Do I need an AZ driver's license to register my car here?

[magnum0417]

Originally Posted by unit731

I am no lawyer.
But I do know of many snowbirds who do this all of the time.
Is it legal?
Depends on where and how long car is "garaged" in AZ.
I don't think that the driver's license is so important but the car registration/emissions/insurance do matter more.

If you are a permanent resident then all should be Arizona.

I believe DMV's requirements are 7 months/year to be required to register as an AZ resident. Snowbirds circumvent this by living here for 6 months and 29 days before leaving in May so they can drive around here with their Alberta and Iowa plates with no issues.

[Steve Pickering]

You would be correct, but this is a California Resident trying to cheat the system in California. It has nothing to do with Snowbirds.

If you read the OP's other posts, you will see they are making a hobby out of cheating the system wherever they go.

[zolck510]

I'm not sure how I'm cheating the system. If the state of Arizona will allow me to register a vehicle without requiring me to hold an Arizona driver's license, then it's totally within legal limits for me to do so. My question was, is that actually the case or do I have to establish residence in AZ? Because if the latter is the case, then I'll just not register in AZ because I have no intention to actually live in AZ.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by zolck510

I'm not sure how I'm cheating the system. If the state of Arizona will allow me to register a vehicle without requiring me to hold an Arizona driver's license, then it's totally within legal limits for me to do so. My question was, is that actually the case or do I have to establish residence in AZ? Because if the latter is the case, then I'll just not register in AZ because I have no intention to actually live in AZ.

If "no intention to actually live in Arizona" then what would be your "legitimate" reason or reasons to register your vehicle in Arizona . . . Emission Testing, Taxes or . . . ?

Just curious, Zolck . . . where is the vehicle being garaged? More to the point, where does your insurance company "believe" the vehicle is being garaged?

[observer53]

Originally Posted by zolck510

I'm not sure how I'm cheating the system. If the state of Arizona will allow me to register a vehicle without requiring me to hold an Arizona driver's license, then it's totally within legal limits for me to do so. My question was, is that actually the case or do I have to establish residence in AZ? Because if the latter is the case, then I'll just not register in AZ because I have no intention to actually live in AZ.

One usually registers a car where it is being driven, on at least a partial year basis. You are planning to register a car in Arizona in order to circumvent California's more stringent emissions standards (and perhaps higher fees), and then drive it in California as a California resident. While you might be able to register it here, you may also get reported in California for being a resident and driving an out of state registered vehicle. And, the cure for that is to register it in California (there's probably a fine involved too).

What's technically legal in AZ may not pass muster in CA. It's their system you are cheating.

As far as your original question, why don't you just call the Arizona DMV and ASK?

[Steve Pickering]

Originally Posted by zolck510

I'm not sure how I'm cheating the system. If the state of Arizona will allow me to register a vehicle without requiring me to hold an Arizona driver's license, then it's totally within legal limits for me to do so. My question was, is that actually the case or do I have to establish residence in AZ? Because if the latter is the case, then I'll just not register in AZ because I have no intention to actually live in AZ.

That would be cheating the system. if you can't see that, we can't help you.

[Gandalara]

Originally Posted by observer53

You are planning to register a car in Arizona in order to circumvent California's more stringent emissions standards (and perhaps higher fees), and then drive it in California as a California resident. While you might be able to register it here, you may also get reported in California for being a resident and driving an out of state registered vehicle.

And California has a program to report scofflaws.

Report Vehicles with Out-of-State License Plates to the CHP

[tgauchsin]

Originally Posted by zolck510

I'm not sure how I'm cheating the system. If the state of Arizona will allow me to register a vehicle without requiring me to hold an Arizona driver's license, then it's totally within legal limits for me to do so. My question was, is that actually the case or do I have to establish residence in AZ? Because if the latter is the case, then I'll just not register in AZ because I have no intention to actually live in AZ.

Good luck. You are one ticket away from being nailed. California will get you if you do any of the following:

• Accept gainful employment in California.
• Claim a homeowner's exemption in California.
• Rent or lease a residence in California.
• Intend to live or be located here on a permanent basis (for example, acquire a California driver license, acquire other licenses not ordinarily extended to a nonresident, registered to vote).
• Enroll in an institution of higher learning as a California resident or enroll their dependents in school (K-12).

How To Register A Vehicle from Out-of-State (Nonresident Vehicle)

[zolck510]

In number of months, my car spends about 3 in CA, 2 in UT, 2 in CO, 2 in TX, 2 in BC (Canada), and the other 1 getting to/from those places in a year. It's just that it still needs to be registered somewhere and I really don't care where, be it Alabama or Montana. CA would have been the simplest because at least I have a PO Box there. Anyway, the car is better than expected and I got CA tags yesterday. Thanks for all the love.