Consider the following: avoiding DMV back fees

[JimWilling]

The bike I bought cost me about $225. It had a 2006 registration sticker on its plate. "Ok, back fees shouldn't be astronomical. Like $200 perhaps?" I check online. None of the VIN number websites bring anything up for it. "Great, maybe it fell off the books." I'm not too convinced of that, but hey, it's my first bike, gonna be optimistic. I take it to the DMV.

"Bike hasn't been registered since 2002. Back fees will be $500."

Bricks were shat.

Needless to say, this was an unpleasant surprise. A guy I know in a machine shop mentioned something about getting a salvage title for the bike. Then reviving a salvaged vehicle, or something?

My question is essentially this: Can I somehow bypass these fees by getting the bike written off as worthless, then re-register it, after having fixed it up, and get it back on the books, minus these backfees?

Anyone ever heard of this? Or think it's possible? Anyone here work for my local DMV that I can take to dinner or something? Paying twice the purchase price for my bike is kind of a big turn-off.

[JimWilling]

For instance, something involving this:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr16.htm

And then registering it with this approach:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr4.htm

[DanTheMan]

I sure don't miss the CA DMV, it's penalties for late or expired registration is ridiculous. Here in MN, I don't have to plan for my vehicle to break down and file a certificate of non-operation to avoid being penalized for not buying the tabs for my plates when it isn't able to be driven. No smog checks either.
I never thought of the salvage vehicle title angle when I lived there, but you probably need to have bought it from a wrecking yard or recycling facility in order to do that. I'll bet you're just screwed and have to pony up the bucks if you want to register it, that's the way it worked way back when I acquired one of those hadn't been licensed in years jewels. I ended up using that vehicle for parts for another that I had. Of course, if you have friend or relative that lives out of state, they could register it in their name, have current registration on it then, and transfer the title back to you, and you will have sidestepped the CA mess.

[salty_monk]

Anything is possible I guess.... I think you have to wait 7 years for it to naturally fall out of the system.

Back fees in CA are harsh.

Maybe worth speaking to one of the "title services" companies. Search here & you'll find some ref's.

Possible they can get it registered in another state for you & then transfer it back here as current I think...

[BassCliff]

Hi,

This is why I will probably never purchase a vehicle without a title, unless it's just for parts.

Mr. salty_monk is right. You might try International Title Service (as noted in your "mega-welcome"). Fill out all their paperwork, including a bill of sale, and, for a fee, they are able to register a vehicle in some other state like Vermont. Then they'll send that registration package to you so that you can then register it in CA.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Octain]

Dont have to worry about any of that crap.
I love GA!!
Last bike I had registered cost me 42 bux, tag, title and registration till my NEXT birthday(14 mos away).

[Steve]

Dont have to worry about any of that crap.
I love GA!!
Last bike I had registered cost me 42 bux, tag, title and registration till my NEXT birthday(14 mos away).

Your next birthday is 14 months away?

How did you manage that?

.

[Octain]

Your next birthday is 14 months away?

How did you manage that?

.

LOL, na. My next one was 2 mos away. My next next one was 14 mos.
My registration was good till my 2112 birthday and it only cost me an extra 2 bux for some reason. And I've not even had a 2111 birthday yet.

(I didnt argue with the elderly lady behind the counter(in a small town)
I Love GA!!

[JimWilling]

Hi,

This is why I will probably never purchase a vehicle without a title, unless it's just for parts.

Mr. salty_monk is right. You might try International Title Service (as noted in your "mega-welcome"). Fill out all their paperwork, including a bill of sale, and, for a fee, they are able to register a vehicle in some other state like Vermont. Then they'll send that registration package to you so that you can then register it in CA.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

So I just have them register my bike in Vermont or wherever, then they send me the Vermont stuff, and I take it back to the DMV here in California and they say, "Welcome to the west coast, isn't it nice not paying any back fees on this?"

Sounds questionable and shifty. Worth a shot. Might have to track down whoever currently has the title.

[Ranger]

I tried taking any route I could, I ended up paying $468 for my registration even with the title. I'd say try going to AAA but they don't deal with that stuff here unless you already own the title.

[850GT_Rider]

California wants current registration on vehicles at all times, even if off the road and up on blocks in a garage?

So you can't fill out a "certificate of non-operation' or something similar and just say it's been parked or stored?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg102.pdf

[DanTheMan]

California wants current registration on vehicles at all times, even if off the road and up on blocks in a garage?

So you can't fill out a "certificate of non-operation' or something similar and just say it's been parked or stored?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg102.pdf

Only if you know ahead of the expiration and filed the certificate of non-operation first. Otherwise, it has to be currently registered (and supposedly insured) for the road. The certificate of non-operation can't be filed after the fact. Prior to 1980 (don't quote me, not sure on the date), there was no provision for non-operation, there had to always be valid tags or the penalties were there when you tried to bring the plates up to date.
On edit: just read the new forms, maybe now it's possible to have someone verify the non-operating status for you and thereby get out of the penalties, but the tags still have to be brought up to date, so if it's been 7 years of not being licensed, those 7 years still have to be paid off.

[Ranger]

Only if you know ahead of the expiration and filed the certificate of non-operation first. Otherwise, it has to be currently registered (and supposedly insured) for the road. The certificate of non-operation can't be filed after the fact. Prior to 1980 (don't quote me, not sure on the date), there was no provision for non-operation, there had to always be valid tags or the penalties were there when you tried to bring the plates up to date.
On edit: just read the new forms, maybe now it's possible to have someone verify the non-operating status for you and thereby get out of the penalties, but the tags still have to be brought up to date, so if it's been 7 years of not being licensed, those 7 years still have to be paid off.

You are correct

Filing for non-operational status

If you decide to place a non-operational status on your vehicle, you must do so on or before your vehicle’s registration expiration date.

and

Vehicles exempt from reporting operational status

Owners of historical vehicles, horseless carriages, and vehicles of special interest that are part of a collection and are not operated are not required to register or fi le for the non-operational status. (These vehicles are defi ned in Vehicle Code §§5004, 5004.5, and 5051.)
Other exempted vehicles include:

• Mopeds
• Vehicles with registrations which expire while in dealer or lessor/retailer inventory
• Vehicles with registrations which expire while being held for lien sale by an authorized towing company or parking facility
• Vehicles which are part of an apportioned or permanent fleet
• Special Equipment (SE) as defined in Vehicle Code §§245, 565, 570, and 575
• Unrecovered stolen vehicles
• Title Only vehicles that are currently located and registered in a state other than California

And your situation would be the same as you are in.

[tkent02]

Swap bikes with someone in Nevada.

[Clone]

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!