CA car tax laws

[cb73]

The DMV website has a fee calculator to get a fairly accurate quote. Taking a guess at a $20,000 purchase price, the fees for first time registration would be $994, and yearly renewal fees at about $294.

However, fees may be going up again next year, depending on whether the state park fee initiative passes, and what the Legislature does when the budget is revamped in January.

[ladoll]

Originally Posted by JS1

No thanks, the appointment book doesn't open until November, after the deadline to register a car!

BTW finding a job in Texas isn't any easier, I tried that as well. It's hard to find a job anywhere!

Where did I say anything about jobs? I could care about Texas' economy or lack of it. I don't live there nor do I ever plan to. You seem to be really unhappy here, which is why I suggested you move.

Also, there's more than one DMV in Orange County or wherever it is you're living. I was able to get an appointment within the same month both of the times I actually had to go into the DMV.

[BobsGL1800]

Seems like just about everyone complains about the CA DMV. Last week, I took my 80 year old mother to the DMV to get a CA ID card. Now granted, I did make an appointment online for her about a month ago, and we were in and out of the DMV in 10 minutes. That included waiting about 2 minutes on the info line to get her window number.

I did overhear that the wait without an appointment was 1 hour. So if you can plan in advance, make an appointment

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by revrandy

Can the AAA do such things as family vehicle transfers? So they collect the fees etc. on behalf of the state then? Why didn't I know this before

The Auto club is licensed to represent the DMV on auto transfers and registration. Their computers are linked into the states. They do not get a percentage of the money collected but provide the service for their members.

I do all my DMV stuff online now.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by BobsGL1800

Seems like just about everyone complains about the CA DMV. Last week, I took my 80 year old mother to the DMV to get a CA ID card. Now granted, I did make an appointment online for her about a month ago, and we were in and out of the DMV in 10 minutes. That included waiting about 2 minutes on the info line to get her window number.

I did overhear that the wait without an appointment was 1 hour. So if you can plan in advance, make an appointment

But what happens if you move to the state and need to complete a transaction in 20 days or less and the first appointment is in 35 - 45 days? Wait or pay the fine for completing your transaction late.

FYI I went to the DMV this week, 3rd trip in a week. 1st time great agent, said needed smog check to pick up plates. So check done, go back. 2nd agent says no frickin way can I have plates, my vehicle is from out of state (purchased 2 years ago) and unless I pay ~$1000 in taxes, she won't give me my plates. When I explained what the first agent said, and pointed out WHAT THE FORMS SAID, she went over and berated the 1st agent and told her she didn't know what she was talking about. The nasty ****** even marked the computer file for the vehicle so no-one else could register it unless I paid the taxes.

So waste another 2+ hours with the Board of Equalization getting a form saying I was tax exempt (and read into the form the 2nd agent was indeed an incompetent ******).

3rd trip to the DMV, wait 30 minutes, give paperwork to the agent, she reads the notes, meets with a supervisor together they agree I am entitled to plates without paying the taxes.

What would have been real nice is a friggin apology from the DMV for making me do this runaround.

I have thought of filing a complaint but why bother. They will just back the ****** up and say clearly I am not telling them the truth.

[Ultrarunner]

Unfortunately... not uncommon when attempting first time CA registration...

[BobsGL1800]

Originally Posted by revrandy

But what happens if you move to the state and need to complete a transaction in 20 days or less and the first appointment is in 35 - 45 days? Wait or pay the fine for completing your transaction late.

FYI I went to the DMV this week, 3rd trip in a week. 1st time great agent, said needed smog check to pick up plates. So check done, go back. 2nd agent says no frickin way can I have plates, my vehicle is from out of state (purchased 2 years ago) and unless I pay ~$1000 in taxes, she won't give me my plates. When I explained what the first agent said, and pointed out WHAT THE FORMS SAID, she went over and berated the 1st agent and told her she didn't know what she was talking about. The nasty ****** even marked the computer file for the vehicle so no-one else could register it unless I paid the taxes.

So waste another 2+ hours with the Board of Equalization getting a form saying I was tax exempt (and read into the form the 2nd agent was indeed an incompetent ******).

3rd trip to the DMV, wait 30 minutes, give paperwork to the agent, she reads the notes, meets with a supervisor together they agree I am entitled to plates without paying the taxes.

What would have been real nice is a friggin apology from the DMV for making me do this runaround.

I have thought of filing a complaint but why bother. They will just back the ****** up and say clearly I am not telling them the truth.

When you planned your move to CA, you probably knew your arrival date, so you should have made an appointment at least a month before your arrival date.

As for the smog check, DMV allows you at least a week to have it done after they issue you the plates. You don't even need to bring the smog certificate back to DMV. The smog station sends it to them electronically when your vehicle passes the test. If you don't get it done, they will rescind the registration.

As for the sales tax issue, you should have brought the dealers bill of sale for your vehicle showing the sales tax paid from your previous state. If it was less than your new town's tax rate, then yes you would have to pay the difference. But this can be paid at the DMV, without having to go the the BOE.

But at least it sounds like you are finished with the DMV for a while.

Anyway, welcome to California.