Pending Master File
San Jose, California.
When a cop runs someone's plate or VIN, usually it comes back "clear current" but sometimes it comes back "pending automated app" or "pending master file". Any idea what those return codes mean?
A plate or VIN with these types of "returns" or info usually just means the car was recently bought/sold and the new owner hasn't completed all of the required DMV paperwork, or they have but the DMV master file hasn't updated to reflect the new change of ownership;
Most common example:
You sell your old Toyota to Bob down the street; You send the DMV a "release of liability" and Bob goes down to the local DMV office with the title and a bill of sale and goes about the process of getting your old car into his name. In the meantime, if the DMV has your release of liability on file and Bob is still trying to work out an issue with say, maybe a new smog or proof of insurance, license problems, etc, the VIN and plate info will reflect this.
If your old VIN or Plate is ran, it would sound something like this: "No wants locally or NCIC, current on a 1988 Toyota to a John Smith, showing a release of liability and a pending master file record to a Bob Roberts, etc etc... Just DMV lingo to let officers know that Bob is in the process of getting the car into his name and that you are no longer liable for anything that Bob might go out and do in your old car. Hope this helped answer your question.
