Motor Home Registration Havasu

[zhandfull]

Anyone have any insight on what it would cost to register my 1999 diesel pusher in Havasu? Thinking about switching over from California.

 

[BoatCop]

I had a 1999 34' Southwind. I think it was less than $100. That was 4-5 years ago, so you're probably looking at around $80.

 

[LakeMead Boater]

Just registered my 2000 Safari diesel and it was $135 total for 5 years.

 

[hallettheck]

Are you switching due to the California CARB smog testing requirement?

 

[zhandfull]

Are you switching due to the California CARB smog testing requirement?

That and hopefully lower registration and insurance cost. Think it was $460 last time I registered in CA

 

[BoatCop]

That and hopefully lower registration and insurance cost. Think it was $460 last time I registered in CA

If you do register it in AZ, just know that you will not be able to legally drive it in California.

 

[One2go]

If you do register it in AZ, just know that you will not be able to legally drive it in California.

Curious why, why can’t someone from Arizona travel in californa ?

 

[zhandfull]

Curious why, why can’t someone from Arizona travel in californa ?

You can travel in California. But apparently it’s frowned upon to drive a vehicle register out of state in your own name if a California resident.

There seems to be a few loopholes. Company vehicles and/or driving someone else’s vehicle that has been registered in another state.

 

[BoatCop]

Curious why, why can’t someone from Arizona travel in californa ?

If a vehicle is owned by a California resident, California law requires that the vehicle be registered in CA, if it is ever to be brought into California. It is illegal (Misdemeanor Criminal Offense) for a California resident to operate a vehicle OWNED BY HIM/HER within California, unless said vehicle is registered in CA.

I presume that the OP is a California resident with vacation property in AZ, as that is the usual situation for those who want to change vehicle registration to AZ, based on their (or their brother's ex-wife's cousin's Havasu) vacation address.

A person can only be a "resident" of one state at a time. They could own property/houses in every one of the 50 states, but can only declare one of them as their primary residence.

 

[One2go]

If a vehicle is owned by a California resident, California law requires that the vehicle be registered in CA, if it is ever to be brought into California. It is illegal (Misdemeanor Criminal Offense) for a California resident to operate a vehicle OWNED BY HIM/HER within California, unless said vehicle is registered in CA.

I presume that the OP is a California resident with vacation property in AZ, as that is the usual situation for those who want to change vehicle registration to AZ, based on their (or their brother's ex-wife's cousin's Havasu) vacation address.

A person can only be a "resident" of one state at a time. They could own property/houses in every one of the 50 states, but can only declare one of them as their primary residence.

Oh. Got it. Thanks

 

[propcheck]

Just do it. Fk California and the Carb rules if you get two years with out a ticket you will have saved more than the cost of a ticket. We have one coach with California plates in our group and he is just leasing it from his company

 

[BoatCop]

Just do it. Fk California and the Carb rules if you get two years with out a ticket you will have saved more than the cost of a ticket. We have one coach with California plates in our group and he is just leasing it from his company

It's not so much CARB requirements, but the loss of Vehicle license tax and registration fees. Saying "Just do it" can lead to any or all of the following.

1. Ticket (you mentioned), however as this is a Misdemeanor offense, can result in arrest and jail. (Not saying it WILL, but it's on the table)
2. Vehicle impounded, racking up towing/storage fees. (won't be released until #3 is complete)
3. Past due reg fees, taxes, penalties, interest, fines, etc. etc. etc.

Their law grants the citing Agency (CHP, SO, local PD) 1/2 of the court fines, to encourage them to enforce this law. When my wife was going to her mother's in Hemet, 2-3 times a month, she would be stopped by Hemet PD at least once a month, as her car (with AZ plates) spent a lot of time parked in her Mom's driveway, at the local Dr's. Office, market, etc. She would tell me that she would often see Hemet PD stop in front of her house and write down (presumably) the address and License plate number.

I'm pretty sure most states have similar laws, (AZ does) but California takes the penalty to a new level.

 

[Havasu blue label]

Oh. Got it. Thanks

You have a 7 days and it’s in transit

 

[Wizard29]

It's not so much CARB requirements, but the loss of Vehicle license tax and registration fees. Saying "Just do it" can lead to any or all of the following.

1. Ticket (you mentioned), however as this is a Misdemeanor offense, can result in arrest and jail. (Not saying it WILL, but it's on the table)
2. Vehicle impounded, racking up towing/storage fees. (won't be released until #3 is complete)
3. Past due reg fees, taxes, penalties, interest, fines, etc. etc. etc.

Their law grants the citing Agency (CHP, SO, local PD) 1/2 of the court fines, to encourage them to enforce this law. When my wife was going to her mother's in Hemet, 2-3 times a month, she would be stopped by Hemet PD at least once a month, as her car (with AZ plates) spent a lot of time parked in her Mom's driveway, at the local Dr's. Office, market, etc. She would tell me that she would often see Hemet PD stop in front of her house and write down (presumably) the address and License plate number.

I'm pretty sure most states have similar laws, (AZ does) but California takes the penalty to a new level.

You have 20 days to register the vehicle after first operating it in California. Meaning it has to be proven the vehicle has been in California for 20 days. That is likely what Hemet PD was doing and is key to this whole issue.

I don't think I'd do this with a daily driver, but for a vehicle that isn't driven frequently and is generally parked out of public view, it'll be fine. The more it is visible, the more likely it'll be a problem.

Some alternatives:

- Change your license to AZ as well unless you need it to be CA for some reason. That makes it harder and almost impossible for the regular street cop to prove you actually live in CA.

