Temporary Registration Towing Issue

Summary

If a car with a valid temporary registration is towed in Massachusetts, it may be due to the license plate not showing up in the system. The owner must present valid registration and proof of purchase to reclaim the vehicle, and may be responsible for towing and storage fees. Delays in DMV processing can cause such issues, and the owner might need to wait until the paperwork is processed.

Full Conversation

My daughter bought a car in vt and issed a temporary registration for 60 days cops pulled her over and towed her car and she cannot get it out
Hello Erika, I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's situation. May I know if the temporary registration was expired or still valid when she was pulled over? Also, please confirm if this happened in Vermont.
Valid, she was in Massachusetts
Hello Erika,
Under Massachusetts law:
- Cars with temporary plates are allowed, provided they're valid.
- If the vehicle is towed, there are certain fees and procedures to recover it.
Please check the temporary registration rules in Vermont too, as it's the car's state of origin.
It was valid and she was only pulled over because the plates didn't show up in system
Hello Erika,
Under Massachusetts law:
- Police can pull over a vehicle if the license plate doesn't show up in their system.
- Even if the temporary registration is valid, the vehicle may be towed for verification.
To reclaim the car, you may have to present the valid temporary registration and pay towing and storage fees.
Its a new car she boufgt * weeks ago
Hello Erika,
As the car is new and the temporary registration is valid, it should have been allowed on the road. Your daughter can present the valid registration and purchase proof to reclaim the vehicle. Do remember, towing and storage charges may apply.
Why did they tow it when she had proof of a valid registration?
Hello Erika,
The vehicle might have been towed due to the license plate not showing up in the system, which can raise suspicion. It's standard procedure to verify the validity of the registration in such cases.
Dmv paperwork is still being processed in vt.
Hello Erika,
The DMV processing time in Vermont can cause a delay in the system update. Your daughter can contact the Massachusetts police department with her valid temporary registration and proof of ongoing Vermont DMV paperwork to get the vehicle released.
So she just has to wait until it goes through? Weeks? And its her expence?
Hello Erika,
Yes, unfortunately, your daughter will need to wait until the DMV paperwork is processed. She might also be responsible for the towing and storage fees. This can vary, so it's best to check with the local authorities.