tveltman

I am going to be going to Stanford next month for grad school, and I have left my car registered in my father's name (it has never been in anyone else's since we've owned the car). I intend to maintain my primary address as my parent's house, but take my car out to cali. Maryland requires smog check every 2 years, and I will certainly be able to coordinate a cross-country drive to get that done. I know that I have to get the car insured in california, but since I am not planning on being a resident, and the car isn't technically mine to begin with, as a student, do I still have to register the car? I went to undergrad in PA and never had a problem with not registering, but I know california can be...ahem...draconian. I wouldn't worry except I met a 'lister (911 not 928) who said that he tried the exact same thing and the cops towed and impounded his car. Being without the car for a day or so doesn't bother me, but my god do I not want to have some ******* cop tow truck driver rip the bottom of my car apart. So, the question is, was this guy just being harassed (possibly for driving like an *******), or is this a "legitimate" law. Is it possible to just get it smog checked and not have to re-register, as my experience with registering cars is that they must pass inspection, which invariably results in putting on new pads/rotors at least, if not some other crap. I really don't want to deal with it if I don't have to, so what is the consensus?

jorj7

Looks like you may not have to register it here:

Fees must be paid within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties. Any vehicle owned by a California resident must be registered within 20 days of entry into California unless a special permit was obtained. Nonresidents whose vehicles are properly registered to them in their home state or jurisdiction may operate their vehicles in California until they:

* Accept gainful employment in California.
* Claim a homeowner's exemption in California.
* Rent or lease a residence in California.
* Intend to live or be located here on a permanent basis (for example, acquire a California driver license, acquire other licenses not ordinarily extended to a nonresident, registered to vote).
* Enroll in an institution of higher learning as a California resident or enroll their dependents in school (K-12).

NOTE: Nonresident military personnel stationed in California or their spouses may operate their vehicles with valid out-of-state license plates from their home state or the state where the military person was last stationed

From the DMV site: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures...r9.htm#feesdue

zoltan944

Similar situation here.
You can keep your registration there.
Keep your Maryland DL, Registration and Insurance. You MUST insure the car where it is registered

Rob Edwards

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

Though reading the fine print it seems that if you're NOT going to be a CA resident for tuition purposes then perhaps you're exempt from having to register the car. But I wouldn't trust my read of the rules. You can always call a DMV office (or preferably a AAA office if you're a member) and ask....


And of course, the friendly how-to guide on how to rat out out-of-state vehicles....

http://www.chp.ca.gov/prog/cheaters.cgi

EDIT: Oops, too slow....

User 040621

The car being registered in your dad's name may be the fly in the ointment......and I suspect that the state will want every penny of revenue they can get.....so get your wallet out!

tveltman

The problem with grad school is that I will be paid by Stanford as a TA, and most of the payment will be removed by my tuition/living expenses. However, I suppose that I would then be employed in california. Also, I don't know if student housing leases count as regular leases, but I assume that they do. I'll ask Stanford and AAA and see what they have to say, thanks for the advice!

DonT

There is a way around the Maryland smog check! Call the DMV or look it up online: If the vehicle is OVER 20 years old, and is NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION, you may register the vehicle as HISTORIC. This exempts you from emissions inspection. My '87 has historic plates. I can't remember if there is a limit on miles driven, or any other restrictions. DMV can answer your questions.

tveltman

In case I do have to register the car in california, will a small chip in the windshield require a replacement, or do they accept the safelite fill-in? Also, I dont know the condition of my cats since Maryland doesnt check my car (they can't get it onto their dyno), but assuming the worst and that they need to be replaced, does anyone have any recommendations for setups that will pass without an air pump (mine was rusted solid so I just pulled it off and threw it away)? I guess that isn't a fair question since you would have no way to know the condition of the engine, but it runs just fine as far as I can tell, and doesn't run rich except for a little blip at startup, so I'm guessing there is nothing seriously wrong.

tveltman

Actually, I've had a thought. The police aren't going to know whether I am paid by Stanford or not, and as a student that isn't a resident, it would seem that I could get away with it...

UncleMaz

CA does not do tech inspections. If you were to register it here, smogging is your only concern as the regs are very stringent.

DonT

I don't know if this is legal in CA. X-pipe with high flow cats does NOT require an air pump.

zoltan944

Thomas,
Being paid by your school to TA is a part of a Federal Aid Program for your tuition, it is NOT A JOB in California, not that it matters anyway, because as you said the police are NEVER gonna know why you are here. BTW I have been pulled over before and they dont care I tell them I am here for school

Nicole

California has no vehicle inspection beyond the smog test. You could have no windshield, no fenders, and wooden blocks as bumpers, and still drive here - well, at least that's what some people do.

As to the smog test - if your car has all the original emissions controls in place, I would not worry. It seems rare that an S4 or later 928 doesn't pass emissions. Mine have always passed with flying colors. Can you get a used air pump and install it?

I hope you will join the Norcal928 group for some events - look forward to meeting you! (I'm right across the Bay from Stanford).

Lopez

Well, this works great until you get pulled over. The CHP is going to grill you on how long you've been here, why are you driving your dad's car, etc. etc. They aren't very lenient about this sort of thing - People try this all the time where they have the car registered to a family member in another state, but that excuse will not repeatedly fly with the CHP. I used to work with some people who were "temporarily" re-located to California and didn't register their cars here, and some of them got away with it for a couple years, some of them got pulled over and "flagged" - the next time they got pulled over they got busted for still driving here in an out-of-state car - in their name or not. As a student at Stanford (and if you have an address in CA) you are a resident. So, your situation may sort of skirt the letter of the law but not the intent, and if you get pulled over you are probably going to have to register it here (and therefore pass smog, and pay excessive out-of-state registration fees). Or fight them in court. Good luck...

Bill51sdr

In CA the pump IS required regardless. If the engine had one installed it is required to be there.