- Consider registering the motorhome to your wife or someone else you trust who won't ever drive it. CA may have closed this loophole, but I had a friend who registered his motorhome in Oregon in his wife's name. He got pulled over and nothing could be done about it because he wasn't the registered owner. This would have also required proving the motorhome was in the state for more than 20 days.

- Consider registering the motorhome to a business if you have the ability to do so. Again, you aren't the registered owner, so not much can be done. I have several friends that do this with the Montana LLC deal.

I'm sure CA has done or is doing all they can to close the loopholes, so one should research thoroughly before doing the second or third option above. To me, the first option is the best if you have the ability to change your license state.

Such a shame we have to play these games. If CA wasn't so fucked up and would just be reasonable about fees and requirements instead of trying to screw everybody, people wouldn't need to be getting creative about how to screw the state back.

 

[Dalton]

You have 20 days to register the vehicle after first operating it in California. Meaning it has to be proven the vehicle has been in California for 20 days. That is likely what Hemet PD was doing and is key to this whole issue.

I don't think I'd do this with a daily driver, but for a vehicle that isn't driven frequently and is generally parked out of public view, it'll be fine. The more it is visible, the more likely it'll be a problem.

Some alternatives:

- Change your license to AZ as well unless you need it to be CA for some reason. That makes it harder and almost impossible for the regular street cop to prove you actually live in CA.

- Consider registering the motorhome to your wife or someone else you trust who won't ever drive it. CA may have closed this loophole, but I had a friend who registered his motorhome in Oregon in his wife's name. He got pulled over and nothing could be done about it because he wasn't the registered owner. This would have also required proving the motorhome was in the state for more than 20 days.

- Consider registering the motorhome to a business if you have the ability to do so. Again, you aren't the registered owner, so not much can be done. I have several friends that do this with the Montana LLC deal.

I'm sure CA has done or is doing all they can to close the loopholes, so one should research thoroughly before doing the second or third option above. To me, the first option is the best if you have the ability to change your license state.

Such a shame we have to play these games. If CA wasn't so fucked up and would just be reasonable about fees and requirements instead of trying to screw everybody, people wouldn't need to be getting creative about how to screw the state back.

when I had a to get a CA DL, they let me put my AZ address on it, is this still a thing?

 

[Wizard29]

when I had a to get a CA DL, they let me put my AZ address on it, is this still a thing?

Not sure. I'd think that if it's a CA license, that's where the vehicles should be registered regardless of the address that's on it.

 

[propcheck]

It's not so much CARB requirements, but the loss of Vehicle license tax and registration fees. Saying "Just do it" can lead to any or all of the following.

1. Ticket (you mentioned), however as this is a Misdemeanor offense, can result in arrest and jail. (Not saying it WILL, but it's on the table)
2. Vehicle impounded, racking up towing/storage fees. (won't be released until #3 is complete)
3. Past due reg fees, taxes, penalties, interest, fines, etc. etc. etc.

Their law grants the citing Agency (CHP, SO, local PD) 1/2 of the court fines, to encourage them to enforce this law. When my wife was going to her mother's in Hemet, 2-3 times a month, she would be stopped by Hemet PD at least once a month, as her car (with AZ plates) spent a lot of time parked in her Mom's driveway, at the local Dr's. Office, market, etc. She would tell me that she would often see Hemet PD stop in front of her house and write down (presumably) the address and License plate number.

I'm pretty sure most states have similar laws, (AZ does) but California takes the penalty to a new level.

I am not saying it is not illegal, and it cannot turn out bad but it is a decision we all make based upon our willingness to accept risk.
As for your wife's situation you illustrated it is a perfect example of why people say Fk cops. That city is a crime ridden hot steaming mess and instead of busting their asses to truly keep the public safe they waste resources hunting an x cops wife for a bullshit misdemeanor. Now if your wife was visiting Irvine I can understand a traffic misdemeanor there can land you on the 10 most wanted list.
Like you said it is a tax and revenue issue so it matters that the government gets there cut but in the grand scheme of it all it does not make society safer if a motorhome is register in one state or another.
Ok I have to go now and drive my lifted,tinted,modified vehicle five miles an hour over the speed limit cuz I am a gangster
Disclaimer: I do not hate cops, even the ones in my family

 

[evantwheeler]

I am not saying it is not illegal, and it cannot turn out bad but it is a decision we all make based upon our willingness to accept risk.
As for your wife's situation you illustrated it is a perfect example of why people say Fk cops. That city is a crime ridden hot steaming mess and instead of busting their asses to truly keep the public safe they waste resources hunting an x cops wife for a bullshit misdemeanor. Now if your wife was visiting Irvine I can understand a traffic misdemeanor there can land you on the 10 most wanted list.
Like you said it is a tax and revenue issue so it matters that the government gets there cut but in the grand scheme of it all it does not make society safer if a motorhome is register in one state or another.
Ok I have to go now and drive my lifted,tinted,modified vehicle five miles an hour over the speed limit cuz I am a gangster
Disclaimer: I do not hate cops, even the ones in my family

Well said. Hit the nail right on the head.

 

[Done-it-again]

Just do it. How many 45’ 5th wheels travel to glamis over weight and no one gets pulled over.

 

[LakeMead Boater]

Just do it. How many 45’ 5th wheels travel to glamis over weight and no one gets pulled over.

And with a standard class C license…

 

[zhandfull]

Haven’t ridden my XR650L for two years and forgot to register it last year. Just paid $260 to cover penalties and place it in non-op status.

Also have a China motorcycle that was my grandsons. It’s also behind. Don’t think you can even get a non op on an off-road registration. I have exceeded the cost of purchase paying taxes and registration for the last five years on that plié of shit.

I’m over paying the DMV anything I don’t have to in California.

Actually have covered storage for the RV in Arizona. Think that’s going to be the new home base for it.