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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ California Law
Posted by: Randal Sep 4 2006, 12:25 PM
In California, what is the law regarding license fees on a vehicle that has been sitting for 7 years? In my case the last time it was registered was 1999.
If the non- operation certificate had been filed each year (by the previous owner) then obviously there is no back license tags to pay.
If the non-operation license hasn't been filed, is the new buyer responsible for to pay all past years.
Can the new buyer secure an affidavit from the old owner to satisfy that the vehicle was non-operational?
What is the deal?
Thanks.
PS
I’ve attached a picture of the car in question.
This car is a joint venture between my son and I; the primary purpose is to get him some autoXing experience before we let him lose on the crazy freeways here.
BTW Brad has already read me the riot act on why I shouldn't buy a 944, but this one is so clean I couldn't pass it up.
Posted by: 914-8 Sep 4 2006, 12:28 PM
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/
Posted by: Brando Sep 4 2006, 12:38 PM
In most instances you might have to pay the back fees, and any previous parking violations with said car.
Without the paperwork from the PO (or DAPO) you can file for a lost title, but in all attempts to register or transfer the car you need at least a bill of sale from the PO to you [or your son].
Your best bet is to schedule an appointment with the DMV (can be done through the http://www.dmv.ca.gov/) and talk to someone there. You can also call them and speak to someone before setting an appointment so you know ahead of time what paperwork you will need. Frankly, the less paperwork you have to take back and forth and the fewer visits and the shorter your visit, the faster it will go with the DMV.
Oh, and what were the reasons Brad said for not getting a 944? NARP syndrome? 
Mine's been a great DD for the last year+, and the '83 I used to have was great as well.
Posted by: JPB Sep 4 2006, 02:27 PM
DAMIT ALL TO HADES THEM DMV BIHOTCHES GET UNDER MY SKIN FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. Take the car and put it on jackstands and take a picture of it. Go to the DMV and they should understand that a car on jackstands is not freakin sitting but standing.
Sit, I knows my sit. 
Stick it in da loophole bro!!!
Posted by: McMark Sep 4 2006, 02:33 PM
Last time I talked to a DMV rep, they said seven was the magic year when the vehicle 'fell-out' of the system. If it's been a full seven years (what month was it last registered in?) then supposedly they won't have a record for the VIN and you won't have to pay any fees.
Posted by: Randal Sep 4 2006, 06:41 PM
In most instances you might have to pay the back fees, and any previous parking violations with said car.
Without the paperwork from the PO (or DAPO) you can file for a lost title, but in all attempts to register or transfer the car you need at least a bill of sale from the PO to you [or your son].
Your best bet is to schedule an appointment with the DMV (can be done through the http://www.dmv.ca.gov/) and talk to someone there. You can also call them and speak to someone before setting an appointment so you know ahead of time what paperwork you will need. Frankly, the less paperwork you have to take back and forth and the fewer visits and the shorter your visit, the faster it will go with the DMV.
Oh, and what were the reasons Brad said for not getting a 944? NARP syndrome?
Mine's been a great DD for the last year+, and the '83 I used to have was great as well."NARP syndrome." Good guess I think!
Posted by: anthony Sep 4 2006, 07:21 PM
If the car is so clean why has it been sitting for 7 years? BTW, sounds like a great way to introduce your son to cars.
Posted by: lincoln Sep 4 2006, 09:37 PM
my own personal experience has been with 3 years back tags as a max , that was with a car that hadnt been tagged in bout 8 years . but things could be different for diff folks. i DO know that all DMV clerks have this "magic" button on their keyboards that pretty much bypasses any law/req needed with a single touch. its getting them to hit it that is the tuff part heh
Posted by: Type 4 Unleashed Sep 4 2006, 10:22 PM
It's 5 years for a vehicle to drop out of the system, unless there was an inquiry made at DMV, buy the PO or anyone else. Then it could be 3 years in back fees.
Unless there was a timely non-op filed, which only has a one time fee, that stays in effect till the car is re-registered, OR receives a parking ticket, for being park on a public street.
