Ticket for unlicensed vehicle

[BahdKo]

I live in Frederick County, Virginia. On January 16, I used the Virginia DMV's website to renew my vehicle's license, paid for the renewal online, and printed out the "web receipt" as instructed. The receipt said that I would receive my registration materials (decals for my tags and registration cards to carry with the vehicle) within 5 business days. The materials did not arrive as promised, and on February 8th, while my vehicle was parked in Loudoun County, I was written a ticket for it being unlicensed. When this happened, I went to the DMV and showed them my "web receipt", and they gave me a set of decals for my tags. Much later, in the second week of March, the original registration materials finally arrived at my address in Frederick County. Unfortunately, I do not see a postmark on the envelope, but I kept it and the decals.

I already have a hearing date set for this (May 24th). I would like some input as to how this is likely to go down. If I learn that I am likely to lose, I intend to call the Loudoun County Treasurer's office and cancel the hearing.

The position I intended to take is that I am not guilty of putting an unlicensed vehicle on a public road; my license fees were paid, my vehicle was legally licensed according to the DMV records, and I was waiting for my promised registration materials to arrive.

Thanks for your time,

--Laura

 

[stephenk]

your argument is valid. take the web receipt, etc. to court with you.