The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is best known for auto tags and registrations. However, DMV staff deal with a variety of issues and programs that are not so well known. If you own a vehicle, DMV issued the title and recorded the liens when your vehicle was financed. This is not just for cars and trucks. Mobile homes and recreational vehicles are titled and registered through the DMV. We work closely with county tax collectors in all 67 Florida counties. They act as our agents in processing titles and registrations throughout the state. Most of our customers deal directly with the tax collector office instead of us.

Tax collector offices also process boat registrations and titles for us.

Issuing registration is just part of our job--enforcement, to ensure vehicles are properly registered is also our responsibility. Compliance examiners patrol streets and parking areas statewide checking for current registration decals. They place Notices of Violation on vehicles with out-of-state tags or improper tags or decals.

They work hand in hand with Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) investigators to identify salvaged and rebuilt vehicles and inspect the authenticity of Vehicle Identification Numbers.

DMV protects the public by regulating motor vehicle and mobile home/RV industry through the dealer licensing program. Compliance examiners meet with applicants who want to be licensed as Motor vehicle dealers. They inspect the property where the applicant wants to locate the dealership.

If a consumer files a complaint against a motor vehicle dealer, the compliance examiner helps determine the problem and resolve it with the dealership. They also investigate "curbstoning" -- when vehicles are offered for sale on the roadside. An individual who sells more than three vehicles a year must be a licensed motor vehicle dealer.

The DMV also registers Florida-based commercial vehicles and collects fees under the International Registration Plan, the International Fuel Tax Agreement and the Fuel Use Tax Program.

These programs ensure that motor carriers pay their fair share of road use and fuel taxes in the states where they operate. Field auditors check trucking company records for accuracy of fees and fuel tax reports.

DMV also regulates the construction of mobile homes and recreational vehicles (RVs) that are sold in Florida. Examiners inspect units at manufacturing plants during all phases of construction. They monitor the plant's quality assurance programs to ensure mobile homes and RVs meet federal and state standards.

Examiners also investigate consumer complaints by inspecting the unit to determine whether the manufacturer or dealer is responsible for repairs.