BajaNomad

DMV Success

gnukid - 12-23-2008 at 03:49 PM

I went to the DMV in California to register another Baja rig today. I completed the Statement of Facts and checked Smog Exempt - Vehicle is out of state and noted my Baja Address.

The guy said sounds like Baja is part of California, no? So how is it exempt? Or is it Mexico? Then he said he would ask management who then decided to pull out the documentation of laws book to review places that are exempt and the list of non-exemptions. He reviewed the list and found that "La Baja" was exempt from Smog while for example Tecate is not. He then completed the registration.

So this marks the umpteenth time the DMV has agreed with the law that Baja is legally smog exempt under superior managers scrutiny.

And for the eco-minded the car is very well maintained, does not leak oil and is not a polluter.

DENNIS - 12-23-2008 at 04:07 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
He reviewed the list and found that "La Baja" was exempt from Smog while for example Tecate is not. He then completed the registration.



How does it work, Gnu? Where do they draw the line? Is it at the state line?

Alan - 12-23-2008 at 06:47 PM

It's nice that you resolved the smog check issue but just don't let your CA insurance lapse!

gnukid - 12-23-2008 at 08:30 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
He reviewed the list and found that "La Baja" was exempt from Smog while for example Tecate is not. He then completed the registration.



How does it work, Gnu? Where do they draw the line? Is it at the state line?


Yes it appears the docuemtation says La Baja which I though was pretty amusing. I write my address as La Paz, La Baja Sur. I don't write mexico. Make a simple practical statement, my home and vehicel are in a region which is about 1600 miles away in a community for many Californias, we are exempt as it would be a burden and the gas they sell in Baja sometimes can damage the catalytic converter so we are exempt.

You can also fax the reg and the statement of facts, you may also change the address for the vehicle and the mailing address. If you do this you can actually be valid and recieve your registration at your home in Mexico and if it fails ask for a duplicate mailed to another address. It actually works.

In fact they lowered my registration and credited me back my California Hiway taxes???

I have three cars and they accept it on all three and have coached my frineds. Be polite and patient and stick with it and they will do it. If you get denied just try again.

gnukid - 12-23-2008 at 08:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
It's nice that you resolved the smog check issue but just don't let your CA insurance lapse!


They accepts my mexican insurance and my US insurance and allow for each to expire and be renewed no questions asked. I have not been requested to show proof, I think the law may have changed which does not require proof of insurance recently-hard to know as they are not asking for proof at the moments. Though its easy to get and you should have it.

fandango - 12-23-2008 at 08:35 PM

i think you must be at least 50 miles south of the border to
get a smog exemption.

if you have only mexican liability on a car that lives in baja,
you do not need california auto insurance. the liability
policy is still in force. if you have a full coverage policy
you DO need california insurance for the policy to be
in force. i confirmed this with discover baja.

if you know some detail that changes that, please post.

BajaWarrior - 12-24-2008 at 03:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fandango
i think you must be at least 50 miles south of the border to
get a smog exemption.

if you have only mexican liability on a car that lives in baja,
you do not need california auto insurance. the liability
policy is still in force. if you have a full coverage policy
you DO need california insurance for the policy to be
in force. i confirmed this with discover baja.

if you know some detail that changes that, please post.


My experiance with the DMV regarding two vehicles that I leave in Baja was that they said the vehicle had to be 600 miles south of the border. The problem I see with Fandango's info is keeping the vehicle's registration current, which was a problem for me once when re-entering Baja with one of my Beach Trucks at the border. (Got lucky and went to the other border)

Solution for beach/desert only vehicles: I regiestered both my Baja vehicles as "off highway only" (green sticker for Ca.) like a quad, moto, or dunebuggy. Now I'm current. Although the vehicles when going home for service have to be transported on a trailer not the ground.