Smog check if I'm out of state for school? (Sacramento: insurance, DMV)

[virtuoso735]

Hi all,

I have a question about the smog check requirement for California if I'm out of state of school. This year in order to register the car I need to get a smog check, but I am on the other side of the country. I have about 2 years left to go and plan to return to California with the car. The car I am using is registered under my parents. Is there a way to get around this without driving an unregistered car?

Thanks.

[Des-Lab]

Just do what a lot of people do: Get a license plate from Mexico. You can probably get one from a kiosk in TJ or Mexicali for a few bucks. Heck you can probably fish one out of the Salton Sea if you are lucky. That's how a lot of people who do live here dodge having to pay registration, insurance, and smog checks. They are "just visiting". Although on paper, that may be true, they all have a sibling, parent, or cousin that lives in Mexico that they use for an address.

And no one dares question it because to suspect a Mexican license plate of being a scofflaw and investigating is profiling and racist.

I've seen and read about people who were able to essentially drive for free for years or even decades using this method.

[virtuoso735]

Originally Posted by Des-Lab

Just do what a lot of people do: Get a license plate from Mexico. You can probably get one from a kiosk in TJ or Mexicali for a few bucks. Heck you can probably fish one out of the Salton Sea if you are lucky. That's how a lot of people who do live here dodge having to pay registration, insurance, and smog checks. They are "just visiting". Although on paper, that may be true, they all have a sibling, parent, or cousin that lives in Mexico that they use for an address.

And no one dares question it because to suspect a Mexican license plate of being a scofflaw and investigating is profiling and racist.

I've seen and read about people who were able to essentially drive for free for years or even decades using this method.

Not sure if serious...

And I'm not trying to dodge paying registration or getting a smog check. I would gladly get one if the ones done in other states are valid in California. It's just such a huge hassle to keep changing registrations or driving my car 4000 miles round trip to get a smog check.

[cb73]

Originally Posted by virtuoso735

Not sure if serious...

And I'm not trying to dodge paying registration or getting a smog check. I would gladly get one if the ones done in other states are valid in California. It's just such a huge hassle to keep changing registrations or driving my car 4000 miles round trip to get a smog check.

Actual answer:

Download the Statement of Facts (Reg. 256) from the DMV website. Fill out the top, check the box in Section B "the vehicle is located out of the state of California" and then on the back, in Section G (blank lines) state that you're in school, and when you and the car will be returning to California.

Your SMOG will be waived until the car returns. If you come back early, even for just a visit, get your SMOG done then. Otherwise plan to do it soon after you return for good.

This type of registration can't be done online. So you'll need to print out the form and mail it with your renewal form and check.

[cb73]

Originally Posted by Des-Lab

Just do what a lot of people do: Get a license plate from Mexico. You can probably get one from a kiosk in TJ or Mexicali for a few bucks. Heck you can probably fish one out of the Salton Sea if you are lucky. That's how a lot of people who do live here dodge having to pay registration, insurance, and smog checks. They are "just visiting". Although on paper, that may be true, they all have a sibling, parent, or cousin that lives in Mexico that they use for an address.

And no one dares question it because to suspect a Mexican license plate of being a scofflaw and investigating is profiling and racist.

I've seen and read about people who were able to essentially drive for free for years or even decades using this method.

Sadly, that is true. California CHP has a very successful Cheaters Program because people just love to turn in neighbors with out of state plates. Other states and Canada cooperate in sorting out residency, Mexico chooses not to.

[virtuoso735]

Originally Posted by cb73

Actual answer:

Download the Statement of Facts (Reg. 256) from the DMV website. Fill out the top, check the box in Section B "the vehicle is located out of the state of California" and then on the back, in Section G (blank lines) state that you're in school, and when you and the car will be returning to California.

Your SMOG will be waived until the car returns. If you come back early, even for just a visit, get your SMOG done then. Otherwise plan to do it soon after you return for good.

This type of registration can't be done online. So you'll need to print out the form and mail it with your renewal form and check.

Thanks for your answer. Will my request be denied if I will be gone for 2 more years?

[cb73]

Originally Posted by virtuoso735

Thanks for your answer. Will my request be denied if I will be gone for 2 more years?

No. Part of the money paid is for tearing up California roads and you're tearing up somebody's else's roads. So don't worry about it.

Just do the renewal on time, include the form. You'll be fine. Lots of people do this for school or job assignments, so the DMV is used to it.

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by cb73

Sadly, that is true. California CHP has a very successful Cheaters Program because people just love to turn in neighbors with out of state plates. Other states and Canada cooperate in sorting out residency, Mexico chooses not to.

When you get your vehicle hit by someone with out of state plates and the CHP tells you tough luck as they do not have a current address to find your hit and run. Your view on this changes quickly.

[cb73]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

When you get your vehicle hit by someone with out of state plates and the CHP tells you tough luck as they do not have a current address to find your hit and run. Your view on this changes quickly.

Apparently I worded it badly. I fully support the Cheaters Program. I've been in the commute with people daily that obviously live here, and have seen business vehicles advertising their Sacramento business running out of state plates. If you live here, register here.