Question for those who live in California

[dfkrug]

If you buy an ATV new in CA, you are pretty much forced into registering and titling it, even if only used on pvt property. That's $52 for 2y, and you can non-op it for $22 only during the renewal window a few months before the 2y OHV sticker expires. Forget it and fines can be as much as $200. Maybe more now with inflation.

Also true of OHVs brought in from out of state. You must show it to the DMV to verify VIN, then purchase a CA title and 2y OHV registration.

These are my personal experiences from owning many many vehicles, mostly ATVs. Dunno if these same rules apply to snowmobiles, or all UTVs. When is a UTV more like a tractor, where no title is available? e.g. Bobcat Toolcat, or Kubota RTV?

 

[Eagle1]

In California, if you own a travel trailer, it must be continuously registered with DMV even if it is permanently parked on your property. Huge fines accrue rapidly if you fall behind ...

I know of a bunch that came new off the lot and were never registered, just a temp tag to get it home (or where ever). Let's not talk about non titled not registered.

 

[ericm979]

You only need the OHV registration if you want to ride on public land. I've needed them for federal, state and county riding areas. On private land you don't need the sticker or the registration. I used to do off road motorcycle competition so I've dealt with the OHV registration system a lot.

Most people who buy OHVs don't have their own land to operate them on like we do. So the registration system is geared for them.

If it's only operated on private land you don't need to register it. I'd file a non-op (a one time payment) so when you go to sell it, it can be registered without paying back registration. That makes it more appealing to someone who will want to ride it on public land. But it's not neccessary.

 

[dfkrug]

You only need the OHV registration if you want to ride on public land. I've needed them for federal, state and county riding areas. On private land you don't need the sticker or the registration. I used to do off road motorcycle competition so I've dealt with the OHV registration system a lot.

Most people who buy OHVs don't have their own land to operate them on like we do. So the registration system is geared for them.

If it's only operated on private land you don't need to register it. I'd file a non-op (a one time payment) so when you go to sell it, it can be registered without paying back registration. That makes it more appealing to someone who will want to ride it on public land. But it's not neccessary.

I have never bought an OHV brand new at a dealer in CA. I can just tell you that when you want to transfer a title from another state, you are forced by the DMV to register it for 2y, regardless of intended use on private land. The law says not required, but the bureaucrat says otherwise.

Were you required to get an OHV registration for your Honda Pioneer UTV when you bought it from the dealer, Eric?

 

[ericm979]

I have never bought an OHV brand new at a dealer in CA. I can just tell you that when you want to transfer a title from another state, you are forced by the DMV to register it for 2y, regardless of intended use on private land. The law says not required, but the bureaucrat says otherwise.

Were you required to get an OHV registration for your Honda Pioneer UTV when you bought it from the dealer, Eric?

The dealer handled the registration like with a regular street going vehicle and registered it as an OHV. I've kept getting the green sticker even though I don't use it. I benefited a lot from the state parks that are funded by the OHV registration so I don't mind paying it.

Using the state title system automatically gets it registered as a green/red sticker vehicle if it's compliant. I think you could make an argument under CVC 38010.b.2 that your atv is an implement of husbandry. A farmer's atv certainly is and your use is pretty similar. But even without that, since you're not using it on public land you don't need the sticker.

 

[dfkrug]

The dealer handled the registration like with a regular street going vehicle and registered it as an OHV. I've kept getting the green sticker even though I don't use it. I benefited a lot from the state parks that are funded by the OHV registration so I don't mind paying it.

Using the state title system automatically gets it registered as a green/red sticker vehicle if it's compliant. I think you could make an argument under CVC 38010.b.2 that your atv is an implement of husbandry. A farmer's atv certainly is and your use is pretty similar. But even without that, since you're not using it on public land you don't need the sticker.

Most of the ATVs I have owned were for repair and resale. You can still find plenty of them without titles, and therefore, without registrations. A no-title machine is worth much less, plus it can not be exported to Mexico legally, as many are. I have been forced by the DMV to register at least 15-20 ATVs when I apply for new or transferred titles. Citing the rules has gotten me nowhere.

