What should I do about my expired license plates?
April 1, 2015 11:02 AM Subscribe
Why does it cost so much to renew vehicle registration? This is bullshit. How much trouble could I get in if I don't do it? Is there some sort of loop hole to register more cheaply? This question involves California and Oregon.
My car, a lease, is registered in California, where I got it last year. The sticker on the license plate expired in January. The California DMV had the wrong address for my registration, so I never got a renewal letter, even though my driver's license was under the correct address. Very annoying. So, I've left California and I am not coming back. Right now I am in Oregon, and that's how I found out my license plate was expired -- I got a $65 parking ticket in Portland because of expired plates, even though I had properly paid to park in the street. If not for that ticket, I would've never noticed. I am not planning on staying in Oregon, I'm playing everything by ear, but I am renting a place short-term here and I will be driving this car until my lease expires in January 2016.
What is my cheapest option here? I got a 21-day trip permit to drive my car in Oregon until I get this figured out. I can only get one more 21-day trip permit for $30 this year. To renew my registration in California would cost $320 with penalties. This strikes me as an insane amount of money, and I think it's bullshit that the registration only lasts one year and they sent my renewal to the wrong address. In Portland, it would cost me $230, which still seems really high. It's good for two years, but my lease ends in January anyway. I asked and they don't offer a shorter, cheaper registration. I'd also need to get an emissions test done. The sticker on my plate says JAN and 2015. If I had a fucking sticker than said DEC, I'd be fine. Apparently the penalty for falsifying license plate stickers is jail time, so I guess I shouldn't do that in case I get in an accident or something. But what is the penalty for driving with an expired registration? I looked around and I couldn't find it.
I can avoid street parking so I don't get anymore tickets because of my plates -- that is fine. I walk and use the bus a lot here in Portland and generally try to avoid driving anyway. But if I drive around with an expired registration and something happens, like an accident, what sort of penalty am I facing for having an expired registration? At some point, I will be driving across country somewhere -- I don't know where yet. I just really don't want to pay $230 for this. It seems like such a giant waste of money to me. Also, I know I accrued penalties in California because my registration lapsed -- would other states charge me penalties if my car has been expired for a long time? Or are those late fees only for California?
Thanks in advance.
My car, a lease, is registered in California, where I got it last year. The sticker on the license plate expired in January. The California DMV had the wrong address for my registration, so I never got a renewal letter, even though my driver's license was under the correct address. Very annoying. So, I've left California and I am not coming back. Right now I am in Oregon, and that's how I found out my license plate was expired -- I got a $65 parking ticket in Portland because of expired plates, even though I had properly paid to park in the street. If not for that ticket, I would've never noticed. I am not planning on staying in Oregon, I'm playing everything by ear, but I am renting a place short-term here and I will be driving this car until my lease expires in January 2016.
What is my cheapest option here? I got a 21-day trip permit to drive my car in Oregon until I get this figured out. I can only get one more 21-day trip permit for $30 this year. To renew my registration in California would cost $320 with penalties. This strikes me as an insane amount of money, and I think it's bullshit that the registration only lasts one year and they sent my renewal to the wrong address. In Portland, it would cost me $230, which still seems really high. It's good for two years, but my lease ends in January anyway. I asked and they don't offer a shorter, cheaper registration. I'd also need to get an emissions test done. The sticker on my plate says JAN and 2015. If I had a fucking sticker than said DEC, I'd be fine. Apparently the penalty for falsifying license plate stickers is jail time, so I guess I shouldn't do that in case I get in an accident or something. But what is the penalty for driving with an expired registration? I looked around and I couldn't find it.
I can avoid street parking so I don't get anymore tickets because of my plates -- that is fine. I walk and use the bus a lot here in Portland and generally try to avoid driving anyway. But if I drive around with an expired registration and something happens, like an accident, what sort of penalty am I facing for having an expired registration? At some point, I will be driving across country somewhere -- I don't know where yet. I just really don't want to pay $230 for this. It seems like such a giant waste of money to me. Also, I know I accrued penalties in California because my registration lapsed -- would other states charge me penalties if my car has been expired for a long time? Or are those late fees only for California?
Thanks in advance.
Vehicle registration is a tax. like it or not it's how drivers help to pay for roads, bridges, signage and all of the things.
States that have high income taxes and sales taxes tend to rely less on this kind of tax, so registration may be lower, but nevertheless, by paying the registration you are doing your part to maintain the infrastructure that you use when you drive or take the bus.
It is generally more expensive to be a scofflaw, so my advice would be to suck it up and pay the registration in Oregon, where you are, or divest yourself of the car.
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:10 AM on April 1, 2015 [27 favorites]
States that have high income taxes and sales taxes tend to rely less on this kind of tax, so registration may be lower, but nevertheless, by paying the registration you are doing your part to maintain the infrastructure that you use when you drive or take the bus.
It is generally more expensive to be a scofflaw, so my advice would be to suck it up and pay the registration in Oregon, where you are, or divest yourself of the car.
posted by OHenryPacey at 11:10 AM on April 1, 2015 [27 favorites]
Part of being an adult is doing things that you don't want to do, including paying for things like car registration (and taxes, and bills, and all those other boring things). Suck it up and pay for the registration in the state you currently reside.
posted by chevyvan at 11:11 AM on April 1, 2015 [46 favorites]
posted by chevyvan at 11:11 AM on April 1, 2015 [46 favorites]
The sky is blue, water is wet, owning a car is full of all kinds of fun expenses, both surprise and routine.
posted by Oktober at 11:11 AM on April 1, 2015 [23 favorites]
posted by Oktober at 11:11 AM on April 1, 2015 [23 favorites]
I can't really answer most of your questions, but "why does it cost so much?" is relatively easy. Vehicle licensing fees are a revenue generator, they pay for a variety of things, and most importantly, your government can raise them without being seen as raising taxes so when candidates are back out on the campaign trail, they can "honestly" say they never voted for a tax increase, while still raising some extra money for the budget. You can see both how it is calculated and how (vaguely) the California fee is spent here.
