Expired VA inspection sticker on car but live in PA now, (California: lawyer, DMV)

[mzmadmike]

Mech: But what PA law is violated by not having a VA sticker?

I could see them, theoretically, reporting the fact to VA...but it's not a violation of PA inspection rules, except, as Smoker notes, in theory you should change residence within 30 days.

But "residence" is a legal position. If you stay with friends, or maintain a temporary lodging, and continue to perform official functions (tax, DL, bills, etc) in your home state, that's still your state of residence.

However, for the money involved, it might be easiest to just do it.

[Freedom1]

I used to live in Pa until I move to NC last year. I'm certified Pa State and Emission Inspector.
if you're residence of Pa for 30 days or more then you must have the car register to Pa.

Pa cops can give you a warning or a notice to get your vehicle inspected within certain time frame and legally they have the rights to notify Virginia D.O.T.

[toobusytoday]

From the Pennsylvania dmv website:,

New Residents
The state requires you to register your vehicle within 20 days of moving to Pennsylvania. You must do this in person at any Driver and Vehicle Service Center location and bring with you:

Your vehicle's title.
Proof of Pennsylvania car insurance.
Form MV-1, completed. This cannot be downloaded, so you'll need to pick it up when you arrive at the Driver License Center.
A vehicle identification number (VIN) tracing. Or have the VIN verified by an inspection mechanic or a notary.
If the vehicle is leased, your leasing company must submit an Application for Lessee Information.
A check or money order for $36.

If I were you, I would just make a weekend trip to VA to get it inspected there. Unless you have bought property in Pennsylvania, there's no way to show that you are anything but a visitor, right?

BTW, you can have inspection and registration at different times. Our kids have cars at their out of state colleges and we realized that our daughters car would need inspection in February when she would be in college (she's in IL - not a quick drive home) so we had it inspected in August, 6 months early, so she would not be illegal. When her registration was due I just called her up for her odometer reading, did the renewal on-line, and sent her the sticker when I got it.

[digitalwoodshop]

Not to mention your insurance company could find a reason to NOT pay your claim because you did not update and pay the going rate where your car is "garaged". They feel you are "Cheating them" so they feel no problem not paying.

I lived in CA for 13 years and had a PA Drivers License and Registration but CA Insurance. The Inspection ran out years earlier. The only reason it was legal was that I was in the Military. The day I retired and was still living in San Diego I turned in my PA plate and got a CA plate. But most people don't keep a car for 12 years.... A 83 Mustang that I bought in Honesdale. I had a CA licensed car too. I did have to get a CA DMV ID card that became my license when I retired.

I lived in PA, VA, FL, IL, and CA with that car.

This could cost you thousands...... or nothing..... Do you feel lucky.....

Good Luck

AL

[mams1559]

I will admit I was tagged one day by the police for having an expired inspection sticker. It ran out in December and I didn't drive it at all after that -- except for the one day I was caught at the end of January. My total fine was $125. I tried to explain I would get it inspected after work (which I was on my way to) but he said it was too late and gave me the fine.

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by saldm77

I was wondering if I would get a ticket for an expired VA inspection sticker on my vehicle while I am staying in PA even though my car is registered in Va and I have a Va license and everything. I am only going to be in PA for 5 months and then i am moving to CA so I see no point in changing my tags and everything to PA because my registration and tags are good until Nov 2007. What should I do? Should I drive to VA to get it inspected? How far is the VA line from PA?

An expired VA inspection sticker is illegal in every state and you can be given a ticket. Most police will not notice an out of date inspection from an out of state vehicle. They are looking for expired colors not numbers when you drive past them. If you get pulled over for something else they will notice but having out of state plates you might pull it off. Ticket is $107 i think.

[vetegnc]

I know I was getting my PA car insurance (which was 30% cheaper than NC!...WOOOooo, something's cheaper!) and she said something about a PA license, and I said we weren't planning on getting it until our house sold down south. She told me that if you have insurance in PA, you must get your license there within 60 days. Darned.

[KoZmiC NinJa]

Ive gone a year and a half with expired inspection in PA.
I only got it done when I did get pulled for it. Depending
where you live, the cops might not even know what a VA
sticker is and only know that it is not PA so they wont
bother you unless you do something wrong. Even then they
probably wont even know what they are looking at. If you are
only going to be here 5 months just lie and say your visiting
if you get pulled. Theoreticly, thats not even a lie. You really
are just visiting if you know you are leaving again. Insurance is
the most important document you need. Ive was in VT. for
almost 2 years with a PA zoo plate and no VT reg or inspection
because the cops dont know what they are looking at up here.
Its very easy to NOT get pulled if you drive carefully. Ive never
understood how people can rack points up.
Oh well.......Have a great stay in PA !! I would be interested to
hear how you like it coming from VA.

[petercade]

Hello I live in ny and have my car register in pa but dont have any inspection sticker can someone tell me can I drive in ny like that or the closes inspection place to go from queens to pa to get my car inspected? thank you so much

[psulions2007]

Many states do not require inspections...for example, my car is registered in FL, and it doesn't have an inspection system, and I have been in PA for 3 years at PSU. No trouble. It would be very difficult for PA officers to determine out-of-state inspection expirations as they vary wildly from state to state.

The only one concerned about your inspection is VA. They probably will notice that you skipped on your inspection, so I would suggest that you contact the VA DMV and explain your situation, including maybe that you can't afford to take your car down to VA to get it inspected....and perhaps you could ask if it is acceptable to get it inspected in PA or get it inspected if/when you return to VA at any time. Most states allow you to skip on it if you notify them that you won't be able to get it inspected right away.