Dune Buggy Registered By Sage McGirk
Saturday, September 12th, 2009
Sage McGirk was at VaDuneBuggy on this Saturday morning. Sage was excited that his dune buggy was finally ready and begged his close friend Jake to accompany him to the DMV. The only DMV open on a Saturday was on Pantops Mountain in Charlottesville Virginia which was a 45min drive and closed at noon. Reluctantly Jake agreed because he was familiar with the Charlottesville CSC tendency to have VERY long lines and unfriendly tellers.
At the reception desk, Melissa Bishop gave Sage various forms to fill out including the VSA-17A application for title. Sage filled out his papers and realized he had forgotten his bill of sale. Jake wrote one up on the back of a business card while they were seated.
After waiting for hours, Sage’s number was finally called and Melissa Bishop took his paperwork. She saw that the MCO had “ATV” as the body style and took the paperwork into the back area. Upon returning, she read part of VAC 46.2-100 stating:
“All-terrain vehicle” means a three-wheeled or four-wheeled motor vehicle powered by a gasoline or diesel engine and generally characterized by large, low-pressure tires, a seat designed to be straddled by the operator, and handlebars for steering that is intended for off-road use by an individual rider on various types of unpaved terrain.
Sage showed a picture of his dune buggy to DMV Clerk Melissa Bishop. She said the definition didn’t fit and agreed that the vehicle was a dune buggy and started typing on her terminal. She said she started typing in “Dune Buggy” as a body style and it came up before she even finished typing. Melissa Bishop then continued processing the application.
Bill of Sale Rejected @ Cville DMV
Melissa Bishop asked for payment of $310.05 as well as a copy of his Bill Of Sale. Sage the one on the back of a Va Dune Buggy Business card and she took it down the hall. Returning, she stated that her “manager wouldn’t allow her to accept that as a proper Bill of Sale.” She went on to tell Sage that if it was a “Used” vehicle, a hand written Bill of Sale would be adequate but because he listed the condition as “New”, regulations stated that the bill of sale must be an official sales receipt on company letterhead. She returned the forms to Sage telling him to come back Monday with a BOS on letterhead and they will finish the processing. Sage indicated that he lives in FairFax and the only reason he came to the Charlottesville DMV is because it is Saturday. Sage pointed out that his address on the VSA 17A showed FAIRFAX and there’s no way he can come back on Monday.
Jake offered to deliver the paperwork to Madison DMV on Monday with the proper bill of sale on letterhead and she said that would be fine and told me to make sure I filled out a power of attorney form. Sage and Jake left the Charlottesville DMV.
Body Style "Dune Buggy"
Notice that the front of Sage’s application for title shows “Dune Buggy” as the body style.
Rear of Title Application
On the rear of the application you can clearly see Melissa Bishop’s stamp as “Paid #…”, “SEP 12 2009″, “CHV-612″ which has been crossed out by the Madison CSC clerk who replaced it with her own stamp.
Sage McGirk’s signature fills the “Signature of Applicant” block on the VSA-17A.
Melissa Bishop Affidavit
Affidavit/Statement
Melissa Bishop – Charlottesville DMV Clerk
Refers to Sage McGirk’s visit to the Charlottesville DMV on 9/12/09.
June 18th, 2010 – Preliminary Hearing
Jake Davis appeared before Judge Braxton. Commonwealth Attorney George Web put statement on record that “The Commonwealth concedes that the buggies are in fact dune buggies even though the MSO says ATVs and can be registered for street use through the specially constructed or reconstructed vehicle process.”
Judge Braxton dismissed the two felony charges of providing false statements to obtain a DMV document in the case of Sage McGirk’s paperwork.