As a side note, where I live, if you end your registration period before it's up, they give you a pro-rated amount of money back. You could check if Oregon does that, it might make the $230 easier to take.
posted by jacquilynne at 11:12 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
As a side note, where I live, if you end your registration period before it's up, they give you a pro-rated amount of money back. You could check if Oregon does that, it might make the $230 easier to take.
posted by jacquilynne at 11:12 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
You can be pulled over for expired registrations, so best case scenario you risk an (at least $65) ticket every time you are on the road - not just if you have an accident. You're going to have to pay this fee one way or another, and the sooner you do it the fewer tickets you're going to get.
posted by brainmouse at 11:12 AM on April 1, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by brainmouse at 11:12 AM on April 1, 2015 [4 favorites]
But what is the penalty for driving with an expired registration? I looked around and I couldn't find it.
This will vary from state to state, but it will almost certainly involve your car being impounded. You get your car back when you pay the ticket for driving an unregistered vehicle, pay the fees to register the car, and pay the impound fee. If you want to drive a motor vehicle on public roads, that vehicle must be registered. Frankly, you were lucky you just got ticketed instead of impounded.
Anecdote: at my 20th high school reunion a few years back, one of my old classmates drove a car with out-of-state tags that were expired. Guess whose car got impounded on party night?
What is it that you want? If the answer is, "ignore the law", that is not an option. For the time being, you are living and driving in Oregon, so you should register it there. Most states have a law that if you are domiciled in a state, you need to be registered there.
posted by Tanizaki at 11:14 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
This will vary from state to state, but it will almost certainly involve your car being impounded. You get your car back when you pay the ticket for driving an unregistered vehicle, pay the fees to register the car, and pay the impound fee. If you want to drive a motor vehicle on public roads, that vehicle must be registered. Frankly, you were lucky you just got ticketed instead of impounded.
Anecdote: at my 20th high school reunion a few years back, one of my old classmates drove a car with out-of-state tags that were expired. Guess whose car got impounded on party night?
What is it that you want? If the answer is, "ignore the law", that is not an option. For the time being, you are living and driving in Oregon, so you should register it there. Most states have a law that if you are domiciled in a state, you need to be registered there.
posted by Tanizaki at 11:14 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: What should you do? Pay your registration.
Technically, you're a resident of Oregon, so you gotta register your car in Oregon, per Oregon law. Yeah. You gotta DEQ that sucker…which isn't nearly as bad of a hassle as it is in California.
Penalties for expired tags are a Class D traffic infraction, as stated here (under section 803.325), which can cost you anywhere from $65 to $250 each time.
And Tanizaki is correct, if you get enough tickets on your car for this, they'll impound your car, and you'll have to pay them all off before you get your car back. Impound lots in Portland aren't something you want to deal with; they're hella sketchy and its going to cost you well over $250 just to get your shit out of impound, not to mention paying back the tickets.
If you've lived here for more than 30 days, you should get your license switched over too; you can get a pretty nasty ticket for that as well. You could do both while you're at the DMV. The DMV out in Gladstone has much shorter lines than the one in town.
posted by furnace.heart at 11:18 AM on April 1, 2015 [7 favorites]
Technically, you're a resident of Oregon, so you gotta register your car in Oregon, per Oregon law. Yeah. You gotta DEQ that sucker…which isn't nearly as bad of a hassle as it is in California.
Penalties for expired tags are a Class D traffic infraction, as stated here (under section 803.325), which can cost you anywhere from $65 to $250 each time.
And Tanizaki is correct, if you get enough tickets on your car for this, they'll impound your car, and you'll have to pay them all off before you get your car back. Impound lots in Portland aren't something you want to deal with; they're hella sketchy and its going to cost you well over $250 just to get your shit out of impound, not to mention paying back the tickets.
If you've lived here for more than 30 days, you should get your license switched over too; you can get a pretty nasty ticket for that as well. You could do both while you're at the DMV. The DMV out in Gladstone has much shorter lines than the one in town.
posted by furnace.heart at 11:18 AM on April 1, 2015 [7 favorites]
Why does it cost so much to renew vehicle registration?
California's state legislature spends a lot of money. To pay for that spending, the legislature imposes taxes, which includes vehicle registration.
This is bullshit.
This statement is irrelevant to the state of California.
How much trouble could I get in if I don't do it?
But what is the penalty for driving with an expired registration?
You'd be violating California state law. This is defined in your local "Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules". Looks like currently, that goes for $285 ("No evidence of current registration"), but that's partially up to the discretion of the cop that stops you.
Very annoying.
This statement is irrelevant to the state of California.
I got a $65 parking ticket in Portland because of expired plates, even though I had properly paid to park in the street.
Paying for parking does not pay for your car registration. The parking payment is irrelevant to the state of Oregon.
What is my cheapest option here?
Get rid of your car. That way, you will not have to register it.
This strikes me as an insane amount of money, and I think it's bullshit that the registration only lasts one year and they sent my renewal to the wrong address.
These statements are irrelevant to the state of California.
If I had a fucking sticker than said DEC, I'd be fine.
This statement is irrelevant to the state of California.
We will not tell you here how to bypass vehicle registration. That is illegal and anti-social. Please grow up and pay your dues to society.
posted by saeculorum at 11:19 AM on April 1, 2015 [47 favorites]
California's state legislature spends a lot of money. To pay for that spending, the legislature imposes taxes, which includes vehicle registration.
This is bullshit.
This statement is irrelevant to the state of California.
How much trouble could I get in if I don't do it?
But what is the penalty for driving with an expired registration?
You'd be violating California state law. This is defined in your local "Uniform Bail and Penalty Schedules". Looks like currently, that goes for $285 ("No evidence of current registration"), but that's partially up to the discretion of the cop that stops you.
