A Lesson on Not Forgetting to Renew Your Car Tag (A Tale of Fury and Felons)

9.20.2011

My car tag expired in March.

As in, six months ago. 

I discovered this yesterday, so after patting myself on the back for being such a safe driver that I hadn't gotten pulled over in all that time, I immediately went to the car tag agency to get myself up to date. 

I wasn't super worried. I thought it was sorta funny, actually. I mean, it's not like I did it on purpose, but with moving unexpectedly, planning a wedding, getting married, and in all respects of my life being crazy busy, checking my license plate for a stupid 2x2 sticker had not even been a tiny thought on the edge of my brain. 

{I should also mention that this is technically my first year to buy a tag for my white Ford. I bought it in 2010, so makes even more sense that I wouldn't remember when it expired.}

It's $91 to renew my car tag, which is annoying in and of itself. The purpose of the car tag is unclear to me anyway, so I was a little grouchy about having to shell out that much. 

But THEN, I was told that I would be charged $100 extra as a penalty for paying it late. 
I instantly became furious--one of those irate people whose face and neck turn an ugly shade of red and whose voice raises to a high pitch.

Later, I felt bad about being so rude, but in the moment I was furious. And it certainly didn't help when a lady (note: not even the original one who was helping me) came over and said, "Have you moved?" 

Me: "Umm...ever?"
Lady: "Have you moved recently?"
Me: "Yes."
Lady: "Well they don't forward the cards."
Me: "The cards?"
Lady: "They don't forward the reminder cards."
Me: "But I went to the post office and had all my mail forwarded."
Lady: "Well those aren't forwarded. It says so on the back."
Me: "Well I wouldn't know that, would I, since I didn't get a card." (That's what I wanted to say, but I didn't. I still like to add it to the story as if I did say it, though, since that would have been a great retort.)

Awesome. So the state of Oklahoma is obviously intentionally trying to screw people over by not forwarding the reminder cards along with the rest of your mail and charging an outrageously ridiculous amount in penalties.

"Why is the penalty so much?" I asked.
"It's to teach people not to be late anymore."
"Okay," I said, even more irate, "I didn't do it on purpose!"


In the end there was really nothing I could do except write a check for $192.50 (because they also charge $1.50 for an insurance fee, and what the crap is that anyway?). 


It was a long time before my face returned to a normal shade of not red. Actually, I continued to fester about it all day. I understand having real felons pay that much in penalty. Or repeat offenders. Or people without insurance. Or people who don't know how to spell. 

But me? I'm a good citizen. Oklahoma is lucky to have me. 


Those stupid jerks. 


The only bright side (and I'm really stretching here) is that I will never again forget that my car tag expires in March. 
March. 
March. 
March.

When I become president, there will be no car tags.
Katie Dupre said...

Does it still expire in March? When I forgot my car tag for 8 months and I finally went to get a new one, they told me that they could only give out stickers for the current month, and so my new month would be October.

Stupid bureaucracy.

Amanda said...

Audra, nope. I specifically asked her that, and she said it's always going to be March. So 6 months from now I have to pay ANOTHER $92.50.

Heidi said...

Amanda, Oklahoma IS lucky to have you. And I congratulate you on not breaking furniture and tearing your shirt down the middle like the Hulk. Cuz that's what I would have done.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that sucks. Missouri is not like that. Missouri is smart. Move to Missouri!!

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