Will water and sand be the next oil?

[aczlan]

It's so the vehicle remains in the state's database, useful if it is stolen or of course if you want to resume highway use. Not that much different from the personal ID cards that are the same as a driver's license except no driving, carried by the elderly etc - just a record that the public records recognize the individual, or the non-op car.

Most other states have an amazing document called a Title which generally suffices to prove that you own a vehicle to the DMV or to someone who wishes to buy it.
It also has a place on it to show if a lien is owed on it.

Aaron Z

 

[California]

I'm describing, not defending!

You need the central database to identify a car with no plates abandoned at your place, or anywhere. It's unlikely the Title document will be found in an abandoned or possibly stolen car.

 

[newbury]

How is the taxable value calculated on a non operational vehicle up on blocks?

Well, it's tricky.
They do go by a"book" and original purchase price.

BUTT -
I had a 1981 Dodge B100 passenger van with interior mods. I don't know why but the original purchase price was never "captured" by the county. For many years they taxed me on the lowest "book" price, which seemed to be a "stripped" cargo van. About 1987 or so the county sent me a notice that they SHOULD have been taxing me on a much higher basis and asked me exactly what I paid.
Since I couldn't remember EXACTLY they just continued taxing me at the lower rate.
I think they were at least several thousand off, but I couldn't remember if it was $xx,xxx.59 or $xx, xxx.95.

 

[CalG]

I'm describing, not defending!

You need the central database to identify a car with no plates abandoned at your place, or anywhere. It's unlikely the Title document will be found in an abandoned or possibly stolen car.

The vin is supposed to be visible from the outside.

I suppose it's asking a lot to have to get out of ones own car to check the identity of another.
I mean, every plate is associated with a vin ...

To me, the fees were just another way to tax and control the citizenry.

 

[aczlan]

I'm describing, not defending!

You need the central database to identify a car with no plates abandoned at your place, or anywhere. It's unlikely the Title document will be found in an abandoned or possibly stolen car.

Of course, that is why the State has a VIN database. The title is so that you can prove that it is your car and so that a buyer can prove that they brought it.
There is no reason to require a non-op payment for a car that isn't on the road.
In NY, you have to turn in the plates when you take a car off of the road, but that is it.

Aaron Z

 

[kenmac]

It's been this way for a while now...

If you do not pay the registration OR the fee NOT to use your vehicle the penalties and fees are outrageous.


A retired man I befriended lived in a senior mobile home park... he had a stroke and never recovered to the point of being able to drive again.

His only vehicle was a 96 F150 tucked away in his carport...

Three years after his stroke he came to realize he would never drive again and offered the truck for sale... it had sat for 3 years.

I wanted to buy it but noticed the expired tag so I checked with the California DMV... 3 years of penalties, fees, etc... totaled a little over $1400 for a car that had not moved an inch and parked legally on private property... it really hurt him a lot... living on Social Security...

Another friend was selling an old motorcycle for his Grandfather... little Honda for $250... the DMV fees were much more than the sales price...

I do not believe any other state does this or emission tests 2 year old 1976 year vehicles.

WOW ! tax you to death California !
Here, if I decide to park any of my vehicles, let the tags expire. Go back five years, etc, from now and want to purchase an up to date tag. I would have to sign an affidavit stating my vehicle hasn't been operated on the road for the last five years, etc, and only pay the current fee for the tag/ tax, which would be less than it would have been five years prior because the vehicle isn't worth as much as it was

 

[kenmac]

Of course, that is why the State has a VIN database. The title is so that you can prove that it is your car and so that a buyer can prove that they brought it.
There is no reason to require a non-op payment for a car that isn't on the road.
In NY, you have to turn in the plates when you take a car off of the road, but that is it.

Aaron Z

I agree, No reason to have to pay a fee for a vehicle that has been parked,or no longer operable.

Out here in the country, It's not unusual to see old vehicles that have stopped being used for what ever reason just sitting in pastures. A lot of places have many old vehicles just sitting in pastures rusting away

Money grabbing politicians will drain all they can from it's tax payers. And sometimes, It still isn't enough

 

[California]

It just occurred to me ... maybe the policy here was created as a means to reduce Yard Cars - the Camaros and Oldsmobiles on cinder blocks in the front yard, being gradually stripped over several years to sell parts.

Just a hunch.

 

[ultrarunner]

WOW ! tax you to death California !
Here, if I decide to park any of my vehicles, let the tags expire. Go back five years, etc, from now and want to purchase an up to date tag. I would have to sign an affidavit stating my vehicle hasn't been operated on the road for the last five years, etc, and only pay the current fee for the tag/ tax, which would be less than it would have been five years prior because the vehicle isn't worth as much as it was

This is EXACTLY how it was forever until it was seen as untapped revenue... collect a fee for a vehicle sitting in your garage up on blocks... I have several of these and it is a real chore to go through the process... nothing has changed except the law...

Generally, DMV wants me to have the vehicle inspected and then proceed as a never before registered car... and this is when I get my elected officials involved and they order a archival search and all the documentation is there... just not on the computer... plus I have my title, last registration and same address... lots of hoops to go through!

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Around here you can't swing a cat without hitting a natural spring. Once of the reasons I moved here.

You and me both...