A Brief History
On August 14, 1893, some idiot in France dreamed up motor vehicle registration. I wonder how long it took for someone to dream up long irritating lines…
Digging Deeper
Question for students (and subscribers): How long have you had to wait in line when registering a motor vehicle? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more on this topic, please read:
Cook, Harold A. Michigan motor vehicle registration history, 1896-1976. The author, 1976.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="11596 https://www.historyandheadlines.com/?p=11596">27 Comments
Yes we can definitely thank this person for the long lines we now wait in.
As it is unfortunate to have such long lines, vehicle registration is a crucial aspect of today’s transportation.
I just want to know what led this person to dream up such a thing. Like one day, someone actually thought “I should invent vehicle registration…” I definitely do not think that this is one of the most innovative achievements of the nineteenth century, but its something.
While I think vehicle registration does cause a lot of headache, it is something that is definitely useful.
Motor Vehicle registration is definitely not something to look forward to.
Pro Tip: when you enter the DMV, grab a number then leave. Get some lunch in the area for 60-90 minutes then return to the DMV. Your number will be close to being served.
Waiting is for suckers.
Ugh….. the DMV….. come on France what were you thinking.
I do actually agree with Dana and think vehicle registration is useful. I do find it strange however that someone came up with that concept. I wondered what triggered them to do so… Also I never knew vehicle registration dated back to 1893.
Over the past year I have had to wait in far too many DMV lines, one even lasting up to an hour long!
Wasn’t 1893 a little soon to invent motor vehicle registration? It does have its perks though. Without it, someone could steel a vehicle and there would be no proof who was the owner and who was the thief.
Shocked it dates back to 1893, but honestly France invented something that we really do not want for a change.
Although motor registration is a necessary evil, I do agree that the lines are ridiculous. Maybe a better system could change the negative feelings we have towards the DMV.
Thank you to France for making everyone pay for alittle tiny sticker on your car so that you do not receive a ticket. The idea of vehicle registration is genius for a business man and a money maker. For the everyday driver this is frusteraring and another pointless expense.
Motor vehicle registration changed the business of cars completely. This invention created an entirely new dynamic to owning your own car. As Frank mentioned, the costs involved with registering motor vehicles can get pricey.
Hilarious that this is an article! Shame on that person! LOL
I am shocked that motor vehicle registration dates back to 1983. That seems early to me. Even though the lines are irritating, motor vehicle registration is necessary and useful.
This is something new that I learned. We can all thank France for motor vehicle registration that occurred in1983.
Although it is definitely a pain to get your car registered, this was a huge step in our history, making it possible for people to now own their own car. For how long people have been driving cars, its interesting that this started only in 1983.
There is nothing worse than waiting in line at the BMV. Although it is necessary to get your car and other vehicles registered it is always a pain in the butt.
The BMV may be my least favorite place to visit. Nothing ever goes according to plan when I go there.
Leave it to France to create something we all hate. But given all the perks owning a car has, I suppose the waste of time and money spent at the BMW is not that bad in retrospect.
That was quick, but I completely agree with this article.
It sucks, but it is needed.
We all have those really annoying things that we wonder who would ever create it. Now we know we can blame France for this.
The DMV gets so much hate these days! Is there a typo going around here? I see 1893 as the founding date but all these 1983 comments. Vive la France!
Favorite article yet, because of length. But I agree.
I agree with brandon, as well as the article.