[MV] California Registration Question (Long)
Gary Pavone (gpavone@thegrid.net)
Sat, 4 Sep 1999 16:05:41 -0700
If you are a California resident and bring a vehicle from out of state you
have 30 days in which to register it here. If you are just moving to
California and are bringing vehicles from another state you have 10 days to
register them AFTER establishing residency. Establishing residency consists
of buying or renting a residence in California or getting a job in
California. Vehicles that meet Federal Emission Standards may be brought
into California as long as the sticker is intact. You have to pay a $300
penalty for the privilege however. Vehicles with a California Emission
sticker do not have to pay that fee. A VIN verification has to be done by a
law enforcement officer or DMV employee also. If your MV doesn't have a
readable VIN the nice officer won't varify it.They will direct you to the
California Highway Patrol or to the DMV to get it straightened out. If your
vehicle is over 25 years old you are exempt from emission regulations.
Vehicles newer than 25 years are required to get a California smog check.
Commercial vehicles are also required to be weighed. In California a
commercial vehicle is any truck unless it has a camper or similar residence
on the back that is permanent. Pick-ups, flatbeds, etc. are all commercial
vehicles here.
The good news is that old vehicles don't cost much to register after the
initial hit. My '53 M38A1 is only $43 a year and NO smog check required. A
word of advice...When you fill out the "Application For New Registration"
form there is a spot for the value of your vehicle. If your MV is worth a
fortune now isn't the time to boast about it. The original cost of the MV is
all they are looking for. If you don't know that then put down how much you
paid for it originally. This amount is what they use to calculate your
yearly registration fee. Also, don't low ball them. Most DMV employees know
the value of even obscure vehicles. If you put down that your museum quality
Command Car is worth $2500 they will know you're full of it.
I hope this helps. I'm not an expert on California registration, I just have
a lot of cars.
Gary Pavone
gpavone@thegrid.net
ICQ# 5369101
MVPA# 19394
MCA# 43889
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