Very annoying.
This statement is irrelevant to the state of California.
I got a $65 parking ticket in Portland because of expired plates, even though I had properly paid to park in the street.
Paying for parking does not pay for your car registration. The parking payment is irrelevant to the state of Oregon.
What is my cheapest option here?
Get rid of your car. That way, you will not have to register it.
This strikes me as an insane amount of money, and I think it's bullshit that the registration only lasts one year and they sent my renewal to the wrong address.
These statements are irrelevant to the state of California.
If I had a fucking sticker than said DEC, I'd be fine.
This statement is irrelevant to the state of California.
We will not tell you here how to bypass vehicle registration. That is illegal and anti-social. Please grow up and pay your dues to society.
posted by saeculorum at 11:19 AM on April 1, 2015 [47 favorites]
Best answer: In addition to what others said:
-If you don't tell California you moved out of state and re-registered the car out of state, they will continue collection efforts on the past-due amount, including wage garnishments, tax refund offsets, etc.
-You're probably in violation of your lease terms
posted by melissasaurus at 11:21 AM on April 1, 2015 [5 favorites]
-If you don't tell California you moved out of state and re-registered the car out of state, they will continue collection efforts on the past-due amount, including wage garnishments, tax refund offsets, etc.
-You're probably in violation of your lease terms
posted by melissasaurus at 11:21 AM on April 1, 2015 [5 favorites]
Yeah, it costs so much because it has a use tax rolled into it. It's a pretty sizeable ticket if you get caught (and if it's parked on the street, I believe they can ticket you on those grounds alone -- the penalty doesn't attach only if you're driving it), it's well over $100. But apart from anything else, this is how the roads and other services get paid for, you can't just randomly decide not to pay your share.
posted by KathrynT at 11:21 AM on April 1, 2015
posted by KathrynT at 11:21 AM on April 1, 2015
Oh and yeah your lease almost certainly requires you to maintain the registration. I would be shocked if it didn't.
posted by KathrynT at 11:22 AM on April 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by KathrynT at 11:22 AM on April 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I don't see any evidence that driving with expired tags would result in my car being impounded. From what I see online, people just get tickets when their registration is expired. If anyone can point to what the law says about driving with expired registration, it would be much appreciated, especially if the penalty changes depending how long the registration has lapsed. That was one of my main questions, which almost no one has answered because people want to lecture me that I am not allowed to be annoyed by this situation. Thanks in advance.
posted by peachpie at 11:22 AM on April 1, 2015
posted by peachpie at 11:22 AM on April 1, 2015
You are asking us whether it is a good idea to violate the law.
We are not going to say "yes, it is a good idea to violate the law."
Stop violating the law.
posted by saeculorum at 11:23 AM on April 1, 2015 [12 favorites]
We are not going to say "yes, it is a good idea to violate the law."
Stop violating the law.
posted by saeculorum at 11:23 AM on April 1, 2015 [12 favorites]
Please grow up and pay your dues to society.
No kidding. Cars cost money, and vehicle plating fees are car tax and $115 a year is really not very much money. If you don't want to pay the fees associated with having a car, then.... don't have a car. Your perspective is nonsensical, because it's equivalent to you saying "Gas is too much. This is bullshit. I don't see why I should pay so much for gas".
It's a cost of having a car. Register it in Oregon, because that's where you are a legal resident for the next 9 months, and stop seeing it as some kind of fine and see it as part of the cost of the convenience and freedom of having a car (which is significant).
your lease almost certainly requires you to maintain the registration.
THIS. If you want to keep a lease car, then you have to keep that car legal. You ay be on the hook for significant other costs (like violating your lease costs and/or legal fees) by not registering it. Have you read your lease paperwork? Your annoyance over the perceived cost ($230 for two years? Really? That's less than $10 a month) is illogical and stopping you facing this problem intelligently and reasonably. Pay the registration fee in California or Oregon. Oregon seems to be the correct place.
Not liking the answers you get is not a fault of askme, it is a feature when the OP is the one that is in the wrong. Sorry.
posted by Brockles at 11:27 AM on April 1, 2015 [10 favorites]
No kidding. Cars cost money, and vehicle plating fees are car tax and $115 a year is really not very much money. If you don't want to pay the fees associated with having a car, then.... don't have a car. Your perspective is nonsensical, because it's equivalent to you saying "Gas is too much. This is bullshit. I don't see why I should pay so much for gas".
It's a cost of having a car. Register it in Oregon, because that's where you are a legal resident for the next 9 months, and stop seeing it as some kind of fine and see it as part of the cost of the convenience and freedom of having a car (which is significant).
your lease almost certainly requires you to maintain the registration.
THIS. If you want to keep a lease car, then you have to keep that car legal. You ay be on the hook for significant other costs (like violating your lease costs and/or legal fees) by not registering it. Have you read your lease paperwork? Your annoyance over the perceived cost ($230 for two years? Really? That's less than $10 a month) is illogical and stopping you facing this problem intelligently and reasonably. Pay the registration fee in California or Oregon. Oregon seems to be the correct place.
Not liking the answers you get is not a fault of askme, it is a feature when the OP is the one that is in the wrong. Sorry.
posted by Brockles at 11:27 AM on April 1, 2015 [10 favorites]
This article cites section 22651 (o) (1) (A) of the California Vehicle Code, saying that if your tags are more than 6 months expired your car will be towed.
posted by MsMolly at 11:30 AM on April 1, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by MsMolly at 11:30 AM on April 1, 2015 [3 favorites]
So... I'm not entirely sure about the laws of California and Oregon with regards to insurance, but a quick look seems to indicate both require it. I'm pretty sure insurance companies like you to have a valid registration in order to have insurance.
If you don't have insurance, then you're driving, and apparently living, even if only for a short while, uninsured in a state that requires insurance.
