DMV question re; renewal of registration and smog check (insurance, unemployment)

[tireeskye]

Hi all,
I've tried to find the answer on the DMV site but with no luck.
So, this spring i'll need to renew my registration but it's also a smog check year.
I'm "wintering" elsewhere and may not be able to make it back to California in time.
If it wasn't a smog check year i could just renew on-line.
Does anyone know if i can get a smog check (or the equivalent) in another state and file it with the CA DMV via mail so that if i can't get back to CA in time, i can renew my registration from out of state?
Probably not huh?

[TimC2462]

Pay your registration fees to avoid late penalty. They'll send you a letter saying they will withhold renewing your registration until you pass a smog check.

[tireeskye]

Originally Posted by TimC2462

Pay your registration fees to avoid late penalty. They'll send you a letter saying they will withhold renewing your registration until you pass a smog check.

That sounds smart.
Of course i'll be driving illegally and may get stopped and penalized for that.
So i assume that you're saying there's no way to get and show the CA DMV an out of state smog check?

[DMenscha]

I actually had a similar situation in the past. I couldn't get my truck to pass smog, but paid the registration fee anyway. It went into an "incomplete registration" status. No new sticker was issued and I got stopped and cited by the CHP for no tags. Went to court and pointed out in the vehicle code where it says it's OK to drive with an incomplete registration. Judge dismissed the case and was about to impose a $10 dismissal fee. I said "Your honor, the reason I couldn't smog the truck was because I was poor. Now you're going to assess a fee on a person for being right , but poor?"

He dismissed the fee as well.

[tireeskye]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

I actually had a similar situation in the past. I couldn't get my truck to pass smog, but paid the registration fee anyway. It went into an "incomplete registration" status. No new sticker was issued and I got stopped and cited by the CHP for no tags. Went to court and pointed out in the vehicle code where it says it's OK to drive with an incomplete registration. Judge dismissed the case and was about to impose a $10 dismissal fee. I said "Your honor, the reason I couldn't smog the truck was because I was poor. Now you're going to assess a fee on a person for being right , but poor?"

He dismissed the fee as well.

Very good.
So if i get stopped and the CHP'r want's to give me a ticket, i'll mention that part of the vehicle code ... and bat my eyes at him.
It may even work.

[DMenscha]

Good luck on that, my ticket was issued by a female CHP officer and batting my eyelids didn't work at all.

[cb73]

Originally Posted by tireeskye

Hi all,
I've tried to find the answer on the DMV site but with no luck.
So, this spring i'll need to renew my registration but it's also a smog check year.
I'm "wintering" elsewhere and may not be able to make it back to California in time.
If it wasn't a smog check year i could just renew on-line.
Does anyone know if i can get a smog check (or the equivalent) in another state and file it with the CA DMV via mail so that if i can't get back to CA in time, i can renew my registration from out of state?
Probably not huh?

If you are actually out of California at the time your renewal is due, submit your renewal fees along with a Statement of Facts printed out from the DMV web site. Check the box in Section B, Smog Exemption, and state where you are currently located.

You must also complete a change of address form showing where you are currently at. Your completed registration card and sticker will be mailed to you.

When you return to California, change your address back to your California address and complete your SMOG check.

[tireeskye]

Originally Posted by cb73

If you are actually out of California at the time your renewal is due, submit your renewal fees along with a Statement of Facts printed out from the DMV web site. Check the box in Section B, Smog Exemption, and state where you are currently located.

You must also complete a change of address form showing where you are currently at. Your completed registration card and sticker will be mailed to you.

When you return to California, change your address back to your California address and complete your SMOG check.

Very good .... Thank you.

[steel7]

I know a guy whos tags expired 9/10. He has not stopped driving his car & has not been stopped yet & he drives all over redlands, yucaipa & surrounding area. Hhes very lucky to have not been red lighted yet + he has no valid auto insurance. He owes about $250.00 in dmv fees & penalties. Hes out of work & his unemployment has ran out. His family helps him out every month Just so he can pay rent, utilities, food & gas. I wonder how long his luck will continue ? Its been 5 months so far. A few yrs back i had a chance to buy a clean smog exempt 83 mercedez diesel & i didnt. Big mistake. Smog checks in ca should be every 4 yrs but that wont happen cause its bilions less for the state & puke legislature to waste.

[tireeskye]

Originally Posted by steel7

I know a guy whos tags expired 9/10. He has not stopped driving his car & has not been stopped yet & he drives all over redlands, yucaipa & surrounding area. Hhes very lucky to have not been red lighted yet + he has no valid auto insurance. He owes about $250.00 in dmv fees & penalties. Hes out of work & his unemployment has ran out. His family helps him out every month Just so he can pay rent, utilities, food & gas. I wonder how long his luck will continue ? Its been 5 months so far. A few yrs back i had a chance to buy a clean smog exempt 83 mercedez diesel & i didnt. Big mistake. Smog checks in ca should be every 4 yrs but that wont happen cause its bilions less for the state & puke legislature to waste.

I spent my youth driving illegally ... uninsured, often unregistered.
I was always keeping an eye out for cops. It got to the point where even when i was walking, i'd jump inside when i saw the law 'cause i was so used to feeling "illegal".
I can't deal with that kind of paranoia anymore.
I hope your friend's luck continues but the price he may have to pay if caught might be more than the money spent to make the car legal.
I don't like to spend the annual auto fees but i gotta say, if it's helping the environment, to me it's worth it.
What's the state doing with all of that money anyway? besides wasting it.