Ca. Vehicle Registration fees

[chickenwing]

I just did this research AGAIN and thought I would share the info here.

The DMV will waive back registration fees on a vehicle you have purchased or own if you follow this section of the California Vehicle Code. I actually did this about 5 years ago. This info is current for 2005. If they ever delete or change section 5051 we are hosed. Hope this saves SOMEONE some dough.

Nonoperated Vehicles

4604. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d), prior to the expiration of the registration of a vehicle, if that registration is not to be renewed prior to its expiration, the owner of the vehicle shall file, under penalty of perjury, a certification that the vehicle will not be operated, moved, or left standing upon any highway without first making an application for registration of the vehicle, including full payment of all fees. The certification is valid until the vehicle's registration is renewed pursuant to subdivision (c). This says ya gotta non-op the vehicle prior to the current registation expiring except when you follow subdivision (d).

(b) Each certification filed pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be accompanied by a filing fee of fifteen dollars ($15) . This and the current years registration and transfer fee is all ya gotta pay. You only have to pay $15 + the transfer fee if you are not going to register it.

(c) (1) An application for renewal of registration, except when accompanied by an application for transfer of title to, or any interest in, the vehicle, shall be submitted to the department with payment of the required fees for the current registration year and without penalty for delinquent payment of fees imposed under this code or under Part 5 (commencing with Section 10701) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code if the department receives the application prior to or on the date the vehicle is first operated, moved, or left standing upon any highway during the current registration year and the certification required pursuant to subdivision (a) was timely filed with the department. This says you are exempt from penalties if you are not transfering the car if you follow (a). So if you screwed up and did not non-op the car prior to the registration expiring it is no big deal.

(2) If an application for renewal of registration is accompanied by an application for transfer of title, that application may be made without incurring a penalty for delinquent payment of fees not later than 20 days after the date the vehicle is first operated, moved, or left standing on any highway if a certification pursuant to subdivision (a) was timely filed with the department. This is the actual section that says the penalty fees are waived. Just as long as you follow (a.)

(d) A certification is not required to be filed pursuant to subdivision (a) for any of the following: This says the followin vehicle descriptions are exempt:

(1) A vehicle on which the registration expires while being held as inventory by a dealer or lessor-retailer or while being held pending a lien sale by the keeper of a garage or operator of a towing service.

(2) A vehicle registered pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 8050) of Chapter 4 of Division 3.

(3) A vehicle described in Section 5004, 5004.5, 5004.6, or 5051, as provided in Section 4604.2. However, the registered owner may file a certificate of nonoperation in lieu of the certification specified in subdivision (a). Now this is the important part. Section 5051 defines a car owned by a collector. The collector can be a hobbyist!!!! It can even be a Geo Metro!!!

(4) A vehicle registered pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 9700) of Chapter 6 if the registered owner has complied with subdivision (c) of Section 9706.

(e) Notwithstanding Section 670, for purposes of this section, a "vehicle" is a device by which any person or property may be propelled, moved, or driven upon a highway having intact and assembled its major component parts including, but not limited to, the frame or chassis, cowl, and floor pan or, in the case of a trailer, the frame and wheels or, in the case of a motorcycle, the frame, front fork, and engine. For purposes of this section, "vehicle" does not include a device moved exclusively by human power, a device used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks, or a motorized wheelchair.