A STRICT new rule that’s come to a US state is forcing drivers to show an official document before buying or registering a vehicle.
And it’s causing a problem for local car dealerships – who say fewer cars are being sold as a result.
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A law implemented by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department will now require anyone wanting to register a car to have a valid document that ‘authorizes lawful presence’ in the US.
That means anyone trying to register a vehicle must now originate from the US, or have an unexpired passport issued by the government of another country with a mark attached by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
The rule, which also accepts other valid documents, including an unexpired I-94, a current permanent resident card, or an unexpired immigrant visa issued by the DHS, was not passed by legislature, but created by a state agency overseen by the Governor’s Office.
It’s causing dealership owners in the state to feel the pinch, with Michael Melendez, owner of Mike Auto Sales, estimating his sales have dropped by 75% in the last month.
He said that the rule is making it more difficult to sell cars to undocumented migrants – even if they are past customers.
Melendez said: “They are great, hard-working people.
“Recently, someone came over, who had purchased a car from me previously and he didn’t know about the [rule].
“I said ‘Listen, I’d love to sell you another car and I can’t. I’m losing all this business. It’s driving me nuts.’”
Speaking to WPTV, Melendez, who owns two other smaller car dealerships, now believes undocumented migrants will start paying other people with proper identification to buy a car for them, and then drive it without registration or insurance.
Andres Cedeno and Eduardo Sued, owners of Auto Sales Center and Delta Car Trade, were in agreement.
They said: “They hit somebody, they hurt somebody, nobody’s going to pay.”
WPTV revealed that the rule was enacted on September 23 – giving car dealers just two weeks to adjust.
Documents listing the new rule shows the state felt the policy was needed to “provide clarity regarding documentation” for the term “valid passport” in state law.
The document said: “The purpose of this rule is to provide clarity regarding documentation to be presented prior to the registering of a vehicle.
“The effect will be to allow the department to ensure compliance with state law when processing an application for a vehicle registration.”
This comes as a new policy coming in on November 12 for thousands of Americans will see cars towed with no notice after enforcement officers check just one single detail.
Officials are leading a crackdown on vehicles owned by “bad actors” who they say are trying to dodge traffic laws.
Elsewhere, a man tasked with moving an abandoned car that had sat in an old barn for 40 years received a shock when he gave it a wash.
A classic Studebaker Champion from 1950 was discovered covered in dust, grime, and muck, with the wheels sunken into the ground.
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