Quote:
Originally Posted by Skywagon
DO NOT try this in California! As far as I know, ANY vehicle that is in the state of California for longer than twenty consecutive days Must be registered in CA. YES, that means that if you spend three weeks in Ca. on vacation, on the twenty first day your vehicle (and you yourself if you have an out of state drivers license), are here in violation of CA law! The state
of California has no sense of humor regarding this!
I have a friend who has a ranch in Hamilton MT and a home in Carmel, CA and a CA D.L. He got stopped last Summer for a minor traffic infraction here in CA and he had a CA D.L. and a MT registered pickup, and when the cop asked him how long he had been in CA, he said five weeks. Even though he lives and owns property in MT, he had to pay a huge fine and register his truck in CA. Then he had to take it back to MT (where it lived) and re-register it in MT. All this cost him THOUSANDS of dollars!. California, which I love and have lived in for 63 years, positively sucks when dealing with the government. ( This sort of sounds like the tirade I was on about the Canadian Government a few days ago; sorry!)
Bill
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Bill, this doesnt sound right...
Have you read the law(s)?
From the California DMV site:
How To Register A Nonresident Vehicle
Definition of a nonresident vehicle
A nonresident vehicle was last registered outside the state of California. Anyone who brings a vehicle into California, or purchases a nonresident vehicle while in California, should be aware of the registration requirements.
NOTE: California law prohibits importing and/or registering a new vehicle with less than 7,500 miles at the time of purchase unless it meets or is exempt from California Emission standards. If you acquire a 49-State vehicle (manufactured for all states except California) from another state or country, you may not be able to register your vehicle in this state.
Reference:Health & Safety Code Section 43151(A)
When fees are due
Commercial vehicles and any vehicle owned by a California resident must be registered upon entry into California unless a special permit was obtained. Visitors whose vehicles are properly registered to them in their home state may operate their vehicles in California until they:
Accept gainful employment in California.
Claim a homeowner's exemption in California.
Rent or lease a residence in California.
Intend to live or be located here on a permanent basis (for example, acquire a California driver license, acquire other licenses not ordinarily extended to a nonresident, registered to vote).
Enroll in an institution of higher learning as a California resident or enroll their dependents in school (K-12).
Fees must be paid within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties.
NOTE: Nonresident military personnel stationed in California or their spouses may operate their vehicles with valid out-of-state license plates from their home state or the state where the military person was last stationed.
Fees must be paid within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties.
Registering the vehicle
The following is required to register a nonresident vehicle:
An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) signed by all registered owners, showing the name and address of the lienholder (legal owner), if any.
Last issued out-of-state title, unless held by the lienholder/legal owner (This applies only if there is not a change of registered owner.)
Last issued registration certificate, if the applicant is the same as the registered owner shown on the out-of-state title and the vehicle entered California with valid out-of-state registration, or if the title has been lost.
Bill of Sale if the person from whom you are buying the vehicle purchased it from the registered owner shown on the title.
Odometer disclosure statement signed by the seller and buyer if the vehicle is less than ten model years old.
The vehicle must be inspected by an authorized DMV employee, law enforcement officer, or a licensed vehicle verifier. These inspections are most easily obtained by bringing the vehicle to the nearest DMV, where there is no extra fee charged for the inspection. For faster service, make an Appointment(s) .
Smog certification, if applicable
Weight certificate, if applicable
Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (REG 4008) form for commercial motor vehicles (pickups with unladen weight of 8,000 lbs. or less are exempt from this requirement)
Appropriate Fees