This is going to cost you a lot more than a few hundred dollars if you get into an accident.
posted by instead of three wishes at 11:31 AM on April 1, 2015
If you don't have insurance, then you're driving, and apparently living, even if only for a short while, uninsured in a state that requires insurance.
This is going to cost you a lot more than a few hundred dollars if you get into an accident.
posted by instead of three wishes at 11:31 AM on April 1, 2015
Having expired registration in Oregon is a Class D violation (look for section 803.300), which is a $110 fine per violation.
posted by Lexica at 11:33 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Lexica at 11:33 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I don't see any evidence that driving with expired tags would result in my car being impounded. From what I see online, people just get tickets when their registration is expired.
Your car is not legal to drive. Which means you could get your car impounded if you are pulled over while driving it. It's unlikely but possible. The worst part about this scenario (a ticket or an impounding) is that it adds fees on top of the money you will already have to pay for vehicle registration. So you're really just postponing having to pay, not finding the loophole where you just pay tickets and don't pay registration. Driving without being registered is a bigger deal than just parking without being registered.
The thing that is the real issue (and the one that always gets me to register my car when I have "Don't wanna!" feelings) is that it's possible that if your car is not registered then your insurance isn't valid. This varies based on a lot of things like the state you're in, what sort of insurance you have etc etc (you do have insurance, right?). If you don't have insurance and you, say, run someone over, you are personally liable for their expenses and don't have insurance to cover your ass. This will ruin your life immediately.
From a practical standpoint what you are doing is gambling that 1) you will not get in an accident (something you could at least exert some control over) and 2) someone else will not get into an accident with you (you have very little control over this)
Here's the Oregon Vehicle code. What you are talking about is a Class D traffic violation. Multiple offenses could (I think and can not find a cite) lead to escalating penalties.
posted by jessamyn at 11:34 AM on April 1, 2015 [9 favorites]
Your car is not legal to drive. Which means you could get your car impounded if you are pulled over while driving it. It's unlikely but possible. The worst part about this scenario (a ticket or an impounding) is that it adds fees on top of the money you will already have to pay for vehicle registration. So you're really just postponing having to pay, not finding the loophole where you just pay tickets and don't pay registration. Driving without being registered is a bigger deal than just parking without being registered.
The thing that is the real issue (and the one that always gets me to register my car when I have "Don't wanna!" feelings) is that it's possible that if your car is not registered then your insurance isn't valid. This varies based on a lot of things like the state you're in, what sort of insurance you have etc etc (you do have insurance, right?). If you don't have insurance and you, say, run someone over, you are personally liable for their expenses and don't have insurance to cover your ass. This will ruin your life immediately.
From a practical standpoint what you are doing is gambling that 1) you will not get in an accident (something you could at least exert some control over) and 2) someone else will not get into an accident with you (you have very little control over this)
Here's the Oregon Vehicle code. What you are talking about is a Class D traffic violation. Multiple offenses could (I think and can not find a cite) lead to escalating penalties.
posted by jessamyn at 11:34 AM on April 1, 2015 [9 favorites]
Response by poster: I don't dislike the answers, they simply didn't answer my specific questions. My "why does it cost so much" was rhetorical and I guess everyone took it literally.
Still unanswered question: California slapped me with penalties for failing to renew right away -- will other states charge any sort of penalties for late renewal too? Or are those penalties specific to California? I do have my trip permit, which means I AM COMPLYING WITH THE LAW and I can legally drive my car in Oregon. So if I move to a different state before my trip permit runs out, I am wondering if I could just register my car wherever I go and avoid facing the same sort of penalties California wanted to charge me.
Also, I do have insurance and if I register in another state, I assume that is going to change the minimum coverage and all that jazz. Is that a scenario that could end up costing me more money too? I don't know how California's minimum coverage would differ from Oregon's, for instance.
posted by peachpie at 11:34 AM on April 1, 2015
Still unanswered question: California slapped me with penalties for failing to renew right away -- will other states charge any sort of penalties for late renewal too? Or are those penalties specific to California? I do have my trip permit, which means I AM COMPLYING WITH THE LAW and I can legally drive my car in Oregon. So if I move to a different state before my trip permit runs out, I am wondering if I could just register my car wherever I go and avoid facing the same sort of penalties California wanted to charge me.
Also, I do have insurance and if I register in another state, I assume that is going to change the minimum coverage and all that jazz. Is that a scenario that could end up costing me more money too? I don't know how California's minimum coverage would differ from Oregon's, for instance.
posted by peachpie at 11:34 AM on April 1, 2015
You can be as annoyed as you like, but that will not solve your problem.
Things that will solve your problem:
1. Register your car in Oregon
2. Be prepared to get and pay however many $65 tickets between now and January, and possibly risk larger penalties, depending on Oregon law
3. Get rid of your car
The Oregon DMV site says your license can be suspended if you have more than five citations in two years.
posted by rtha at 11:35 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Things that will solve your problem:
1. Register your car in Oregon
2. Be prepared to get and pay however many $65 tickets between now and January, and possibly risk larger penalties, depending on Oregon law
3. Get rid of your car
The Oregon DMV site says your license can be suspended if you have more than five citations in two years.
posted by rtha at 11:35 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
$230 registration is the equivalent of 3.5 additional parking tickets. At your current rate of getting tickets (1 in the 2 months since expiration, est. 6 tickets per year) , do you think you'll get 4 additional tickets this year for expired plates? If so, register your car to save money.
Oregon doesn't have sales tax, as I'm sure you have noticed; that does not mean they don't have taxes, and those taxes probably seem out of proportion for those who are from places with sales taxes.
You don't have to register your car if you're not using (read: driving or parking on) public roads; that's pretty much the only loophole you're going to encounter.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:35 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Oregon doesn't have sales tax, as I'm sure you have noticed; that does not mean they don't have taxes, and those taxes probably seem out of proportion for those who are from places with sales taxes.
