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Old 01-13-2013, 09:25 PM
 
810 posts, read 1,336,209 times
Reputation: 478

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My Iowa registration recently expired...

Moving to LA end of this month and it will then be beyond the 30-day grace period in Iowa.

So, is it better to renew my IA registration, or just drive it cross-country with unregistered plates, and then get it registered in CA? I know there's also a smog check in CA.

I understand it's possible to get pulled over for no registration, but if you explain you are moving to CA and want to get it registered there, hopefully they'd understand. If they don't, they don't. I don't want to renew it in Iowa just to drive it to CA, then have to go through the CA process.

I really want CA license plates. Always have.

Or, I could sell the car (reliable 2000 era Japanese import), but using public transportation to find another car in LA seems difficult, and there seem to be lots of scammers on craigslist LA selling cars.

I plan to use public transportation when I can, but for necessities and finding employment, getting stuff for my apartment, etc. It seems like having a car would make things a lot easier.

I'd like to get my car registered in CA, but those fees are probably higher than the Iowa renewal fees, but if I want to live in CA, I don't think it makes sense to re-register the car in Iowa.

Anyone have any advice?
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Old 01-14-2013, 12:09 AM
 
Location: Retired in Malibu/La Quinta/Flagstaff
1,604 posts, read 1,926,639 times
Reputation: 5988
What about insurance for your vehicle? If you want to assume the risk and liability of driving from Iowa to SoCal in an unregistered vehicle, be my guest. I can't imagine any law enforcement officer giving you a "free pass" to continue on your journey without current registration/insurance coverage. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may see your vehicle impounded. Is the cost savings really worth it?
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Old 01-14-2013, 12:20 AM
 
Location: Columbia, California
6,664 posts, read 30,498,023 times
Reputation: 5177
I know for a fact that CA will not process your registration if it is expired in a different state.
I bought a Jeep with expired plates from Illinois. I had pay for the registration for the Illinois before they would do the paper work for me here in CA. They did accept the money for me for the Illinois registration and happily for me I only had to pay for one year and not the 5 years it was late on. The tags were very inexpensive for Illinois thankfully.
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Old 01-14-2013, 12:23 AM
 
Location: SoCal & Mid-TN
2,325 posts, read 2,635,818 times
Reputation: 2869
I would not drive from Iowa to California with an expired registration. You would not get a free pass - most likely you would get a ticket - maybe more than one. That alone would probably be more than renewing your registration. Below is a link to calculate your California registration fee. There is a charge to bring in a car without California emission controls in addition to the regular registration and smog check fee.

Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator
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Old 01-14-2013, 12:49 AM
 
810 posts, read 1,336,209 times
Reputation: 478
Can I apply for CA registration from Iowa? I'd actually like to sell this car, get something better for CA, that would be dual registration though. The first-time registration fees in Iowa are high, even for an older car.

It is still insured.
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Old 01-14-2013, 03:59 PM
 
Location: Columbia, California
6,664 posts, read 30,498,023 times
Reputation: 5177
CA does not issue title or registration for vehicles not in the state.
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Old 01-14-2013, 05:07 PM
 
810 posts, read 1,336,209 times
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I found out there's an "in-transit" title you can get in Iowa for $38 that lasts a month.

I know CA has high registration fees, but how much does a smog check cost on average for a smaller car?
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Old 01-14-2013, 05:12 PM
 
Location: Full Time: N.NJ Part Time: S.CA, ID
6,115 posts, read 12,477,913 times
Reputation: 8674
Just a check is normally less than $50.
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Old 01-14-2013, 05:21 PM
 
810 posts, read 1,336,209 times
Reputation: 478
How long is it valid?
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Old 01-14-2013, 05:28 PM
 
Location: Full Time: N.NJ Part Time: S.CA, ID
6,115 posts, read 12,477,913 times
Reputation: 8674
Every other renewal period (2 years).

Unless the car is new, vehicles pay a 'smog abatement fee' for the first 6 renewal periods, in lieu of smog testing.

Read: Smog Information
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