Motor Vehicle "convenience" fee

[starwood]

I've always renewed my car registration on line. That way I'm sure it doesn't get lost in the mail. I got all the way through the registration process and it says there is a $2.00 "convenience" fee. Nuts to that. I'll mail in my payment for .44 cents.

 

[DisneyMissy318]

Our state (VA) now charges you $5 to renew your car registration in person at the DMV. Now that's service!! You can renew by mail, online or on the phone for no fee. I usually do most of what I need to do online, but I think about those without computers, senior citizens, etc. who would rather go to the DMV and do it in person. I think this is a bogus charge! This from the Governor who wants to close down all of the state rest areas as a cost saving measure. I can't wait until he moves to Washington!

 

[rflorek]

I've always renewed my car registration on line. That way I'm sure it doesn't get lost in the mail. I got all the way through the registration process and it says there is a $2.00 "convenience" fee. Nuts to that. I'll mail in my payment for .44 cents.

They've been charging that "Convenience fee" since last year (I paid it last April/May when I renewed my prior registration). Kind of like the "Convenience charge" charged by Ticketmaster.

 

[dgthree]

lol - I thought the same thing last year when I renewed my registration. You'd think the DMV would charge a fee for going *in* to an office - then you take up an actual person's time, not just inconveniencing a microchip for a few seconds. So... (since I misplaced the renewal paperwork when it was mailed... oops), I guess I'll be gracing the office in Randolph with my presence next month.

 

[mikehn]

Just be thankful some authority isnt taxing you for each post you make on the Disboard. Go head and laugh it up, it might not be that far off.

 

[princessmom29]

We are charged a $2.00 mail fee to mail it in for renewal rather than come in to do it. I will gladly pay the 2 dollars not to have to sit there for 2 hours or more waiting.

 

[Justsyd2]

Is that all? I'll hand over my two bucks, no problem! I am not going in to a DMV to renew my license, and I don't trust the mail.

 

[starwood]

The charge is only online. I mailed mine in and it only cost me the renewal fee and the cost of a .44 cent stamp.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Those "convenience fees" drive me nuts too. Seriously, what is their basis for the fee?

At the end of my renewal online session there was a survey and a place for comment about what you thought of the online process. I put in my opinion of their convenience fee. I'm sure it will do nothing, but I felt better.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

We've had a mail-in convenience fee of $2 for at least 20 yrs (that's when I started paying my own car taxes). It covers the cost of return mail for the paperwork that has to go back in the car, and the new license plate if you need one. Small price to pay for the check clearing one week later than the last day to pay.

I can see the fee for online payment too. They are recouping the fee that the credit card company charges to process the payment. We have to pay $2.50 to use our debit cards or 2% to use cc's. I'd rather than than upping the taxes on everyone who pays with checks or cash.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

We are charged $1 if we mail it in, and $2 if done online. So I just do it in person since it is not that far away (on my way after dropping kids at school) and the line usually isn't bad if I go in the morning.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The basis for the fee is very simple. It is similar to those who pay their Federal Income Taxes with a credit card, or other taxes.

All credit (and debit) cards charge a fee to the merchant, usually based as a percentage of the dollar amount transmitted.

A government is normally not allowed to give a discount on fees collected, unless specifically authorized by law.

So the government actually collects the amount of tax or other (such as registration) item somebody has to pay the fee for the credit card company and it is not the government. This is handled by use of a "convenience fee" which can be done in one of two ways. (a) The credit card company charges the cardholder the fee; this is more common for higher amounts, such as taxes, or (b) the government adds a charge which will normally cover the fee charged by the credit card company.

Mike (CPA Retired)

 

[tinker&belle]

Our BMV gave a discount last year to anyone who paid online.

The fee that made me was this year when we sold a car that had a loan and bought a car with cash. To get my refund for plates they charged me a fee of $3 to get my own money refunded. I was really mad. I didn't mind paying the tax/title/ plate change etc. etc., but to charge me to get my own money refunded (to go right back to them for these other fees!) was ridiculous!

 

[rosanafamily]

I've always renewed my car registration on line. That way I'm sure it doesn't get lost in the mail. I got all the way through the registration process and it says there is a $2.00 "convenience" fee. Nuts to that. I'll mail in my payment for .44 cents.

That is exactly why we stopped doing it online!! We started mailing it again!

 

[LisaNJ25]

The charge is only online. I mailed mine in and it only cost me the renewal fee and the cost of a .44 cent stamp.

I got to the Randolph one and I am in and out in 15 minutes. Saves me the $2.00.

 

[disneymom2003]

I have AAA. Pay it there. No lines and no fees. Yes I pay to have AAA but it also provides other services my family needs.

Think about it. The government tells you you have to pay a yearly fee to license your car, then they tell you and by the way we are charging you to pay it, Go figure!

 

[ncbyrne]

I have AAA. Pay it there. No lines and no fees. Yes I pay to have AAA but it also provides other services my family needs.

QUOTE]

We belong to AAA. I never heard of this. Is it available in all states?

 

[amcnj]

The "convenience fee" being a way to recoup credit card charges the state incurs sounds plausible, except for the fact that you can sill go to the agency in person and pay with a credit card, and no extra charge is applied. It is just a way to get more money out of you. Instead they should be encouraging on-line payments to avoid crowded Motor Vehicle Offices.

NJ also has EZ Pass as an electronic way to pay road tolls, and there was discussion of charging people who use that device a higher charge for the toll as a convenience fee too!

One thing that has surprised me is my town alluws you to pay property taxes with a credit card, and there is no extra charge. You can even do so over the phone!

 

[starwood]

One thing that has surprised me is my town alluws you to pay property taxes with a credit card, and there is no extra charge. You can even do so over the phone!

Our wish our town would let us do that. That would be about $9000 in Disney visa dollars.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I have some inside knowledge on this topic. In our state, the company that designs, hosts, runs, maintains, and backs-up the websites are paid solely via the convenience fee. They do not charge the state (taxpayers) to do any of the above. They make their money on the fees which are determined by general law.