You don't have to register your car if you're not using (read: driving or parking on) public roads; that's pretty much the only loophole you're going to encounter.
posted by Sunburnt at 11:35 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Your lease agreement also likely requires that the car be properly registered and insured at all times. If your current official residence is in Oregon, get it registered there.
Your car is not legal to drive right now, so while impounding is probably not the first step that that authorities will make, it is a possibility, especially the longer you go with expired tags. A trip permit doesn't override the requirement for a registered car. The trip permit does not make the current situation legal. You need the registration to be current somewhere for it to be legal.
It's likely that if you register your car in Oregon, that you won't be charged a penalty. When I was in a similar situation when I moved from California to another state (not Oregon), I was not charged extra despite my tags being expired.
posted by quince at 11:39 AM on April 1, 2015
Your car is not legal to drive right now, so while impounding is probably not the first step that that authorities will make, it is a possibility, especially the longer you go with expired tags. A trip permit doesn't override the requirement for a registered car. The trip permit does not make the current situation legal. You need the registration to be current somewhere for it to be legal.
It's likely that if you register your car in Oregon, that you won't be charged a penalty. When I was in a similar situation when I moved from California to another state (not Oregon), I was not charged extra despite my tags being expired.
posted by quince at 11:39 AM on April 1, 2015
A friend of mine was once issued a *warrant for his arrest* due to expired car registration in a southern state.
He had actually paid the registration (late) but didn't bother to do the paperwork to alert the courts that he'd remedied his late registration after getting the late registration warnings. Even though the fact that his car was now legal was in the computer via the DMV, he still was supposed to send proof in to the courts. He didn't bother.
One early morning the police came knocking on his door, and marched him to the courthouse. He was handcuffed. About 7 hours later (after waiting all day in court along with other doers of petty misdeeds) he went before a judge who dismissed the case.
But the fact that he had not bothered with all that legal stuff was clearly seen as "bullshit" and "annoying" to those who were in the position of performing his smallness in relation to the state. They made sure he knew that.
If he'd had kids to pick up from school, an important day at work, or a dog to walk...it would have sucked even more than it did.
Who knows where in the law it said they *could* take him downtown and then dismiss the charges? They did it. He'd broken a law, and he was taken to task.
TLDR: Not only is it right for you to pay your registration under the social contract, but ALSO it's really not going to pay off to decide you're above this kind of thing. It just doesn't work.
posted by third rail at 11:40 AM on April 1, 2015 [8 favorites]
He had actually paid the registration (late) but didn't bother to do the paperwork to alert the courts that he'd remedied his late registration after getting the late registration warnings. Even though the fact that his car was now legal was in the computer via the DMV, he still was supposed to send proof in to the courts. He didn't bother.
One early morning the police came knocking on his door, and marched him to the courthouse. He was handcuffed. About 7 hours later (after waiting all day in court along with other doers of petty misdeeds) he went before a judge who dismissed the case.
But the fact that he had not bothered with all that legal stuff was clearly seen as "bullshit" and "annoying" to those who were in the position of performing his smallness in relation to the state. They made sure he knew that.
If he'd had kids to pick up from school, an important day at work, or a dog to walk...it would have sucked even more than it did.
Who knows where in the law it said they *could* take him downtown and then dismiss the charges? They did it. He'd broken a law, and he was taken to task.
TLDR: Not only is it right for you to pay your registration under the social contract, but ALSO it's really not going to pay off to decide you're above this kind of thing. It just doesn't work.
posted by third rail at 11:40 AM on April 1, 2015 [8 favorites]
I don't think other states will carry over the CA penalty. Your registration is to the state so in any state but CA it's not a renewal. Does that help.
posted by irisclara at 11:41 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by irisclara at 11:41 AM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Why does it cost so much? The political unpopularity of raising taxes has tended to push fees for all state services higher.
posted by thelonius at 11:42 AM on April 1, 2015
posted by thelonius at 11:42 AM on April 1, 2015
will other states charge any sort of penalties for late renewal too? Or are those penalties specific to California?
I know Vermont has a (short) grace period for late registration, other states probably do too. Have you tried Googling this fact in the states you are likely to want to move to since you're just asking about states in general and not specific other states? And yeah the minimum insurance thing will change from state to state also. Some states have mandatory insurance (Massachusetts) though your lease probably requires minimums as well. Some companies are national and will make this work for you, others will not and you'd have to get new insurance (USAA notably for a while could not insure my car in Massachusetts). The big thing to avoid is a gap in insurance because this can cause you to have significantly highers rates with future insurers.
posted by jessamyn at 11:43 AM on April 1, 2015
I know Vermont has a (short) grace period for late registration, other states probably do too. Have you tried Googling this fact in the states you are likely to want to move to since you're just asking about states in general and not specific other states? And yeah the minimum insurance thing will change from state to state also. Some states have mandatory insurance (Massachusetts) though your lease probably requires minimums as well. Some companies are national and will make this work for you, others will not and you'd have to get new insurance (USAA notably for a while could not insure my car in Massachusetts). The big thing to avoid is a gap in insurance because this can cause you to have significantly highers rates with future insurers.
posted by jessamyn at 11:43 AM on April 1, 2015
Or are those penalties specific to California?
Likely specific to the State of California. Certainly, in Maine, I can register my car as late as I want, but I have to pay for the full year and the registration back-dates to when my last registration expired - so: reg ends in January and I renew in June (say, a seasonal vehicle) - I still pay the full fee and my registration goes from January through June to the following January.
FYI, its certainly possible to get a ticket every single time you drive a car with expired plates, and those fines will add up quickly. My husband once got two tickets in one day for driving on expired plates.
Registration is just an expected expense when owning a car. Sorry.
posted by anastasiav at 11:47 AM on April 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Likely specific to the State of California. Certainly, in Maine, I can register my car as late as I want, but I have to pay for the full year and the registration back-dates to when my last registration expired - so: reg ends in January and I renew in June (say, a seasonal vehicle) - I still pay the full fee and my registration goes from January through June to the following January.
