CA Plates, Baby: A Bureaucratic Miracle in Three Acts
The week before last, I noticed an envelope from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles addressed to me on my daughter Isabel’s dining room table. As I moved cross-country, I used her California address for forwarding mail. Seeing me pick it up from the pile of other mail, she said, “Oh, yeah, that came for you a few weeks ago. Sorry. I’m not really good at processing the mail.”
Upon opening it, I read: “ Aug 8. Your Massachusetts vehicle registration has been suspended. We received a notification from Progressive Insurance that your policy was cancelled on Aug 1. Massachusetts requires active insurance. To address this situation, go to our website yada yada yada, reinstate, pay fee, or cancel.”
I threw the letter away with a passing thought: “I’ve got proof of CA insurance, title, etc… I’ll just wing it at the CA DMV… talk my way through… “ Didn’t think much of it.
I had an appointment scheduled with the CA DMV coming up to get my CA driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement, register my Vespa, and get a Real ID. I had all the paperwork, I had CA insurance in place (since Aug 1). Figured I’d ride a suspended bike for two weeks… plead ignorance if I got pulled over by CHP. What could go wrong? After all, I’m determined to live car-free here in Long Beach with my Vespa to be my sole means of motorized transport
And then at 8 AM on the morning of my 10 AM appointment, something made me pause. Maybe it was the caffeine kicking in, maybe it was a rare moment of adult responsibility. I got curious and decided to check facts.
“Perplexity,” I asked my new favorite AI research tool, “Can I register my motorcycle in California if my prior registration in Massachusetts has been suspended?”
“The CA DMV will check the national driver register and enforce unresolved out-of-state suspensions by denying new registration until clearance is received from the prior state. Even if the vehicle itself is eligible and has passed inspection, unresolved legal or administrative issues tied to a suspended out-of-state registration will likely block registration in California.”
Cue panic. I needed a “clearance letter” from MA. So much for winging it.
Perplexity gave me detailed “What to do” instructions. Step one: Contact the MA RMV to submit necessary paperwork (share the new insurance policy, pay a reinstatement fee, get a clearance letter). Sounds easy enough. So I went online. Found the right place to log in. Provided my name, DL number, SSN.
“You’re a new user. We require 2FA. We’ll send a letter to the mailing address on record. It will arrive in 5-7 days. Use the verification number to continue the login process.”
Well, that put a wrinkle in my plan to get it all done in one day. One trip to CA DMV to get DL and registration – that was the goal. I took a breath. Had more tea. Decided to contact Progressive to at least get the ball rolling on proof of insurance coverage. Worst case: Two trips to the DMV instead of one. I wouldn’t be the first dude in CA to be riding around a somewhat illegal bike.
Started an online text chat on Progressive.com, forced my way past the AI bot to get to a live (I assume) human. Detailed my situation. They told me I need to call an 800 number to talk with the verification team. I called. Jason picked up after a brief wait in the queue. I explained my situation: “Apparently Progressive notified the MA RMV that I cancelled my policy in MA, but didn’t tell ‘em I put in place one in CA.”
He understood, apologized like a good customer support agent, and said he’d have to transfer me to a different department, where they could help straighten things out. That other department would be able to send proof of insurance to MA. Another queue. Shia picked up. I went through the background again.
She cheerfully said, “I can fix this.” A ray of sunshine. Clickity clack. As she was working, she explained to me more than I ever cared to know about how various state databases do and do not share info. And that I was fortunate that CA and MA had some agreement in place to honor insurance policies. This is not the general case. Red states, blue states, I’m thinking.
Fifteen minutes later , she said, “All done. I’ve notified MA RMV that you have valid insurance, and that should release the suspension. Our databases communicate in real time, so you should be good now. Anything else, Mr. Cleff, I can help you with? Maybe you’d like an auto policy today?” No thanks, no car…
A glimmer of hope. Some steps of progress. But follow-up thoughts started racing: Do I dare attempt to contact the CA DMV before my 10 AM appointment to check up on things… do I just show up… or do I wait until I get my letter in the mail from MA RMV to log in and try to get my clearance letter… What to do…?!
I’ll call the MA RMV. Maybe I can pay whatever fee they want online. This morning. Yeah, I’ll try that.
Long hold. Bad muzak. Looping messages about ignition interlocks… visit our webpage to learn more… I remember the litter on the side of Mary’s Pond Road – all those nippers… ah yeah…
I finally get through to an agent. I explain the situation. Cancellation of MA policy due to relocation to CA, continuity of insurance, working on registration in CA, etc. How can I get a clearance letter?
“Sorry, that’s the suspension department. I can transfer you, but before I do, let me check one thing.” Clickity clack. “I’m showing that your MA registration is active.”
I’m thinking “The Progressive agent did say real-time updates… but this can’t be true… must be an error on MA’s end…” So… yeah, put me through to the suspension dept. I go into the queue. “Wait time is approximately 1 hour.”