I have suspected that CA dealers also force buyers to register new ATVs and UTVs, even if not required technically by law for pvt land use.

If anyone has successfully circumvented this forced registration, I want to hear and find out how.

 

[ultrarunner]

Kind of… a guy with a Deere and a Cheri engine went the other way and got if fully licensed for on road use and insured.

My brother was looking at it but decided too fast for the farm.

Not sure if spelling the engine name right?

 

[ultrarunner]

The gas tax story keeps circulating...

Another New Gas Tax: CA Gas Prices to Increase Another 50-Cents with ‘Clean Air Tax’ – California Globe

californiaglobe.com

 

[DarkBlack]

California… the land of, never enough taxes and regulations

 

[dfkrug]

Kind of… a guy with a Deere and a Cheri engine went the other way and got if fully licensed for on road use and insured.

My brother was looking at it but decided too fast for the farm.

Not sure if spelling the engine name right?

If "Chery", that is a major Chinese maker of cars. I visited a Chery dealership when I was in Chile back in 2013.

 

[ultrarunner]

The seller said it was Chinese mill but built to automotive specs.

It’s the only time I had seen one with street plates.

Seller said 43 mph and that was enough not to buy and get the Kubota RTV 900 with hydro which works great on the steep hills.

 

[rswyan]

The gas tax story keeps circulating...

Another New Gas Tax: CA Gas Prices to Increase Another 50-Cents with ‘Clean Air Tax’ – California Globe

californiaglobe.com

It’s a right wing partisan website … did you expect something different, other than “keeps circulating” ?

 

[ultrarunner]

It’s a right wing partisan website … did you expect something different, other than “keeps circulating” ?

The San Francisco Chronicle is delivered each morning to the house.

I’m probably one of the last with home delivery and being a print subscriber comes with complementary online.

I’m not much when it comes to politics and doubt the SF paper would be described as leaning right.

That said the cost of gasoline in the Bay Area continues to get a lot of coverage…

 

[rswyan]

The San Francisco Chronicle is delivered each morning to the house.

I’m probably one of the last with home delivery and being a print subscriber comes with complementary online.

Is the California Globe (which you linked) somehow affiliated with the SF Chronicle … as part of the complimentary online perhaps ?

 

[ultrarunner]

It was linked at the website when I read the online newspaper…

The paper arrives at 5 am and I leave the house no later than 3:30 am on work days so sometimes do a quick check of headlines if I take a break.

Lots of coverage on the cost of gas and housing plus insurance woes as homeowners non renewed.

 

[plowhog]

CA County seeks $1M from new property owner based on past owner's misdeeds ...

Nasty surprise for new homeowners: Daily fines for previous owners' pot operation

California realtors advise that buyers understand a property's history and structure condition before finalizing their purchase, saving them the headache and cost of future fixes.

www.aol.com

 

[Racenut]

CA County seeks $1M from new property owner based on past owner's misdeeds ...

Nasty surprise for new homeowners: Daily fines for previous owners' pot operation

California realtors advise that buyers understand a property's history and structure condition before finalizing their purchase, saving them the headache and cost of future fixes.

www.aol.com

Garbage like this makes my blood boil.

 

[ultrarunner]

For most real estate owned is their nest egg often from years of toil and the most valuable asset.

With all the changes in law and policy the instances of being a liability or even obtaining insurance is increasing.

 

[scootr]

CA County seeks $1M from new property owner based on past owner's misdeeds ...

Nasty surprise for new homeowners: Daily fines for previous owners' pot operation

California realtors advise that buyers understand a property's history and structure condition before finalizing their purchase, saving them the headache and cost of future fixes.

www.aol.com

Wow that is nasty. But somewhere there should be a legal obligation by the seller to divulge the issues with the property. Afterall isn't this what escrow is for? To check the title

 

[ultrarunner]

There is but nothing to prevent untruthfulness…

You could sue but you might have to get online for a grow operation.

I bought a house that was scheduled for a condemnation hearing but me buying city had to reschedule since nothing was in my name as the owner…

Within a week I had it cleaned up and presentable so the issue went away.