Angelenos, do you pay for your car registration online or at the DMV? (Pasadena: camping, live)

[West of Encino]

I've never paid online and the DMV is the last place I would want to go to. Apart from the rude employees and long lines, time's a pain.

What's the difference of paying for the registration online vs the overcrowded DMV? Which DMV office in LA County is less crowded?

[CA4Now]

If your car doesn't require a smog check, can't you just mail in a check? I haven't been to the DMV in years. (They're all crowded.)

[Fontucky]

You mail off the check in both smog and non-smog test years. The smog compliance (or not) is handled via the test station's computer system. I haven't been to the DMV office since I moved from OC to Fontana in 04.

[Lovehound]

I recently had to register a camping trailer and pick-up truck I purchased so I joined AAA specifically so that I wouldn't have to stand in line at DMV. It was well worth the $50 or so for membership, especially considering it would have taken two trips to DMV since the two were a few weeks apart. I'll also have the benefit of roadside service and free maps when I start my camping saga next year.

When renewing I always just send a check. It's crazy to stand in line unless you have to.

[1200RT]

Why anyone would go into a DMV office to pay a registration is beyond me (unless required, of course). Pay online or by mail, if possible.

I always pay online.

As for which office is less crowded in LA? I don't think theres an answer to that. Culver City sucks. Santa Monica sucks slightly less.

[nickdahammer]

Yeah, always a check. Any other DMV business I take care of at the downtown AAA.

[Twinkle Toes]

I have AAA and I do everything I can through them. When I do have to actually go to DMV (had to go in Sept. to renew my DL) I ALWAYS make an appointment. Even with the appointment you still have to wait, but the wait isn't as long.

[cowboyxjon]

I'm obviously not in CA anymore but when I lived there, I paid my registration by mailing a check.

[ladoll]

Except for when I initially registered my car in California, I have always paid by mail.

I have found the DMV in Pasadena on Rosemead to be good, but I can't really compare it to any other DMV offices, as it's the only one I have gone to. I have always made appointments (I had to go twice, due to the fact that my previous car did not have the sticker in the inside door with the VIN number on it, so it had to be inspected by the CHP) and never had to stand in line too long because of that. Both times I was only there for an hour, tops (and probably less than that).

[VLWH]

Online.... Less than five minutes and I'm done.