Consider the following: avoiding DMV back fees

[tkent02]

Let me see if I got this right. If a vehicle hasn't been registered/used for a couple of years, just sitting there doing nothing. When you go to register the vehicle you need to pay registration for those years it was not in use?

That seems really f**ked up!

It's a California thing, you wouldn't understand.
What I don't understand is why anyone would choose to live there.

[DanTheMan]

Let me see if I got this right. If a vehicle hasn't been registered/used for a couple of years, just sitting there doing nothing. When you go to register the vehicle you need to pay registration for those years it was not in use?

That seems really f**ked up!

Yep, that's CA vehicle code law. They WILL get their pound of flesh, and yours too. You thought the IRS people were nasty and bad, the CA DMV beauracracy has been in existence since the early 1900's and have perfected many legal ways to either get the money out of your pocket, or keep you from using your favorite vehicle if there were a couple of years it had to sit parked and unuse. Of course, some neighborhoods will even ticket the vehicle if it can be seen in your yard or driveway unused for a period of time, because now it's unsightly junk.

[JimWilling]

So it does sound like I can actually get the bike registered in another state where there are no back fees, then re-register it in California. The trick though, is to bring it up to date cheaply, then move it back here. I wonder if the DMV will notice if I transfer the title at a CA DMV office, register it in Vermont, then re-register it shortly thereafter in CA again.

I also wonder if they really care. Or if that's even illegal. Thoughts?

[Ranger]

So it does sound like I can actually get the bike registered in another state where there are no back fees, then re-register it in California. The trick though, is to bring it up to date cheaply, then move it back here. I wonder if the DMV will notice if I transfer the title at a CA DMV office, register it in Vermont, then re-register it shortly thereafter in CA again.

I also wonder if they really care. Or if that's even illegal. Thoughts?

Its fraud if you don't actually have a VT drivers license within 30 days of registering it there and you can be prosecuted when trying to transfer. They're cracking down on it. I had an issue when I was going to transfer my trucks reg to washington to avoid a $560 a year fee.

You have to consider that you're a resident here and have to have the bike registered here within a few days of bringing it across the state line which basically you would be saying you were doing.

[laserred97gt]

Gotta love the "left" coast. Stupid laws made by stupid people.

I guess you have to pay for all of that gang violence and unducumented person healthcare somehow though...

To be fair, Illinois is not much better. I only live here because this is where my job and family are.

I would choose almost any other state to live in.

[ukilme]

Danm, and I thought my messed up VIN number at the DMV was a pain in the ass.

The VIN was only a partial at the DVM. I had to change it.

I am glad I am not in CA.

[GSexpress]

Some states, like here in NV require an inspection of the bike to title or register. So you'll have to find a state that won't require that. Or transport the bike as well.

[makenzie71]

If I recall correctly Georgia does not require any inspection for out of state title transfers. Register the bike Georgia. Then register it in CA.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Do you have any relatives in another state ? Registering it in another state is your only option, besides paying the ridiculous fees. Wait a year and then reg in Mexifornia

[DanTheMan]

Transfer it to a relative you can trust out of state, register it there, keep that plate and registration for 30 days, then have him sign the title over to you (he could do this the day he registers it, sending it back to you), then take the paperwork to the DMV and register it in CA. If you had a relative here in MN it would be easy. They do require the engine # and VIN for title here in MN, but that's no big deal.

[Octain]

If I recall correctly Georgia does not require any inspection for out of state title transfers. Register the bike Georgia. Then register it in CA.

Actually they do.
County's finest has to come to your home to run the VIN. You then carry that form to the DMV and proceed from there.
This applies to out of state titles or non titled bikes over a certain age

[JimWilling]

Well, I got an uncle in Tennessee. And a raging desire not to give this state more money. So I'll look into it.

[Skateguy50]

got to love these "laws" not much you can do than play the game with them, but it is interesting how quickly local and even state governments overstep the line and test the waters for what the public will accept.

here in Massachusetts a story in the news was a lawyer fighting a law that makes you pay $25 to be seen before a clerk to fight a ticket and another $50 to be seen before a judge saying basically it is taking away our right to due process where the fees could cost as much or more than the ticket. My last one was free for the clerk and they reduced the $100 ticket to $10 and it would cost me $25 to take it the next step, I paid the $10 knowing it would suck for my insurance but bad enough losing half a day of work for saving $90.

Anyways till people push it up the courts nothing changes and until a politician or lawyer has to deal with the laws nothing ever seems to get done lol

[RHODESIA SMITH]

eh you blokes live in a strange country when it comes to all of the state laws ect- we have different provinces that are have thier own political premeriers that in charge, but the national law is the one that is generally used. Our licence system is not as complicated , but is still none the less frustratingly difficult to get the correct information and can become quite complicated,and expensive for the likes for registrations.
A clever solution used in our bike club by one member who insists on riding BSA's is to have 1 number plate, 1 licence disc and 1 set of papers ( title?) for a whole lot of bikes,at most only two of them are road ready- and only one is ridden on the road at a time anyway- the rest are spares and junkers ect. Cops here cant be bothered to read engine numbers and all that melaki , so as long as they see a disc and a plate you're ok, they will not go looking further....... ah sometimes the potholes and fuel shortages are not so bad afterall!!

[rustybronco]

A clever solution used in our bike club by one member who insists on riding BSA's is to have 1 number plate, 1 licence disc and 1 set of papers ( title?) for a whole lot of bikes...

Over here it's what we call a 'community plate'.
B.T.D.T.