Registering vehicle out of state (from CA)

Bansh88

Bansh88

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Wife and I were discussing registering at least one of our vehicles out of state.  1: saving money. 2: screwing California. 

What are the pro's and con's of doing this?  Even possible anymore with physically still living here?

What's the biggest hurdle to do it?  We have friends & family in Arizona, Montana and Tennessee that could assist with "residency".

 
I heard Montana is the easiest. (For RV's anyway). Not sure if vehicles apply the same. Peace

 
Been thinking the same but here in CO (boulder county). Try looking in to south dakota, a friend registered his MG there so he didn't have to jump through hoops to smog it here, and I registered a dirt bike there through the mail/phone. We both agreed it was cheap/easy, so when I am forced to give up my SC reg I'm probably going that route.

 
Bansh88 said:
Wife and I were discussing registering at least one of our vehicles out of state.  1: saving money. 2: screwing California. 

What are the pro's and con's of doing this?  Even possible anymore with physically still living here?

What's the biggest hurdle to do it?  We have friends & family in Arizona, Montana and Tennessee that could assist with "residency".
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You just need an address and a seperate insurance policy, I am moving our last 2 cars to AZ reg(BHC) when they're next due. My last truck as AZ as were both of our trailers

 
I see California addressing lost revenue /  environmental impact related to out of state vehicles very soon.

I'm thinking they’ll be some kind of form / registration that you’ll have to get to operate an out of state vehicle in Cali. It’ll probably be “free” for a specified time with a stipulation of 3 two week passes a year (example).

I'm thinking the “stick” would be increased fines for traffic violations including possible towing of the vehicle for habitual offenders for minor shiz like parking tickets.

This will be done under the guise of protecting the environment from vehicles that aren’t subject to strict state emissions regulations. The main goal though is backfilling California’s coffers which is a sexy issue for the majority of California voters.

RVs & Boats are more insulated from State Government reach. For cars (daily drivers) the juice is probably not going to be worth the squeeze. 

 
BaBaBouy said:
I see California addressing lost revenue /  environmental impact related to out of state vehicles very soon.

I'm thinking they’ll be some kind of form / registration that you’ll have to get to operate an out of state vehicle in Cali. It’ll probably be “free” for a specified time with a stipulation of 3 two week passes a year (example).
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This is already in place in CA.  IIRC the time frame was 60 days or 90 days.  its been a long time since I looked into it.  

In fact there is/was a team here in San Diego that is/was explicitly devoted to out of state tags.  with the large military presence Im sure it was simply a money grab. 

 
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I'm fine with my daily drivers being registered in CA but my motorhome is a different story. CA needs to figure out a different registration system. The registration on my Jeep was $500 and something that I drive daily. My motorhome was up over $1,000 and I put maybe 5k to 6k miles on it a year and most of those aren't even in CA. As soon as you guys figure it out, let me know.

 
You'd need a driver's license to match or end up with large fines if you get pulled over.

 
Bobalos said:
This is already in place in CA.  IIRC the time frame was 60 days or 90 days.  its been a long time since I looked into it.  

In fact there is/was a team here in San Diego that is/was explicitly devoted to out of state tags.  with the large military presence Im sure it was simply a money grab. 
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Yep. I was talking about next level shiz under the guise of Climate Change. Past enforcement was more or less passive.

 
wapawekka said:
I'm fine with my daily drivers being registered in CA but my motorhome is a different story. CA needs to figure out a different registration system. The registration on my Jeep was $500 and something that I drive daily. My motorhome was up over $1,000 and I put maybe 5k to 6k miles on it a year and most of those aren't even in CA. As soon as you guys figure it out, let me know.
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Im guessing the biggest difference with the MH is your paying by the LB (GVW). 

 
I just did this with my TBSS. Family home in Havasu.

Grabbed a copy of electric bill.

Walked into DMV, paid $280 for 5 year registration (was $290 for the year in CA).

Walked out in 10 mins with temporary plate in hand.

Had to shop around for insurance, but landed on State Farm for $500 for year. AAA here in CA was $540 year, but wanted $900 for AZ.

Still have CA DL. If they pull me over, the vehicle is registered to family home in AZ where it spends most of its time, but I have it here in CA temporarily to work on it. I still have a daily driver registered in CA. 

Could not have been easier, and now I have an American flag AZ plate with the word "FREEDOM" in big bold font across the bottom. 

 
High Sierra Dad said:
It costs me six hours worth of work for the year, to register EVERY vehicle and toy I own, in California.

I understand the principle, but would prefer to put the effort into relocating than creating a reason for CA to come after me (which they will).
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must be nice, my truck is an 05 1 ton and the reg was still $580 this year... CA sucks 

 
Several months ago, CHP had their volunteers drive through neighborhoods near the 5 freeway (maybe other freeways too) looking for out of state plates. Several people I know got letters from the state to register in CA. No possible way to enforce it though if they have no proof of another out of state residence unless you get pulled over several times. 

 
Sean@Weddle said:
I just did this with my TBSS. Family home in Havasu.

Grabbed a copy of electric bill.

Walked into DMV, paid $280 for 5 year registration (was $290 for the year in CA).

Walked out in 10 mins with temporary plate in hand.

Had to shop around for insurance, but landed on State Farm for $500 for year. AAA here in CA was $540 year, but wanted $900 for AZ.

Still have CA DL. If they pull me over, the vehicle is registered to family home in AZ where it spends most of its time, but I have it here in CA temporarily to work on it. I still have a daily driver registered in CA. 

Could not have been easier, and now I have an American flag AZ plate with the word "FREEDOM" in big bold font across the bottom. 
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Crazy how much more insurance is in AZ than Ca for a vehicle, any idea why?

 
A montana LLC is the easiest.  I know a lot of people who own ultra expensive exotic cars and they all do the same  (CA sales tax on a Laferrari ain't cheap). 'They' do not get harrassed, but they have unlimited funds for a lawyer if it becomes an issue.  

I registered my Monster Manx in a MT LLC for street plates/smog/tax reasons.  So I have a plate for it and no sales tax - BUT no one wants to insure it......... :(

 
Orange_R said:
must be nice, my truck is an 05 1 ton and the reg was still $580 this year... CA sucks 
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Ya, we're thinking the new 2500 is gonna be about $1,000 out of pocket to the CA government to piss away on tranny flags and illegal aliens.  Way more than I make in 6 hours.

I need to keep a CA driver license for work but my wife doesn't. 

 
I would be thinking about resell, if you are the type of person that flips your vehicles a lot, the next Ca purchaser kind of gets the shaft.  Inspections and DMV hassle.  I know a lot of people that have done Montana thing, a lot no longer do it for some reason, I have never asked?  

 
Cookie said:
I would be thinking about resell, if you are the type of person that flips your vehicles a lot, the next Ca purchaser kind of gets the shaft.  Inspections and DMV hassle.  I know a lot of people that have done Montana thing, a lot no longer do it for some reason, I have never asked?  
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@Bansh88 still has the Banshee he rocked as a 12 year old.  I think he's gonna be buried in that truck... :biggrin:

 
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