FYI, its certainly possible to get a ticket every single time you drive a car with expired plates, and those fines will add up quickly. My husband once got two tickets in one day for driving on expired plates.
Registration is just an expected expense when owning a car. Sorry.
posted by anastasiav at 11:47 AM on April 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
I don't see any evidence that driving with expired tags would result in my car being impounded.
This is entirely up to the officer. A car with expired tags is illegal to operate on public roadways, and so, if they want, they can impound it. They usually don't because it's kind of a dick move, but it can and will happen.
Your lease agreement requires that the car remain registered and insured. If you car is unregistered, your insurance will (almost certainly) lapse. This doesn't mean a lot until you are in an accident and your insurance company looks for any reason at all to not have to pay.
You should inform California that the car is registered in another state, it is entirely possible that collections or a warrant could follow.
Some states have much cheaper vehicle registration. You need to be a legal resident to take advantage of that, however. There is a workaround - if you have a business registered in that state, and have the business own the car. I know a few guys who do this because Colorado registration is expensive as hell.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 11:48 AM on April 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
This is entirely up to the officer. A car with expired tags is illegal to operate on public roadways, and so, if they want, they can impound it. They usually don't because it's kind of a dick move, but it can and will happen.
Your lease agreement requires that the car remain registered and insured. If you car is unregistered, your insurance will (almost certainly) lapse. This doesn't mean a lot until you are in an accident and your insurance company looks for any reason at all to not have to pay.
You should inform California that the car is registered in another state, it is entirely possible that collections or a warrant could follow.
Some states have much cheaper vehicle registration. You need to be a legal resident to take advantage of that, however. There is a workaround - if you have a business registered in that state, and have the business own the car. I know a few guys who do this because Colorado registration is expensive as hell.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 11:48 AM on April 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Another reason to do it now: I know some states (I've heard California included in this) will charge you all of the accumulated registration fees for plates that haven't been kept up to date when you go to "get legal". That is, if you haven't paid your registration for 5 years, then go in to get this year's registration, they will require you to pay the fees from the past, with penalties/interest.
I've mostly heard about this with motorcycles, where one gets chucked in the corner of a shed and forgotten for 20 years, then someone buys it and tries to get it registered and ends up having to pay thousands of dollars in fees for a $500 purchase.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 11:50 AM on April 1, 2015
I've mostly heard about this with motorcycles, where one gets chucked in the corner of a shed and forgotten for 20 years, then someone buys it and tries to get it registered and ends up having to pay thousands of dollars in fees for a $500 purchase.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 11:50 AM on April 1, 2015
Best answer: I think it would be easier to reregister in California. I believe you can keep your car registered in CA even if you move out of state (double check this though).
You can only register a car in Oregon if it's titled in Oregon (see here). You probably don't hold your title, since you're leasing. Meaning you'd have to go to the lessor and inform them that the vehicle registration lapsed (if they aren't informed already through other DMV channels) and then go through the process of getting the vehicle titled in Oregon.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:50 AM on April 1, 2015
You can only register a car in Oregon if it's titled in Oregon (see here). You probably don't hold your title, since you're leasing. Meaning you'd have to go to the lessor and inform them that the vehicle registration lapsed (if they aren't informed already through other DMV channels) and then go through the process of getting the vehicle titled in Oregon.
posted by melissasaurus at 11:50 AM on April 1, 2015
Oregon is way cheap compared to other states for this stuff. The DMV line in my budget is $20/month for three cars, two motorcycles, and two drivers. The license is $60 and lasts 8 years -- that's 62 cents a month. The title is a $77 one-time fee. And registration is $86 every 2 years -- which is $3.58 a month. And finally, the DEQ fee -- $21 in the Portland area, $10 in the Rogue Valley area, zip everywhere else. That's for 2 years, so less than a dollar a month, max.
I'd sooner be crying over fuel costs or car insurance than DMV fees. I mean, seriously. Pay up, it's the cost of owning a car.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 12:07 PM on April 1, 2015
I'd sooner be crying over fuel costs or car insurance than DMV fees. I mean, seriously. Pay up, it's the cost of owning a car.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 12:07 PM on April 1, 2015
Response by poster: Okay, that is a good point about the title being in my lease company's possession. I will call the dealer I leased from and ask them what to do. The thing is, I don't live in California anymore and I am not going to again. I do have family in California and I guess I could use their address, but I think I should just register somewhere else and avoid the penalties. Oregon needs a copy of the title for me to register here.
Also, this thread has been helpful in learning that California will keep sending notices for renewal and send it to collections if you don't notify them you've moved. Other states apparently don't do this, and if you don't renew, they don't hunt you down. I will make sure to notify California DMV my vehicle is out of state so they don't keep tacking on fees they expect me to pay.
I'm definitely going back to a car-less lifestyle after this.
posted by peachpie at 12:13 PM on April 1, 2015
Also, this thread has been helpful in learning that California will keep sending notices for renewal and send it to collections if you don't notify them you've moved. Other states apparently don't do this, and if you don't renew, they don't hunt you down. I will make sure to notify California DMV my vehicle is out of state so they don't keep tacking on fees they expect me to pay.
I'm definitely going back to a car-less lifestyle after this.
posted by peachpie at 12:13 PM on April 1, 2015
> I think it would be easier to reregister in California. I believe you can keep your car registered in CA even if you move out of state (double check this though).
Definitely check this, because most states - including OR, it looks like - mandate that you must register your car in their state if you've been there more than X amount of time.
posted by rtha at 12:14 PM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Definitely check this, because most states - including OR, it looks like - mandate that you must register your car in their state if you've been there more than X amount of time.
posted by rtha at 12:14 PM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, it looks like "failure to surrender out-of-state registration" is another Class D violation.
posted by KathrynT at 12:18 PM on April 1, 2015
posted by KathrynT at 12:18 PM on April 1, 2015
I think I should just register somewhere else and avoid the penalties.
