Question on Getting WA License Plates (Seattle: lawyer, apartment complex, work)

[slackgeek]

Originally Posted by VeronikaW

This is the reason my husband and I got WA plates on our cars right away (within the legal 30 day limit).

V. =)

So to shift off topic for a minute, how does that work, anyway? We did not get WA plates on my boyfriend's car because we just paid our CA registration that was due in June (one month before we moved here). My registration is due in October so I intend on getting WA plates shortly. We just drove back down to CA to get my car 2 weeks ago (left it at my parents house because my boyfriend did not feel comfortable towing it on the Uhaul - so he drove the truck and I drove his car).

I know legally you are suppose to do it within 30 days of moving, but that's pretty crappy that we just paid CA registration and now we have to pay WA registration. My boyfriend refuses, he says he will wait until the tags expire to get WA plates, unless he can get reimbursement from CA.

[scirocco22]

I have the answer for you slackgeek.

Legally, you have to abide by the law and Washington is pretty strict about it. You already said you realize that you have 30 days to get plates once you move to Washington. The fact that you already paid for almost a full year in California is not Washington's concern. However, you can get reimbursement from California.

You can even apply online. Here's the form:

https://mv.dmv.ca.gov/isr/refundapp.do?

When you get to #11, just choose the one that says:

"I am requesting a refund of vehicle/vessel license fees for a vehicle/vessel that left California and was registered in another state before the registration expired and renewal fees became due. This vehicle/vessel was registered in another state on
/ / *."

I'd really urge your boyfriend to do it this way because the penalties for not registering your vehicle 30 days after becoming a resident are steep from what I hear. I've also heard that it is a misdemeanor offense but I'll have to check on that one ...of if anybody else knows, they can comment.

--'rocco

[scirocco22]

It sounds as if --and I’m not a lawyer-- that if you fail to register your vehicle once establishing residency, it’s a traffic infraction.

If it’s done with intent to evade the payment of any tax or license fee imposed in connection with registration, then it’s a gross misdemeanor punishable by jail time.

Either way, it’s a $529.00 fine.

Is it worth it just because of laziness of not wanting to apply for the California refund? I’ll let you make the decision.

RCW 46.16.010: Licenses and plates required — Penalties — Exceptions.

--’rocco

[VeronikaW]

Rocco, thanks for that link. I called the CA DMV to ask for a refund, and they told me CA didn't give refunds. I'm so applying for a refund now.

Also, slackgeek, my husband and I registered both of our cars here and it cost about $350 for both, but they're both new cars, so I think that played into the cost.

V. =)

[scirocco22]

Good for you, Veronika!

Oh, and slackgeek, I just realized that you're in Clark county. You should definitely consider getting WA plates within the time limit because, from what I hear, the state is especially vigilant there because of it's close proximity to a major population base in Oregon (greater metropolitan Portland). There was quite a crack-down on that some years ago but I have no idea if it's still being watched as closely now. I still wouldn't take the chance if I were your boyfriend's shoes.

--'rocco

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

Good for you, Veronika!

Oh, and slackgeek, I just realized that you're in Clark county. You should definitely consider getting WA plates within the time limit because, from what I hear, the state is especially vigilant there because of it's close proximity to a major population base in Oregon (greater metropolitan Portland). There was quite a crack-down on that some years ago but I have no idea if it's still being watched as closely now. I still wouldn't take the chance if I were your boyfriend's shoes.

--'rocco

Oh, yeah. They still crack down, heavily. They have officers sitting out at apartment complexes, local schools, and on major streets marking down the plate numbers of vehicles with out-of-state plates. Also, they have a phone number for your neighbors to turn you in. No joke.

[KidBlue]

I read on the WA Dept. of Motor Vehicle Website that there is a driving test required to obtain a WA license. Does anyone know if you are required to parallel park as part of the driving test? In CA you can go forever without having to take an actual driving test, so I'm really rusty......

[diggitydot]

Originally Posted by KidBlue

I read on the WA Dept. of Motor Vehicle Website that there is a driving test required to obtain a WA license. Does anyone know if you are required to parallel park as part of the driving test? In CA you can go forever without having to take an actual driving test, so I'm really rusty......

Yep, you have to parallel park. But it is MUCH easier than it used to be. They usually have a spot set up in the parking lot with posts for you to do it in. You can even go there during off-hours to practice, if you need to. But even if you blow it, it won't kill your whole test. It's just a very small part of the whole shin-dig.

[jabm67]

I've said this before in another thread, but if you have the option, when you're new to the state and registering your car for the first time, get your plates between the 6th and about the 25th of the month. In Seattle and other big cities you'll need to get an emissions test for your car, and with that extra step with all the procrastinators around the end of every month, you will save yourself LOTS of waiting-in-line time if you can get it taken care of in mid-month rather than around "crush time" within 3-5 days of the 1st.

[LMB]

Originally Posted by KidBlue

I read on the WA Dept. of Motor Vehicle Website that there is a driving test required to obtain a WA license. Does anyone know if you are required to parallel park as part of the driving test? In CA you can go forever without having to take an actual driving test, so I'm really rusty......

I just got my WA driver's license a few weeks ago. If you have a valid driver's license from another state, you don't have to take tests, either written or driving test. You have to prove identity (the list of acceptable ID materials is on the DMV website) and take a vision test. That's pretty much it, or at least that was my experience.

Lynn