Well, for those of you who have read and commented on my previous post concerning getting our new mh registered in California....Good News.Today, we FINALLY received the new plates and registration papers that we applied originally for back in August. After seven trips to local DMV, two trips to Bakersfield DMV, untold amount of phone conversations with Sacramento DMV, and two coach inspections by DMV agents....the mailman presented us with the fruits of our perseverance. However, it seems that they are having problems reimbursing us the duplicate $1800 registration fees that they insisted on during our first visit to the local DMV even tho I pointed out to them that we had included the registration fees with the initial purchase. We bought the coach in Oregon, and the papers list the fee as a "Title Fee" and the CA DMV agent said that was different than "Registratrion Fee". Well, of course it was the same and Sacramento finally admitted that it was and that they would refund us the total duplicate. That was back in September and now they're saying it will have to go through their Sacramento accounting department and that we should receive a check in three to four weeks.I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE OUT OF STATE....I don't care what it costs me!Anyway, one hurdle down, one to go.Ron

California has always been unfriendly to residents buying vehicles out-of-State, or bringing in vehicles from out-of State. The laws of the past have been the result of lobbyists for California car dealers. Until the late 90's, out of State vehicles were hit with a $300 Smog Fee. The CA Supreme Court finally called it an illegal tax and DMV was order to refund millions. More recent, was a 7500 mile rule, which meant a new vehicle bought, or brought in from out of State, couldn't get registered (beget some exceptions) until it was a used vehicle at 7501 miles. Now that 7500 rule just applies to "49 State" vehicles that need to be CA smog certified. Once upon a time, if you brought a vehicle in from out of State, and it couldn't pass a CA smog check the very first time, you were given a 72 notice to remove the vehicle from California. Regardless of changes in recent years, CA DMV will put you threw a lot of hoops when it comes to emigrating a vehicle. The main drive to keep Californians from buying out of State vehicles, is the fact that, California vehicles sell new or resell used 7-20% more dollars than the rest of the country.

Took me over 3 years to transfer my late mother's car into my name, and 6 months to get title on our MH.I think I'm about due for a long, slow root canal.

Uh-oh... last week I sent my "packet" in for registration via mail. We qualify for a boe 111 hope it doesn't drag out too long.

Hope you didn't pay by Credit Card :E

CA Registration only took 7 months..... | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

cpaulsen
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Wow......I must be lucky! Bought my last truck and 5th wheel in Oregon and many other vehicles in Oregon when I lived in Ca. Never had a problem. The last truck and 5th wheel had both licensed within 3 days with the plates in them.
Also....took one trip to DMV and about 20 minutes to get the late MIL's car to our name....no smog or extra money for anything except the title transfer.
Gonzo42
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
If at all possible, use the auto club for registration. After 3 years and uncountable trips to the DMV which decided to charge me more money and demand more paperwork on each visit, the auto club made it work.
navegator
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
California is unfriendly to everybody even to Californians!!!!

navegator
TOOBOLD
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
We bought in Arizona and it took us 3 trips to the DMV. The first one I didn't know I had to have the trailer with me. I didn't have to pay any further tax as we had already paid in Arizona and they have reciprocity. After I should up the first time I wasn't in a rush to go back. We ended up getting everything taken care of at a San Diego DMV while on vacation.

Did you go to the F Street or the Southwest DMV? I'm surprised they didn't know there are a ton of RV/Trailers in this area. My first DMV trip was to the Inglewood DMV. Not the mecca for RV's.

Our second out of state purchase was flawless as we knew what to do and it was from an individual not a dealer this time, so I had to cut them a big check for "use tax."
MrOldman
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Another good reason why I would move to California to live! Also is there anything they don't tax you on?
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Mar 25, 2014
Hope you didn't pay by Credit Card :E
tsetsaf
Explorer III
Mar 25, 2014
Uh-oh... last week I sent my "packet" in for registration via mail. We qualify for a boe 111 hope it doesn't drag out too long.
Gonzo42
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Took me over 3 years to transfer my late mother's car into my name, and 6 months to get title on our MH.

I think I'm about due for a long, slow root canal.
Moderator
Moderator
Mar 25, 2014
Moved from ATC
paulm999
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
California has always been unfriendly to residents buying vehicles out-of-State, or bringing in vehicles from out-of State. The laws of the past have been the result of lobbyists for California car dealers. Until the late 90's, out of State vehicles were hit with a $300 Smog Fee. The CA Supreme Court finally called it an illegal tax and DMV was order to refund millions. More recent, was a 7500 mile rule, which meant a new vehicle bought, or brought in from out of State, couldn't get registered (beget some exceptions) until it was a used vehicle at 7501 miles. Now that 7500 rule just applies to "49 State" vehicles that need to be CA smog certified. Once upon a time, if you brought a vehicle in from out of State, and it couldn't pass a CA smog check the very first time, you were given a 72 notice to remove the vehicle from California. Regardless of changes in recent years, CA DMV will put you threw a lot of hoops when it comes to emigrating a vehicle. The main drive to keep Californians from buying out of State vehicles, is the fact that, California vehicles sell new or resell used 7-20% more dollars than the rest of the country.

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CA Registration only took 7 months.....

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