It's a lease car - is the title even in your name? Because it is likely in the lease company's name. Maybe check that first and ask them if it is worth re-registering in California or in Oregon (or if you even can).
They won't let you have the title either way until you have paid for the car in full, because the car belongs to them while it is leased.
posted by Brockles at 12:34 PM on April 1, 2015
It's a lease car - is the title even in your name? Because it is likely in the lease company's name. Maybe check that first and ask them if it is worth re-registering in California or in Oregon (or if you even can).
They won't let you have the title either way until you have paid for the car in full, because the car belongs to them while it is leased.
posted by Brockles at 12:34 PM on April 1, 2015
For some reason, whenever I moved around within California, the DMV would always be aware of my new address and send registration renewals without me having to update my address with them. When I moved out of state last year, I thought the my address would auto-update again, but no such luck, and I was receiving suspended registration notices with forwarding labels, even though I re-registered my cars in my new state well before their CA registrations expired. Apparently, after you're about 3 months overdue they'll start threatening to go to collections, but that's also the first time they'll even ask if you've moved. I may still have some prior notices laying around stating what penalties I would get for driving with a suspended registration that I can check, but I'm pretty sure license suspension and vehicle impound were on the list.
As for why California's is so high, it's partially because of prop 13's limits on property taxes, which have crippled the state's finances for decades; and partially because any new tax requires a supermajority vote to pass. Registration fees are one of the few things the state can raise easily.
posted by LionIndex at 12:42 PM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
As for why California's is so high, it's partially because of prop 13's limits on property taxes, which have crippled the state's finances for decades; and partially because any new tax requires a supermajority vote to pass. Registration fees are one of the few things the state can raise easily.
posted by LionIndex at 12:42 PM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Suck it up and pay the registration fee.
It seems like for the duration of leasing the car, you'll be an Oregon resident, so you'll have to register it in Oregon. This will very likely be cheaper for you in terms of registration fees, vehicle property taxes (if CA and/or OR have those), and car insurance.
Be sure to cancel your CA car insurance and get insurance in OR. In CA, plates stay with the car, so I don't think you'll have to return your CA plates to do this.
posted by tckma at 1:09 PM on April 1, 2015
It seems like for the duration of leasing the car, you'll be an Oregon resident, so you'll have to register it in Oregon. This will very likely be cheaper for you in terms of registration fees, vehicle property taxes (if CA and/or OR have those), and car insurance.
Be sure to cancel your CA car insurance and get insurance in OR. In CA, plates stay with the car, so I don't think you'll have to return your CA plates to do this.
posted by tckma at 1:09 PM on April 1, 2015
"Failure to surrender out-of-state registration" applies only if you register the car in Oregon and do not subsequently surrender the California plates/registration.
Ore. Vehicle Code 803.305(14) provides that out-of-state registered vehicles are not required to be registered in Oregon if the owner is not a resident or has been a resident for less than 30 days. Residency for this purpose is defined in 803.200 (it's long, so I won't quote it here, but just being present in the state is not sufficient). It's possible OP is or may become an Oregon resident for this purpose, or it's possible they may leave the state before residency attaches.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:47 PM on April 1, 2015
Ore. Vehicle Code 803.305(14) provides that out-of-state registered vehicles are not required to be registered in Oregon if the owner is not a resident or has been a resident for less than 30 days. Residency for this purpose is defined in 803.200 (it's long, so I won't quote it here, but just being present in the state is not sufficient). It's possible OP is or may become an Oregon resident for this purpose, or it's possible they may leave the state before residency attaches.
posted by melissasaurus at 1:47 PM on April 1, 2015
Response by poster: Well, I just checked and my car insurance would actually be less in Oregon, and it would more than pay the cost for new registration in Oregon over the term of my lease. I need to go through my leasing company to switch the registration but I spoke with them and the process sounds pretty straight forward. My car payments would also end up going down because Oregon doesn't have sales tax, so it seems like win-win to register in Oregon. This thread gave me some really good things to think about that I wouldn't have otherwise -- I've marked those as best answers. Those answers were much more helpful than the hand-wringing and lecturing, so thanks.
posted by peachpie at 1:50 PM on April 1, 2015
posted by peachpie at 1:50 PM on April 1, 2015
If it makes you feel any better, in Australia one-year car registration is around $1000.
I don't know for sure, but I would bet that your car insurance would make a fuss about paying out if you are in an accident with expired plates. Insurance companies will do anything they can to get out of paying you, and they could probably argue that you weren't supposed to be on the road at all, so you violated some sort of terms and conditions of your insurance. That could cost you REALLY big bucks.
posted by lollusc at 4:34 PM on April 1, 2015
I don't know for sure, but I would bet that your car insurance would make a fuss about paying out if you are in an accident with expired plates. Insurance companies will do anything they can to get out of paying you, and they could probably argue that you weren't supposed to be on the road at all, so you violated some sort of terms and conditions of your insurance. That could cost you REALLY big bucks.
posted by lollusc at 4:34 PM on April 1, 2015
> will other states charge any sort of penalties for late renewal too?
Only the state where it is registered charges a penalty for late renewal, because that is the only state where it can be renewed. But if you are no longer a resident of California, you are likely not eligible to renew there anyway.
Any other state that you drive in cares not a whit about the lateness of renewal. All they know is that you are driving an unregistered car, which is a big deal.
> I think I should just register somewhere else and avoid the penalties.
You are only eligible to register the car where you live. If you want to register elsewhere, move there first. Drive carefully on the way.
posted by megatherium at 7:08 PM on April 1, 2015
Only the state where it is registered charges a penalty for late renewal, because that is the only state where it can be renewed. But if you are no longer a resident of California, you are likely not eligible to renew there anyway.
