Advice for DMV off Santa Tersa (San Jose: inspection, smog, car)

[Norsemanu]

Hi everyone,

I just moved back here a few months back after trying the whole Austin, Texas thing (NOT what its cracked up to be at all!), and am back to my California roots. I know when you bring a car in from out of state you're supposed to get it registered within a few weeks of your arrival, but my van had some issues being able to pass smog, so it's been stored, not driven the past few months. Well, now it became a high priority to get it registered so I have another vehicle, and I took it in for smog check today. Passed the emissions, but the scanner couldn't pick up any readings, so it was a fail. I plan to just go in and get the 60 day temporary registration (where you show them the failed test), but I'm not sure whether I should bring the vehicle in in order to get it... Are they going to want to inspect the vehicle before thy can give me a temp? Or am I not supposed to be driving it at all until I get some the temp registration?

Also, and this is the most important question, since I don't have an appointment how early should I arrive before they open in order to avoid the looong wait? I really need to get this done ASAP, and can't wait for the appointment (the website says next available is almost 2 wks from now at any of the local DMVs). Thank you in advance for any advice... It been quite a few years since I dealt with the good ol' Cali. DMV.

[Norsemanu]

Since no one has responded, I thought I'd let you know how it went today so others with the same questions will know. I did go to the DMV in San Jose off Santa Teresa early, at 7am, waited in line with 4 people in front of me. By the time they opened the doors @ 8, there was at least 20-30 people now in line. I was only getting a temporary registration, so they said it didn't matter if I had my vehicle there or not for the visual inspection. And since I was one of the first in line, I was quickly taken care of and out of there by 8:15. Not a bad DMV.

[bobby_guz_man]

Thank you for posting the solution! A lot of people don't do that. Also, you may not got any responses simply because people just don't know how to answer

And what did you not like about Austin? It's a pretty rad place from what I've heard!

[treedroppings]

Santa Teresa DMV is pretty nice. I went at 11:30am once and was out by 12-12:15pm.

Alma DMV is worse, but not bad if you don't mind crowds and have a little time