info you need to know when moving to LA!

[darylwi]

Emissions testing is only done in 5 parishes in Louisiana, around BTR. So the test is $10 in Louisiana, but in BTR it's $18. And heaven help you if you fail.

[mezzogirl]

Originally Posted by TNRyan23

Many states still require vehicle emissions...

Delaware; District of Columbia; Hawaii; Louisiana; Maine; Massachusetts; Mississippi; Missouri; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; North Carolina; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; and West Virginia have emissions testing to my knowledge...

Add Georgia to the list and it is $25 for the test.

[Rainbow Island]

I suggest talking with local officials and explain to them that you just didn't know or go to court and fight it. What part of Louisiana do you live?

[tbayle]

We live in Boyce. Our address is Boyce, but really we are in Gardner () It is out Hwy. 28 west from Alexandria. I may go to the court, but I do realize ignorance of the law is no excuse. I am afraid that's what they may say. I jsut dont' know why when we were going around getting the licenses and tags and doing everything we thought we were supposed to do no one bothered to mention a $10 test we needed to go get.

[Rainbow Island]

Originally Posted by tbayle

We live in Boyce. Our address is Boyce, but really we are in Gardner () It is out Hwy. 28 west from Alexandria. I may go to the court, but I do realize ignorance of the law is no excuse. I am afraid that's what they may say. I jsut dont' know why when we were going around getting the licenses and tags and doing everything we thought we were supposed to do no one bothered to mention a $10 test we needed to go get.

I'd fight it to the end. If you make enough waves on the water, you will get some satisfaction. Been there, done that, and got the tee shirt. Don't let them *********. Ignorance would be the case I'd make. If you didn't know, you didn't know. I was going home from Shreveport a while back. A car passed me and pulled over right in from of me. The guy then seen a state trooper and hit his breaks. I almost hit him because of his stupid act. I was so mad. Next thing I knew, I was pulled over and getting myself a driving award for following too close. Really, really mad now. By the time I got through talking to everybody big enough to listen in Webster parish that had anything to do with police matters, They where glad to tear up that ticket just to shut me up. And when the state police called to get there annual donation, I explained to them that they would never get another dime out of me. Screw em !!!

[GoreeGal]

If you retain a home you own in another state can you legally keep that drivers license and plates and move to LAfayette to work. How the heck would they know if the tags and license were from same state. You could be visiting. Seriously how would they know. Is there any legal way they could find out different. That way you would not have to pay the high licensing fee. Only trouble I guess is if you have to have a smog cert from that other state every 4 years you could only play the game so long.

[ILUVMAINE]

Originally Posted by tbayle

We live in Boyce. Our address is Boyce, but really we are in Gardner () It is out Hwy. 28 west from Alexandria. I may go to the court, but I do realize ignorance of the law is no excuse. I am afraid that's what they may say. I jsut dont' know why when we were going around getting the licenses and tags and doing everything we thought we were supposed to do no one bothered to mention a $10 test we needed to go get.

Okay, I'll give you some warning about court! Do NOT admit to doing anything wrong! I went to court and fought a speeding ticket - they claimed I was doing 50 in a 35. When the judge asked me what speed I thought I was going I said it certainly wasn't 50! (not to mention the cop was standing on the side of the road with his hand in his pockets - no way he could have been holding the radar gun) of course, I didn't say this to the Judge. I told the Judge that I wasn't going much over 30, maybe 34 or 36 AND WHAM he said you're guilty! He said since I was under oath, I had admitted in court to going 36 in a 35 zone! Yes, Louisiana is different!!!!! I paid the $300 fine and wanted to tell them what to do with it - AND it wasn't to use for revenue! Off topic - sorry! Now, back to your situation. If you go to court to fight it, very respectfully tell the court that since relocating to Louisiana, you contact the Louisiana Department of Motor Vehicles and you were told that within 90 days (or whatever it is) that you needed to transferred your car tags and get a new drivers license. Then go on to explain that where you came from, a state inspection was not required on vehicles, and it wasn't until the officier pulled you over were you alerted to such. Do not mention anything about ignorance of the law, etc. They hate that stuff! Be very humble and most of all honest. Then, post on the forum how things turn out. Good luck!

[darylwi]

Originally Posted by GoreeGal

If you retain a home you own in another state can you legally keep that drivers license and plates and move to LAfayette to work. How the heck would they know if the tags and license were from same state. You could be visiting. Seriously how would they know. Is there any legal way they could find out different. That way you would not have to pay the high licensing fee. Only trouble I guess is if you have to have a smog cert from that other state every 4 years you could only play the game so long.

I think Louisiana law says you have to register within Louisiana within 30 days or some crap. But I've know too many people that had dual residency and they didn't register because the auto insurance is much cheaper and they don't have emissions testing (like in Mississippi). Of course they pay a little more in registration fees but I think ours will go up soon enough as well.
Many states in the south near us don't have emissions testing, MS, AL, FL, parts of GA and TN, only limited parts of east TX. But I think emissions testing is the least of most people's worries. I know I miss $99 car insurance (for a six month premium). Not to mention, last I checked, MS inspection was still only $5 (not like they actually check anything anyway, you just buy the sticker). And AL has no inspection sticker program.
In the recent past, LA legislators have been trying to introduce bills to do away with the safety inspection here as well. I just remembered though, State Police actually receives nearly 50% of the inspection fee (roughly $5). So I think it's a major part of their funding as well. That may be why they don't just do away with it here, not yet at least.