Fail: Defect reportedly causing NYC car registration stickers to unstick
Apparently, there have been some two million vehicle registration stickers and another 2.5 million inspection stickers issued this year in New York. No great shakes there – except for the fact that the stickers aren't living up to their names, as they are refusing to securely affix themselves to car windshields. This, as you might imagine, is a bit of a problem since citations for a missing or improperly stuck sticker can cost up to $100.
According to The New York Times, two separate vendors are responsible for the not-so-sticky stickers, and the affected units are being replaced free of charge. It seems, though, that most drivers are taking matters into their own hands by simply using adhesive tape to get the stickers to stay in place in lieu of filing the paperwork for a new one.
Police in New York are reportedly being instructed to be lenient on offenders as long as sufficient evidence is found that the vehicle's owner was affected by the bad batch of stickers. Happen to be one of the owners in question? Click here for instructions on how to get a new inspection sticker and hit the jump for a press release from the New York DMV explaining the issue.
[Source: The New York Times | Image: woody1778a via C.C. 2.0]
PRESS RELEASE:
DMV ADDRESSES INSPECTION/REGISTRATION STICKER ISSUE
Decals Not Remaining Adhered to Vehicle Windshields
Commissioner David J. Swarts of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today addressed the issue of 2010 inspection stickers and registration stickers that are not adhering to vehicle windshields. The Department became aware of the issue after receiving several complaints from consumers, DMV field offices and inspection stations. It should be noted that only a fraction of stickers have the potential to fail and not all are susceptible to not adhering. DMV is suggesting that customers reaffix any defective sticker to the vehicle with transparent tape or other adhesive.
"We recognize the issue of inspection and registration stickers failing to adhere to vehicles is an inconvenience to our customers," said Commissioner Swarts. "We have notified law enforcement agencies that may come across loose or taped stickers to use their discretion whenever possible. We have also made the process of obtaining a new sticker, should one be required, as easy as possible for our customers."
In the event an inspection sticker is no longer available, customers may obtain a replacement at no cost. For complete information on how to obtain a new inspection sticker motorists can visit the DMV web site at www.nysdmv.com/vehsafe.htm. The $2.00 fee normally charged by the DMV will be waived for customers who report that their safety sticker has fallen off.
If a registration sticker is not usable or the original registration sticker is lost, motorists can visit a DMV office, apply by mail, or contact a call center to receive a new document. The $3.00 fee normally charged by the DMV will be waived for customers who report that the registration sticker has fallen off or become defective.
The DMV has been working with the vendors of both products to identify the deficiencies and receive an appropriate restitution. The Department will continue to identify and remove defective stickers from inventory to prevent them from getting into circulation.
More information can be found on the DMV web site at www.nysdmv.com. Customers who need to contact DMV with additional questions should go to the Contact or Visit the DMV page at the DMV web site.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dmoneycivicsi 8:33AM (10/15/2009)
Yep had to scotch tape mine.
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travisty 9:52AM (10/15/2009)
I had to do the scotch tape thing 10 years ago in NY... Although that was in the old days with "clean windshield, dip registration in cup of warm water, apply wet to the windshield" were the instructions.
jv2k 11:15AM (10/15/2009)
I managed to get mine on and so far it's not falling off, but getting it on was a pain in the ass and I've seen a lot of them falling off. On top of that when I couldn't get the sticker out without tearing out part of it. This is ridiculous, they send these things out to millions of people and you can hardly put them on without breaking them and they fall off.
dsuupr 8:38AM (10/15/2009)
I have always wondered why places like New York have to use extra stickers. Why not just renew the plates that coincide with emission renewals, etc. I would be ticked to deal with such garbage in my window.
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Dave 12:48PM (10/15/2009)
i feel like this would result in stolen plates here in NYC, but that's just my guess. on a side note, BOTH my reg. and inspection stickers are being held on by scotch tape. *sigh*
Nightcrawler 2:17PM (10/15/2009)
I'm not sure what you are suggesting when you say to "renew the plates that coincide with emissions renewals".
