CA vehicle registration

[crumb]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA
I moved to CA about 4 months ago but left my motorcycle back in Utah until just recently and now I want to register it in CA. I have read mixed statements about the fees for registering vehicles late in CA. One place it said there will be a fee if the vehicle is not registered within 20 days of getting a job or registering to vote. Another place it said that the fee would be assessed if not registered with in 20 days of first bringing the vehicle to CA.

Does anyone know which situation will be applied to me since I just brought my bike here this weekend from Utah? Are they going to even believe me if I say I just brought it here?


--Andy

 

[Isis1]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA
I moved to CA about 4 months ago but left my motorcycle back in Utah until just recently and now I want to register it in CA. I have read mixed statements about the fees for registering vehicles late in CA. One place it said there will be a fee if the vehicle is not registered within 20 days of getting a job or registering to vote. Another place it said that the fee would be assessed if not registered with in 20 days of first bringing the vehicle to CA.

Does anyone know which situation will be applied to me since I just brought my bike here this weekend from Utah? Are they going to even believe me if I say I just brought it here?


--Andy

how did you bring it? was it shipped? or did you ride it back?

 

[crumb]

I pulled it in my trailer.

 

[I_Got_Banned]

You are supposed to get your vehicle registered within 20 days of your entry or establishing your residency....

So if you've been here for longer than 20 days, then you need to immediately register your motorcucle.

When fees are due
Fees must be paid within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties. Any vehicle owned by a California resident must be registered within 20 days of entry into California unless a special permit was obtained. Nonresidents whose vehicles are properly registered to them in their home state or jurisdiction 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).
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.

Source: California DMV HTVR9 - How To Register A Out-of-State Vehicle (Nonresident Vehicle)

 

[crumb]

You are supposed to get your vehicle registered within 20 days of your entry or establishing your residency....

So if you've been here for longer than 20 days, then you need to immediately register your motorcucle.



Source: California DMV HTVR9 - How To Register A Out-of-State Vehicle (Nonresident Vehicle)

As far as I know, you can't register a vehicle without it being physically present. They check it out at the DMV to make sure it matches the VIN #'s and other various things.

Any other insight?

 

[Isis1]

As far as I know, you can't register a vehicle without it being physically present. They check it out at the DMV to make sure it matches the VIN #'s and other various things.

Any other insight?

honestly, i've registered at least 5 different cars in my lifetime. not once have i ever been followed outside to my vehicle to have the VIN number checked. if that's policy, then every clerk i've come across is not doing their job.

 

[crumb]

When you register a vehicle in CA you go through an inspection at the DMV where a DMV employee fills out a form and signs it. One of the things they fill in is the VIN #. I registered my car a few months ago and that was the process.

 

[CourtClerk]

honestly, i've registered at least 5 different cars in my lifetime. not once have i ever been followed outside to my vehicle to have the VIN number checked. if that's policy, then every clerk i've come across is not doing their job.

Have you registered a vehicle that you purchased out of state? Because the process is a bit different from those of us who go down to the local Nissan dealer or do private party purchases inside of CA....

 

[I_Got_Banned]

As far as I know, you can't register a vehicle without it being physically present. They check it out at the DMV to make sure it matches the VIN #'s and other various things.

Any other insight?

And didn't you say that you had your motorcycle IN California? So take it to the DMV and register it!

As to whether they'll believe you or not, I highly doubt they'lll even ask you when you brought it in. Like I said, the fees that you pay to the DMV are the same regardless of whether you brought it in today or whether you have had it in your garage for a year.

The only time that you'll have to pay any additional fees, actually a fine, is if you are cited for driving your vehicle that is registered out of state when you have previously established residency in the state.

If you don't believe me, then you can call them @ 1-800-777-0133 and ask!

 

[CdwJava]

Here it is ....

* An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) (PDF) signed by all registered owners as they appear on the out-of-state registration and/or title. Enter the name(s) and address of the registered owner(s) and lienholder (legal owner), if any, and complete the questions on the application.
* Last issued out-of-state title. (Not required if there is no change of registered owner and a California title is not requested.) If the out-of-state title is not surrendered the California registration card issued will say nontransferable and a California title will not be issued.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.
* Last issued registration certificate or renewal notice for the current year or a letter from the last registration jurisdiction verifying the registration period.
* 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) (PDF) form for commercial motor vehicles (pickups with unladen weight of 8,000 lbs. or less are exempt from this requirement)
* Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Application Certification (REG 4017) (PDF).​

Yes, a VIN Verification will have to be done - we do them all the time ... they are a pain.

- Carl

 

[LSCAP]

The op was worried about the late fee.

I believe the fee would be for people who move into the state and continue to drive with the other state’s registration.
Theoretically; you could trailer a racing bike or car and use it on commercial tracks for years without a registration, then update it to qualify as “street legal” and register it without a late fee.

 

[LSCAP]

OOPS,
I just noticed that I_Got_Banned, beat me to the answer.
Sorry about that.