D.E.Bishop wrote:
First off, lets start with the Alpha/Numeric stuff. I have a DP plate, totally differ than the Alpha/Numeric quote, so that is out second, All vehicles classified as a pickup are licensed as a commercial vehicles except for ones with permanently mounted Campers.
You cannot register a vehicle designated as a pickup any other way.
There are no Temporary Permits to remove the Camper and haul anything. Permanent means just that.
If you remove the camper, the truck becomes a vehicle that in CA requires a commercial registration and commercial plate.
If you find DMV to difficult to work with, go to a CHP Office and ask a Patrolman(not trooper).
I think this sums it up pretty good. It is clear that there is no temporary permit and I'm taking a risk should I elect to just do it anyway. My plans have actually changed anyway so it isn't an issue now.
One interesting note... The "commercial vehicle" classification is another way the state and local governments screw you. I experienced this first hand when I parked the truck in front of my wife's parents house in Daley City (just South of San Francisco). I was in front of my wife's parents house but the neighbor complained to the city whom promptly came out and issued me a $350 parking ticket for parking a commercial vehicle on a residential street. By the city's logic, you aren't allowed to own and park a truck in front of your house.
I went and argued with the Police Sargent that my truck was not a commercial vehicle. Little did I realize that all trucks in CA where classified this way so I persisted. At this time the truck was still titled in Nevada so it wasn't a registration issue at all, just that the city considered my truck with a camper a commercial vehicle. After several minutes of heated back and forth, the Sargent finally gave in and took care of the ticket. Since that day, I avoid going to the city as much as possible.