Any other state that you drive in cares not a whit about the lateness of renewal. All they know is that you are driving an unregistered car, which is a big deal.
> I think I should just register somewhere else and avoid the penalties.
You are only eligible to register the car where you live. If you want to register elsewhere, move there first. Drive carefully on the way.
posted by megatherium at 7:08 PM on April 1, 2015
And, as an anecdote, both my husband and I have been pulled over and received traffic tickets for driving with expired tags in oregon-you can drive very carefully or avoid paid parking or whatever and that's irrelevant. You can be ticketed for this alone.
posted by purenitrous at 8:30 PM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by purenitrous at 8:30 PM on April 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
I don't see any evidence that driving with expired tags would result in my car being impounded.
AskMe from 2007: My car just got impounded for expired, out of state registration, what now?
posted by soundguy99 at 10:24 PM on April 1, 2015 [4 favorites]
AskMe from 2007: My car just got impounded for expired, out of state registration, what now?
posted by soundguy99 at 10:24 PM on April 1, 2015 [4 favorites]
What I don't get is that presumably you walk to and from your car at least once a week and you can see the expiration date right there on your plates. Was the expiration date really that much of surprise? When moving out of state, it seems like it might be prudent to do a walkaround or checkup beforehand to make sure your car is road worthy and that you won't draw unnecessary law enforcement attention. Especially since cops have a reputation for being tougher on out-of-state drivers than residents no matter where you go.
If your car is new enough for you to be leasing it, it's unlikely that you're going to have problems passing DEQ. It's a minor annoyance at best and if you show up early enough to the testing center you can be out in 15-20 minutes. It also only costs $21. You can avoid DMV lines by showing up before they open at one of the smaller offices. I've always had good luck with the one in Gresham. In and out in 15 minutes or less for routine paperwork.
Oregon doesn't screw around and if you drive your car illegally once the trip permit expires, I guarantee you that some cop looking to write an easy ticket is going to pull you over and cite you. A lot of the time they'll run your plate if they're behind you in traffic even if you haven't committed a violation and pull you over if there's cause. They may even be able to see your expired plates and decide you're an easy ticket.
They can also leave notes in their system, so if they run your plate again there's every possibility you could be tagged as a repeat offender and they'll be even more determined to write you another ticket. They might even look for other things to cite you for, like not registering in Oregon or transferring your license if they feel like being a hardass about it.
I have personal experience in a very similar area, also moving from out of state to Oregon. Take it from me: don't think you can screw around with this because it will not work in your favor. You will be caught at some point and all this money you don't want to or can't afford to spend now will look like a pittance in comparison. And, by the way, we also just got an impounded recovered stolen car back from a towing lot recently. They charge you daily storage fees and towing fees. This will all cost you so much more in the end if you don't just take care of it now.
posted by Arrrgyle at 10:28 PM on April 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
If your car is new enough for you to be leasing it, it's unlikely that you're going to have problems passing DEQ. It's a minor annoyance at best and if you show up early enough to the testing center you can be out in 15-20 minutes. It also only costs $21. You can avoid DMV lines by showing up before they open at one of the smaller offices. I've always had good luck with the one in Gresham. In and out in 15 minutes or less for routine paperwork.
Oregon doesn't screw around and if you drive your car illegally once the trip permit expires, I guarantee you that some cop looking to write an easy ticket is going to pull you over and cite you. A lot of the time they'll run your plate if they're behind you in traffic even if you haven't committed a violation and pull you over if there's cause. They may even be able to see your expired plates and decide you're an easy ticket.
They can also leave notes in their system, so if they run your plate again there's every possibility you could be tagged as a repeat offender and they'll be even more determined to write you another ticket. They might even look for other things to cite you for, like not registering in Oregon or transferring your license if they feel like being a hardass about it.
I have personal experience in a very similar area, also moving from out of state to Oregon. Take it from me: don't think you can screw around with this because it will not work in your favor. You will be caught at some point and all this money you don't want to or can't afford to spend now will look like a pittance in comparison. And, by the way, we also just got an impounded recovered stolen car back from a towing lot recently. They charge you daily storage fees and towing fees. This will all cost you so much more in the end if you don't just take care of it now.
posted by Arrrgyle at 10:28 PM on April 1, 2015 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: I have a feeling no one will see this thread anymore, but a huge thanks to the people who mentioned that I need to notify California I have left or they will try to garnish my wages for registration late fees. I would've had no idea. On that note...
Does anyone know: Will they keep trying to collect on the fees that were outstanding at the time I reported that I moved? Or does it all just go away since I am no longer renewing my registration in California or driving a car in California?
posted by peachpie at 5:44 PM on April 2, 2015
Does anyone know: Will they keep trying to collect on the fees that were outstanding at the time I reported that I moved? Or does it all just go away since I am no longer renewing my registration in California or driving a car in California?
posted by peachpie at 5:44 PM on April 2, 2015
Does anyone know: Will they keep trying to collect on the fees that were outstanding at the time I reported that I moved?
I know no real facts about this, but can possibly point you in a direction for investigation: I have seen language on some DMV forms that if fees are not paid within a certain amount of time, the collection will be transferred to the Franchise Tax Board. The FTB is responsible for CA state taxes and refunds (among other things, I imagine) and if you have any sort of CA tax situation, these DMV fees may come up next year at tax time. Probably with additional fees. I would look into that as a possible future pain point.
posted by tyrantkitty at 4:32 PM on April 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
I know no real facts about this, but can possibly point you in a direction for investigation: I have seen language on some DMV forms that if fees are not paid within a certain amount of time, the collection will be transferred to the Franchise Tax Board. The FTB is responsible for CA state taxes and refunds (among other things, I imagine) and if you have any sort of CA tax situation, these DMV fees may come up next year at tax time. Probably with additional fees. I would look into that as a possible future pain point.
posted by tyrantkitty at 4:32 PM on April 6, 2015 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:09 AM on April 1, 2015 [15 favorites]