70 Individuals Cited in Major Crackdown On Unlicensed Car Dealers.

Business/News Editors

Officials of the California Department of Motor Vehicles say a major crackdown on unlicensed vehicle sales in San Bernardino County -- the largest law enforcement operation of its type ever conducted in the Inland Empire -- is sending a loud and clear warning throughout the state that anyone operating as a car dealer in California without a DMV dealer's or salesperson's license is risking arrest and prosecution.

Last Saturday and Sunday (June 22nd and 23rd) and the previous Saturday (June 15th), a multi-agency law enforcement task force conducted sweeps of unincorporated areas outside the cities of Fontana and Bloomington to halt sales by unlicensed vehicle dealers. The sweeps were expected to continue this weekend (6/29 & 6/30) and once or twice every month until the illegal car sales are ended.

During the previous two weekends, citations were issued to approximately 70 persons accused of conducting unlicensed car sales. Anyone who sells multiple vehicles belonging to third parties or buys and sells cars for profit without a DMV dealer license is violating state law.

Persons cited were mostly unlicensed dealers. A few salespersons were licensed but were violating the law by selling cars away from their regular dealership. One dealer had a "wholesale only" license but was selling retail. Those cited were ordered to appear for arraignment at the San Bernardino County Superior Court in Fontana at a date to be determined by the district attorney.

The crackdown was prompted by a letter sent to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors by several licensed auto dealers in the Fontana and Bloomington areas, requesting enforcement action. Previous attempts by individual government agencies to control the situation were unsuccessful. So major sweeps are now being conducted by the multi-agency task force, consisting of DMV investigators, California Highway Patrol, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino County Code Enforcement, Fontana Police Department, and City of Fontana Code Enforcement.

"We hope this major crackdown will end the problem of unlicensed car dealers in these areas once and for all," said John McClellan, Deputy DMV Director for Licensing Operations. "We will continue the sweeps until it is clearly understood that unlicensed car dealers will not be tolerated. Licensing protects car purchasers from fraud, rip-offs and unscrupulous sellers who often dump inferior vehicles on unsuspecting buyers and then disappear into the night when victims try to complain. Illegal car sales often involve unsafe, wrecked salvage vehicles or stolen cars. We at DMV take very seriously our responsibility to protect purchasers." McClellan said unlicensed sales are also unfair to nearby, licensed dealers who abide by the law and pay license fees.

Officials said the unlicensed car dealers involved in the weekend sweeps were selling used vehicles primarily to immigrants looking for inexpensive vehicles. Customers are attracted mainly by word-of-mouth. The unlicensed dealers congregate on private property within sight of heavily traveled thoroughfares. Some locations had as many as 20 or 30 vehicles for sale. Among the locations raided by the task force during the past two weekends are Foothill Boulevard at Hemlock Avenue, Valley Boulevard at Cypress Avenue, Valley Boulevard at Cedar Avenue, and Cedar Avenue at Santa Ana Avenue.

The maximum penalty for operating as an unlicensed car dealer is six months in county jail and/or a $1,000 fine for each illegal sale.

The California DMV licenses drivers; maintains driving records; registers and tracks official ownership of vehicles and vessels; investigates auto and identity-related fraud; and licenses car dealers, driving schools, and traffic violator schools as well. The Department is under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and Secretary Maria Contreras-Sweet. For more information on the DMV, visit the department's Web site at www.dmv.ca.gov.