The way NY is now, there is a registration sticker and a vehicle inspection sticker (which includes the emissions testing for those parts of the state that require it). Both go on the windshield. Then a passing cop can see at a glance if they are the right color for the current year, and may be able to see the month they expire too. You probably have the plates as long as you own the car, so just having the plates wouldn't prove you paid for this year's registration or had the car inspected.
What are you saying is an alternative? Many years ago, we used to have little stickers that went in the corner of the plate. I was just a kid, but I think they may have been inspection stickers since we still use similar stickers on the plates for trailers when they get inspected. Is that what you mean?
Andre 6:53PM (10/16/2009)
I think he means, For instance in California we don't have inspections just renewals and Bi-yearly Emission Tests depending on the age of the Vehicle, with that we just have Registration stickers that adhere to the license plates not windshield..
David Ederer 8:48AM (10/15/2009)
This is nothing new, these stickers are awful and have failed for years. I've used rubber cement and elmer's white glue.
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Mike P. 3:34AM (10/16/2009)
I wonder why they don't switch to the UK method... stronger adhesive (since it doesn't have to be removed every year) on a clear pouch, with the tax disc/registration inside the pouch.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/00673/brown-taxdisc-404_673703c.jpg
I've never had one fall off.
Matt1214 8:51AM (10/15/2009)
I had to use Scotch tape, too. I finally got sick of my inspection sticker sitting on my dashboard.
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roadkillrob 8:51AM (10/15/2009)
Same thing happened in Massachusetts about a month ago - one of the 2 vendors inspection stickers don't stick - probably one of the same vendors NY used.
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ForgedInternals 9:02AM (10/15/2009)
I used clear packing tape, It's beyond BS that I could get a ticket for their screw up though.
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Jim R 9:57AM (10/15/2009)
Suddenly every podunk burg in upstate NY has found a way to make lots of quick cash...
EXP Jawa 9:15AM (10/15/2009)
Slow news day? This has been known to us New Yorkers for quite a while, and we've been taping the stickers on all year. BTW, with regards to the headline - there *is* more to NY state than NYC...
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bfd1 9:20AM (10/15/2009)
WTH! finally it makes sense
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ack154 10:40AM (10/15/2009)
Ya, both mine and my g/f's have been peeling off since day 1. Going to try to get a replacement now.
dukeisduke 10:15AM (10/15/2009)
They need to use the same supplier that TxDOT uses here in Texas. Ours are a b*tch to scrape/peel off. I always have to use carb cleaner to get the remaining adhesive off of the windshield.
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Sean 10:37AM (10/15/2009)
I wouldn't be surprised it Bloomberg wanted this to happen. Bloomberg has nailed the common man with tickets. He has used them to add money to the city coffers. I know, its paranoid, but if you lived in New York City you would know what I am talking about.
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Sam K 6:50PM (10/18/2009)
I agree with Sean. I'm not paranoid or a conspiracy theorist. I just think that NY state and NYC will use any means possible to generate revenue. As much as I like Bloomberg as Mayor, he's definitely using parking and moving violations to generate revenue for the city.
Across from my apartment, you can park on the entire block except for one car length at the end of the block. There's a "no standing" sign just for that one parking spot and that was only put there after Bloomberg became mayor. Several times a week I see cars parked there with tickets on them because people don't look at the sign. They see cars parked the entire length of the block so they assume they car park there too. Yes it's their own fault for getting a ticket, however I think that's a sneaky way for the city to generate to generate revenue. And for the skeptics who think "how much money can the city possibly generate from one illegal parking spot?", let's do some simple math. Let's say you write just one $115 ticket per day in that "no standing" spot and it could easily be more because I've seen more than one car parked there on a given day. That's $115 per day x 365 days per year = $41975 for just one illegal parking spot. Now imagine how much revenue NYC can generate by putting "no standing" parking spots all over the city.
Back to the topic. My NYS inspection sticker was defective too and wouldn't stick to my windshield. I had to tape mine as soon as I got it back in April.
Big Dave 10:39AM (10/15/2009)
http://blog.silive.com/latest_news/2009/05/large_inspection506.jpg
Better Photo.
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