Well, it’s still well before I need to leave for my 10 AM DMV appointment. So I put in my earbuds, stay on the line, and start to do some things around the house. Like painting the picture rail molding. Prep lunch. All the while listening to the endless loop: “Do you need to change or cancel a suspension hearing? Want to learn more about ignition interlock devices? Visit our website…”
I return to Perplexity… “Transfer of insurance to California is not sufficient by itself; Massachusetts will not clear the suspension simply because insurance is in force elsewhere unless their reinstatement process is followed.” The governor wants his fee. “Perplexity, how do I pay my reinstatement fee for Massachusetts?”
“You can pay in person at an RMV service center… Payment by mail is available… You may also be able to pay by phone…”
Damn. The muzak. The loop. Ignition interlock device website…
“Perplexity, how can I check online if my Massachusetts vehicle registration is suspended?”
Helpful instructions… “Access the MA RMV’s official vehicle registration status page. You will need your plate type and registration number. The online system will provide details (active or suspended). No login required.” Huh. No login?
I visit. I type. Results: “Registration is Active.”
Really? I’m not sure I believe it.
Did the system really work? Progressive notified MA RMV. The MA RMV accepted the info and lifted the suspension? In real time? No fee? It seems that way. If the MA system says so, I hope that whatever the CA DMV checks uses the same database. Small disbelief, but I’ll take my chances.
So I hung up on my call to the suspension department of the MA RMV. Hopped on my Vespa, which was now hopefully back to legal for the road, and headed to the CA DMV Bellflower office in time to make my 10 AM appointment.
The DMV appointment started on time – shocker – and the agent, Lisa, was amazingly human, friendly, and efficient. We did the first things: New CA Driver’s License with Real ID application. Provided all the proof of state residency and US citizenship. We chatted, sharing bits of our stories. “What brought you here?” Retirement. Grandfathering. How about you, how long have you been here? “10 years. Got 10 more to go before I can retire.”
“Clickity clack. Ok, we’re all set. You’ll need to pass two written tests: general driving in CA plus the motorcycle-specific quiz, and get your picture taken. But first, I suggest we get your motorcycle registration done validated….”
The moment of truth… which database is CA DMV going to query?
Lisa, we were now on a first-name basis, entered my details from my REG 343 form into the system, and then said, “All’s good. Did you ride your Vespa here today? Yeah? Great, just need to drive it over to the verification station out back, stay to the right, left is for the road test. One of the managers will complete the inspection and validation. Then come back here to my window. “
But of course, there were a few more final obstacles. The verification inspector Pablo needed to check three things: VIN, motor number, and California emissions compliance codes.
There was a metal plate with the VIN easily accessible on the front dashboard of the bike. However, Pablo needed to double-validate by finding the same VIN stamped on the frame somewhere. “People have been known to forge these riveted plates.”
Neither of us knew where to look, as the frame is covered by sleek Italian metalwork.
So once again I turned to my digital sidekick…”Where can I find the stamped VIN on my 2023 GTS 300 frame…” My trusty sidekick guided us: “Open the seat, pull out the storage bucket, you’ll find the VIN stamped on the frame just above the engine… “ Voilà. VIN stamped verified.
Next: The motor number. While I had previously found it stamped on the engine (it was needed to fill out the REG 343 form) , it was incredibly hard to read. The inspector and I took turns putting our heads on the pavement, looking up at the stamped letters and numbers while he shined his flashlight at just the right angle. Squinting, adjusting, We tried our iPhone cameras. “Is that a B or an 8?” Finally, we both agreed to what we saw. Motor number verified.
CA Emissions compliance codes? Found on another small plate tucked away near the engine, once again under the seat compartment.
Check, check, check.
I returned to the DMV counter, and Lisa said the magic words: “Let me get you your plates and stickers. And then you can head over to the license photo and written test area. Good luck with your exams.”
90 minutes after walking in, I walked out with everything I needed (well, a temp driver’s license… real one is coming in the mail along with the official CA title.)
CA plates, baby. I’m legal. Sometimes the stars align, the databases talk to each other, and wheels of bureaucracy actually mesh. Who knew?
This DMV adventure reminded me what fifteen years of coaching agile teams has reinforced time and again: success rarely comes from heroic solo efforts or ‘winging it.’ It emerges from the interplay of human connection (thank you, Shia, Jason, Lisa, and Pablo), technological assistance, and the willingness to persist through each bureaucratic layer rather than hoping to bypass the system entirely.
Sometimes leadership isn’t about charging ahead – it’s about pausing at 8 AM to question your assumptions, staying on hold while painting the molding, and trusting that even the most unlikely systems can occasionally mesh together like well-oiled gears. Every obstacle course, whether in the DMV or the C-suite, becomes navigable when we blend preparation with adaptability, technology with humanity, and patience with purpose.
