Trooper Mihm-Florida Highway Patrol
Trailer tag ripoff

I purchased a boat that I saw in boat trader in Lake county, Florida. Fl law requires the seller to send the tag back to the state when sold. I received a bill of sale, Tag receipt that was up to date. 5 miles from the sellers house I was pulled over by TRPR Mihm for no tag on the trailer. I produced all paper work and called the seller to bring the tag. Mihm stated that "it was not nessesary". He then wrote me a $116.00 ticket for no tag. He then stated " If I had purchased boat from a dealer they would have given me a temp tag". I am a lic. Boat dealer and in the state where I live, we have 20 days to register a boat and trailer. If this were not bad enough, he then stated "my tag on my truck was expired". He was holding in his hand a tag receipt, proof of Ins. The tag on the truck had up to date stickers. I then stated " is that black cloud over your head or mine?" Bottom line I paid the ticket. Beware, don't buy a boat from an individual in Fl. Unless you get the tag, then the seller broke the law. You may attempt to purchase a tag before you buy the boat inorder to be legal when you leave the seller, although you can't buy a tag for something you don't own. Catch 22. I called the dept of rev.in my county on my return. Yes my tag was up to date.

Company: Trooper Mihm-Florida Highway Patrol
Country: USA
State: Florida
City: Lake county
Site: flhsmv.gov

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