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Old 10-28-2016, 09:13 AM
 
1,068 posts, read 1,427,268 times
Reputation: 1205

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I am based in SFO for work but live in another state (commute in about every week or so). I did bring a car to CA so that I have wheels there (the rare times I am there). I'm still a resident of another state, obviously, since I don't live in CA.

Not sure how long my car will be in CA - could be a month, could be 4 months... Can I get away with keeping the old license plates so that I don't have to go through car registration in California? Or are they nazi about it and will fine me?


PS I work in travel industry and have moved between domiciles every 6 months on average, so this is pretty standard in the industry I'm in for those who wonder what I do
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Old 10-29-2016, 01:12 PM
 
24,325 posts, read 26,716,110 times
Reputation: 19745
If the car is going to be staying in CA then you are supposed to register it. However, it won't matter unless you get pulled over and if you do get pulled over just say you live out of state, you have no plans on moving to California and that your home state is the main storage of your car.

When I was in college in SF, I got pulled over and told the officer I live out of state, but he said if your car lives in California then you need to register it here, but I told him I drive back to my home state during the breaks and I have no plans to move to California. It worked.
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Old 10-29-2016, 01:16 PM
 
Location: TOVCCA
8,452 posts, read 14,955,669 times
Reputation: 12528
It's not just about the plate, but also about the drivers license.

Just so you know, if there is any emergency like an earthquake, a wildfire, a police action---anything that closes roads or streets---the fire or police personnel will NOT allow you to go to your dwelling without a California Drivers License which shows your address--- to keep out looky-loos or looters.
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Old 10-29-2016, 04:09 PM
 
1,068 posts, read 1,427,268 times
Reputation: 1205
I don't really have an address in CA. Just one of my cars(the one I use for work).
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Old 10-29-2016, 05:43 PM
 
28,107 posts, read 63,401,599 times
Reputation: 23222
Nothing may happen...

On the other hand you might get on the radar for unrelated tickets or the California anonymous reporting line...

If military... no problems
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Old 10-29-2016, 08:59 PM
 
244 posts, read 179,463 times
Reputation: 488
It's ok if you don't. We won't tell anyone
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Old 10-29-2016, 10:16 PM
 
1,068 posts, read 1,427,268 times
Reputation: 1205
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ultrarunner View Post
Nothing may happen...

On the other hand you might get on the radar for unrelated tickets or the California anonymous reporting line...

If military... no problems

I might fall under that, have to check. Thanks for heads up.
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Old 10-29-2016, 10:47 PM
 
10,920 posts, read 6,860,772 times
Reputation: 4942
Quote:
Originally Posted by bmw335xi View Post
If the car is going to be staying in CA then you are supposed to register it. However, it won't matter unless you get pulled over and if you do get pulled over just say you live out of state, you have no plans on moving to California and that your home state is the main storage of your car.

When I was in college in SF, I got pulled over and told the officer I live out of state, but he said if your car lives in California then you need to register it here, but I told him I drive back to my home state during the breaks and I have no plans to move to California. It worked.
If one lives primarily in another state for the majority of the year (more than 6 months), I don't think you need to register it in CA. After all, it wouldn't make much sense to register it here if the car resided the majority of the year in another state - so I honestly see no argument for it.

Same argument for getting a license here - if you live more than 6 months of the year somewhere else, I see no argument for changing your residency to CA.

At the end of the day, it's really about intent. If you intend to stay in CA and eventually make it your home - then there's some argument there. But if it's just a place you'll be working, and you'll be commuting in every once in a while, then I see no reason to register things here. After all, that wouldn't really technically reflect the reality of the situation. It's kind of similar to the student argument - although not quite the same since with the student situation you are actually here more than 6 months of the year...


It's pretty simple, really. If one is pulled over, you just tell the officer that.
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Old 10-31-2016, 05:58 PM
 
2,088 posts, read 1,947,382 times
Reputation: 3167
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flavia84 View Post
I am based in SFO for work but live in another state (commute in about every week or so). I did bring a car to CA so that I have wheels there (the rare times I am there). I'm still a resident of another state, obviously, since I don't live in CA.

Not sure how long my car will be in CA - could be a month, could be 4 months... Can I get away with keeping the old license plates so that I don't have to go through car registration in California? Or are they nazi about it and will fine me?


PS I work in travel industry and have moved between domiciles every 6 months on average, so this is pretty standard in the industry I'm in for those who wonder what I do
Are the out of state plate/inspection tabs up to date? If so, you're probably ok. If not, you may have issues.
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Old 10-31-2016, 06:02 PM
 
Location: Riverside Ca
22,146 posts, read 33,227,113 times
Reputation: 35433
For the most part where you live gets patrolled by the SAME cops. Out of state plates stand out. The "I only came here to visit" will only work maybe once or twice, before they write you a ticket.
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