Help! My Dealer gave me the wrong plate!

[Brackstone]

Okay everyone.

I've been riding my motorcycle with someone else's plate for almost a year now! The dealership just called me up because the guy who has my plate showed up. I'm not sure how he figured it out but I am worried.

The dealer just wants me to come in and swap plates but how do I know the guy didn't get any tickets on my plate? Is there anything else I should be looking into? Can anyone help???

Thanks!

[havegunjoe]

I'd have the dealer put in writing exactly what happened. If you contact DMV will they run the plate and tell you the history? Sometimes this cost a couple bucks.

[Flesher]

So your ownership's plate portion shows a plate that doesn't match what's on your bike? If that is the case then I'd imagine that any really bad transgressions by the person with YOUR plate would have brought the cops knocking on YOUR door since the plate would have brought up your name and address. I would ask for the dealer to pay for the cost of a report against each plate prior to the swap.

The potential for what could happen, especially with a rider clad in M/C gear and a helmet, making identification difficult, is really unsettling. Imagine trying to explain that - "no I swear officer, I don't know what you are talking about, it wasn't me" all the while your helmet and gear are sitting by the front door

[RhadamYgg]

How were you able to get inspected? They don't check that the plate matches your registration?

Oh, those idiots - right now my title says F26 and not FZ6. I'm not sure what to do about it - or if I'll just have to fix it when the time comes to sell the bike.

[Brackstone]

How were you able to get inspected? They don't check that the plate matches your registration?

Oh, those idiots - right now my title says F26 and not FZ6. I'm not sure what to do about it - or if I'll just have to fix it when the time comes to sell the bike.

I did not take my bike to get inspected this year. I believe new bikes are good for a few years no?

[RhadamYgg]

Yes, you are correct. I bought a used bike and had to get it inspected right away. Not for the first year. I'm not sure if it is like cars - where you can skip the first two years in NJ. Which, BTW makes all my NY friends jealous. No matter what they get their cars inspected every year.

[storysunfolding]

He may have found out the plate didn't match when he was pulled over. I'd tell the dealer you'd be happy to give him back his plate, if they can get you a new one altogether. Otherwise head to the DMV and hold the other plate ransom till (if) they pay the fees.

[Johnj]

You didn't check to make sure it was yours? Always check.

[Wrider]

I'd definitely have them run the plate for you, but honestly I doubt anything ever came of it because it was still his license they ran if they pulled him over, plus if it was a picture ticket or something like that you would have gotten something in the mail. I seriously doubt it was anything other than he went out to put new stickers on his plates and noticed it was different.