You have 15 days from the date of sale to transfer the title to your name or penalties apply.
If, your a AAA member, registration can be done there, very short wait time, and you have a seat till your name is called.
PM sent
Posted by: McMark Sep 4 2006, 11:08 PM
I asked a DMV employee point blank when the cars fell out and they said 7 years, BUT the DMV isn't know for it's consistent employee education. 
Posted by: Randal Sep 5 2006, 10:14 AM
If the car is so clean why has it been sitting for 7 years? BTW, sounds like a great way to introduce your son to cars.
My mechanic has always worked on this Porsche. The owner had brought it to his shop to sell. When I saw it and started checking it out it was filthy from sitting around, but you could tell it was all there and in good shape.
Just a lot of elbow grease (joint project with my son) and it is pretty nice.
Posted by: andys Sep 5 2006, 10:48 AM
Forget the DMV, and go to AAA (if you're a memeber; if not, become one!). They're much more knowlegeable, and much less aggrivating to deal with. I bought a car that sat in a garage for 12 years; it was no longer "in the system." I paid for a new title, license plates, and transfer fees; that's it as far as I recall. I did have to trailer it to the AAA office for them to witness the car.
Andys
Posted by: fiid Sep 5 2006, 12:11 PM
Forget the DMV, and go to AAA (if you're a memeber; if not, become one!). They're much more knowlegeable, and much less aggrivating to deal with. I bought a car that sat in a garage for 12 years; it was no longer "in the system." I paid for a new title, license plates, and transfer fees; that's it as far as I recall. I did have to trailer it to the AAA office for them to witness the car.
Andys
I second this. We did this for the first time recently and had a VERY good experience.
Posted by: chilli Sep 5 2006, 12:58 PM
DAMIT ALL TO HADES THEM DMV BIHOTCHES GET UNDER MY SKIN FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. Take the car and put it on jackstands and take a picture of it. Go to the DMV and they should understand that a car on jackstands is not freakin sitting but standing.
Sit, I knows my sit. Stick it in da loophole bro!!!IT IS THE CALIF LEGISLATURE, OR better known as the "Dumb Dome" that makes the laws.
Posted by: bondo Sep 5 2006, 01:39 PM
I went to register a truck that was only a few months from dropping out of the system. I said "ok, I'll wait a few months and come back". Turns out any inquiry of the vin in the database restarts the countdown, so I ended up having to pay $400 in back fees. Moral of the story: Don't attempt to register it until you're SURE it's dropped out of the system. You can't find out if it's dropped out without restarting the countdown if it hasn't. Sucks.
Posted by: McMark Sep 5 2006, 01:58 PM
Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that Royce. I did the same thing on my Aubergine car. It'd be dropped out of the system by now if I hadn't inquired about it.
Posted by: bondo Sep 5 2006, 03:40 PM
Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that Royce. I did the same thing on my Aubergine car. It'd be dropped out of the system by now if I hadn't inquired about it.
Let's call it "The DMV Uncertainty Principal of Non-Op Mechanics".
Posted by: JPB Sep 5 2006, 03:48 PM
I HAVE GOT THE ANSWER!!!!! Get it titled in another state and get it retitled in Califlowernia a few days later, its that symple. Beat the biotch from taking yo dineros gringo!!!!
All ya need are some choice contacts. I KNOW MY SIZZIT BIHIZZIT!!
Posted by: Randal Sep 5 2006, 04:42 PM
Thanks for all the advice Folks.
Well I took the AAA approach and everything ended up fine.
I didn't get charged for back license fees, so assumed the previous owner had filed the non operation permit. 
I figured the worse I could have been out was $300 (3 years of licenses) plus the tax (on the purchase) and $100 for the 2007 license.
Sure is nice when someone files the proper forms when they aren't operating their vehicle. 
Looks like we can drive the 944 up to Alameda this weekend and get my son en some real AutoX experience.
Should be fun.
Posted by: JPB Sep 5 2006, 06:50 PM
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