Registering out-of-state vehicle years late, risk of DMV checking? (car registration, how much)

[mb13]

Hi all,

Due to various reasons, I was negligent in registering my vehicle in CA within the 20 day period of moving here a few years ago. My main office was based in CA the whole time, but I was on out-of-state travel often and infrequently used my car while in CA. I remained a legal resident in my east coast home state through 2010, until I filed taxes as a CA resident in 2011 since I stopped travelling home as often. Note, I maintained my home state car registration during this whole time.

A few weeks ago, I went to the local DMV to get my driver's license and car registered in CA. I was given bad advice to be dishonest on the registration form dates as to when I first worked/operated in CA since I was told there would be substatial fines that go along with it being years late. The DMV folks didn't seem to question the dates at all when I was at the local DMV which was a real surprise.

As it turns out, my registration materials were recently returned since I had forgotten to sign the registration form while at the DMV. When I read the signature part, I saw that providing false information on the form was under conviction of perjury (gasp!).

So my question is, is it possible to rectify the situation at the local DMV, pay the late registration fines, and carry on without other charges being pressed by the authorities since I never signed the form? It would definitely provide a cleaner conscious, but I am unsure of the additional criminal charges that may be pressed if I resubmit with different dates. Is it safe to call the DMV and ask for advice on how they think I should proceed?

Just to be devil's adovcate, on the other hand would it be worth the risk to return the form with my signature, knowing that the dates are incorrect, since it made it through the local office already? I assume this is a poor idea, but I don't know how much investigation into the dates is performed at the DMV state level. My primary concern is that it would be readily obvious that my start work (and declaration of residency) are years prior to the 2012 "start work, became a resident" date I used on the form if they spend any time to check my taxes. How many cases have you heard of people getting in trouble for this?

I have a clean record, and obviously feel bad about this whole process, but I just want out of this situation the cleanest way possible.

Thanks for your comments!
-h

[greggd1]

Just sign the darn thing and mail it in!!! Seriously. Just sign it.

You are taking this waaaaayyyy to seriously.

But im sure someone here will tell you to do the right thing and stab yourself.


They are going to come after you if you provide a fake name, fake VIN, stolen car, have warrants and try to hide them by manipulating the app. If the FBI and CIA come to your door with guns and helicopters, casually tell them the car was not operable so you didnt re-register it. Have a bowl of Cereal and spoon in your hand and slippers on your feet for an added touch of authenticity.

[TVC15]

Originally Posted by mb13

So my question is, is it possible to rectify the situation at the local DMV, pay the late registration fines, and carry on without other charges being pressed by the authorities since I never signed the form?

Yes

[cb73]

No one at DMV has the authority to check your taxes, or anything beyond the scope of the application you are turning in. If your application looks too shaky, it will be sent up to Headquarters for further review, and you'll get a letter giving you an opportunity to correct your mistakes. Otherwise, provide an honest purchase price (those do get checked) and don't worry about it.

[mb13]

Thanks everyone! I guess my main concern is if they actually check your residency status when submitting the paperwork.

Has anyone here registered a car late claiming non-residency while already CA resident at the time?

[gone down south]

We registered both our cars months late, all the DMV cares about is getting your registration fee. They really don't care about what happened before.

[mb13]

Will the DMV check my work records / residency records though? I'm concerned about it raising a flag it I just continue with the process.

[mb13]

Originally Posted by cb73

No one at DMV has the authority to check your taxes, or anything beyond the scope of the application you are turning in. If your application looks too shaky, it will be sent up to Headquarters for further review, and you'll get a letter giving you an opportunity to correct your mistakes. Otherwise, provide an honest purchase price (those do get checked) and don't worry about it.

Thanks for the advice. Have you heard first-hand of someone given the chance to correct the form? I assume penalties would still apply once you provided the later dates, but would be more concerned about criminal charges for having them wrong in the first place.