your Next Car? Here’s How:

When it comes time to replace your car with something new, or if you’re buying your first car, you’re going to want to save as much money as possible. But that’s not always as simple as we want it to be. Car dealers may try to talk you into buying a car out of your price range, not to mention you also have to pay for your Florida tags and renew them each year, pay for your title, car insurance, and of course sales tax.

Don’t be quick to accept an offer on a car just yet. Follow these tips to help you save money:

Determine Your Desired Monthly Car Payment

 Unless you have the money to pay in full for a car, you will have to take out a car loan and make monthly payments to pay it off. Figure out how much you can afford to pay each month, and make sure to factor in other expenses such as insurance costs. Remember to research financing options with the dealer as well as outside sources such as your bank and credit unions. Coming in pre-approved for financing is a bargaining chip that works in your favor.

 Figure Out How Much Can You Put Down

The more you pay upfront, the less you owe in car payments each month. Ideally, you should put down at least 10 percent of the vehicle’s sale price. Lenders may require a higher down payment on newer cars. Also, remember that your trade-in can be able to serve as your down payment if it has enough value. If you do have a trade in, research what the dealer will comp you for it as a trade in and what you would get if you sold outright.

 Decide When You Want the Car

 In regards to when you buy the car, try to be realistic and patient. The more time you spend saving money, the larger the down payment and the smaller your monthly payment. Additionally, you may want to wait for a major sale to start so you can take advantage of discounts and/or free upgrades. Often the very end and beginning of the year present great sales offers as do the summer months. A lot of dealerships offer great deals in August, with high discounts on current year’s models. Shop around and be prepared to wait for a sale to start if you want the best deal.

Find out the Market Price of the Vehicle One highly expensive mistake car buyers make is not knowing the market price of a vehicle before buying it. So, before you visit dealerships and shop, determine what a fair price is to pay for the vehicle whether its new or used.  You can use websites like Edmunds.com or Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com).  

Get Price Quotes

Once you have chosen a model or models you like, you want to get free price quotes from multiple dealers to see who will offer you the best price on the vehicle. Inform them of the vehicle you want, let them know you are working with multiple dealers, and ask them for a price, including all the dealer fees.

Avoid Add-Ons and Extra Fees

The dealer may try to sell you vehicle add-ons, like an extended warranty, fabric protection, or rust-proofing. While some add-ons make sense, they will instantly hike the final purchase price. With things like extended warranties or insurances, you can shop around for independent quotes if this is something that you would want to have. The price can also be hiked because of model types. Unless you request the top model or get one as part of the deal you negotiate, don’t feel pressured into buying a higher model of the same car or trapped into because they say they are out of stock of other lesser expensive models.

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Registration Renewal Made Easy

Everyone has heard of, or even shared their own horror stories from the DMV. Long lines, hard seats in the waiting area, and even messed up VIN numbers prohibiting registration. If you are lucky enough to live in Ohio, Illinois or Indiana, you have one of the top DMV experience’s in the country. However, Connecticut, South Carolina and Oregon drivers are not as lucky, as these three states have the worst DMV customer service satisfaction. California ranks fifth on highest for overall customer satisfaction. The reason for this is due to location of offices, hours, and online services.

No hassle

When the time comes to renew your automobile registration, online registration in California allows you to skip the line and headache of driving to the DMV. Besides those two benefits, online renewal provides Californians the option to pay with any major credit card, along with payment plan options of three, six or twelve months with licensed DMV partners.

Drive right away

With the option to renew your registration online, you may worry you won’t have any documentation right away to show your registration is up to date. This is not the case depending on where you renew! With once licensed DMV partner, you have the option to print out temporary cards you can use until your new California registration card comes in the mail.

Support system

Dealing with DMV employees previously may have left a bad taste in your mouth. While renewing your registration online, you will not have to deal with an employee of the DMV. This doesn’t mean there isn’t a support system in place if you have questions or need help. Reputable service providers will always be available via phone or email if you have any question regarding your renewal process.