BajaNomad - trailer in Baja and California still wants registration

trailer in Baja and California still wants registration

woody with a view - 5-9-2014 at 06:08 PM

anyone know how i can get out of paying registration for a trailer that will never return to Cali? i've got the renewal notice. i remember some discussion about this way back but can't find anything in search.

bajaguy - 5-9-2014 at 06:13 PM

Tell em you sold it or it was totalled in a wreck.....in Mexico

bajamedic - 5-9-2014 at 06:38 PM

If you don't pay the DMV, they will take it out of your tax refund... if you get one. I sold a vehicle and the new owner did not register it, as he was using it as a farm vehicle. And yes I did the Release of Liability paperwork. JH

acadist - 5-9-2014 at 07:36 PM

Doesn't CA have the permanent trailer plates for $10? Or am I just showing my age? Anyhow here's my suggestion: invite all your friends for a party (hint, hint) the one who brings the worst bottle of tequila pays the fees :bounce:

55steve - 5-9-2014 at 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by acadist
Doesn't CA have the permanent trailer plates for $10? Or am I just showing my age? Anyhow here's my suggestion: invite all your friends for a party (hint, hint) the one who brings the worst bottle of tequila pays the fees :bounce:

Permanent? Yep, that's what the plate says but CA sends you a registration bill every 5 (I think) years.

Heather - 5-9-2014 at 08:34 PM

I've had my trailer parked in Cabo for about 10 years and it is the type of trailer/camper that you have to keep registered. When I didn't register it once because of a change of address issue, DMV garnered wages. Anyway, I've been paying my $75 every year until I decided to fill in the change of location (address where it is now located), line on the DMV form. I put that it was located in CSL. I then sent my check and the form and they returned the check and said I didn't need to register it since it wasn't being driven on CA roads!
This was just in Feb, and I got another letter from DMV at the end of March saying I hadn't paid the registration and was now being charged a late fee! I made copies and sent it all back, so hope it's a done deal!

CA REG

captkw - 5-9-2014 at 09:14 PM

Hola woody..if its gonna stay in Baja/mex just ignore the dmv...they purge the files after a given time period....if any chance of resale and someone would return to CA.....They ARE Fuccced !! AS as EX boat dealer and car trader I can tell YA you don't want to get caught up in the DMV GoG wheels !! Comprenda !!

Alm - 5-9-2014 at 09:46 PM

The only reason why I would bother with registration renewal is to take it on the road. Because it's illegal to tow unregistered trailer. Though with permanent plate the likelihood of this is negligible - they have to stop you for some reason and check your papers. Can't think of any reason other than cops looking for stolen trailer (in Mexico? this is a joke, right?)...

If it's parked permanently in Baja, just forget the whole thing. I agree that this could cause problems if somebody buys it and takes it back North. A vehicle in your possession and yet with no registration for many years - don't know about Ca rules, but this may cost some fines to register it again. Re-register it some state where it costs less, if you are worried about this.

mcfez - 5-9-2014 at 10:30 PM

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs%2Fbrochures/fast_facts/ffvr01.htm

JohnMcfrog - 5-10-2014 at 05:24 AM

I did the non op last year as Mcfez referenced and it was painless. I called them after taking the trailer down so that it was registered while crossing the border and transporting it to it's permanent residence.

woody with a view - 5-10-2014 at 05:44 AM

thanks for the replies. i wrote on it it was in Mexico and not coming back. we'll see what happens.

DawnPatrol - 5-10-2014 at 07:31 AM

Quote:

LOL

TMW - 5-10-2014 at 09:06 AM

Woody you might have to reply to the DMV a couple of times. They don't have the brightest bulbs in the box working there.

Two years ago I gave my son my last motorcycle, he lives in CO, and I sent in the form saying so. Still they sent me a letter saying I had not paid my registration fees. My son had it registed in CO. I replied to the DMV. They sent me a second notice which I replied to again. They then sent it to the state treasury or what ever department does collections. That department sent me a letter and again I replied with the same info I sent to the DMV only this time they acceped it.

msteve1014 - 5-10-2014 at 09:26 AM

I would go the non-op route. I think it cost $5, then you, or some one else could easily register it again some day.

Ramon - 5-10-2014 at 09:38 AM

I remember seeing on the renewal paperwork that travel trailers can not be non op'd?
Actually it says right here in the link Mcfez posted too.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs%2Fbrochures/fast_facts/ffvr01.htm

Alm - 5-10-2014 at 12:09 PM

What trailer, btw? It looks like Ramon is right, the link to Ca DMV says that RV "trailer" can not be placed on the non-op status:

"Vehicles Which Cannot be Placed on PNO Status

Park Trailers
Trailer Coaches
Vessels
Special Equipment
Mopeds/Motorized Bicycles"

[Edited on 5-10-2014 by Alm]

msteve1014 - 5-10-2014 at 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnMcfrog
I did the non op last year as Mcfez referenced and it was painless. I called them after taking the trailer down so that it was registered while crossing the border and transporting it to it's permanent residence.

Sounds like he did. More info please.

Alm - 5-10-2014 at 12:36 PM

Quote:

From what I read in Ca DMV rules, you can only do this with travel trailer that is located in Ca and is not towed anywhere. You declare it a "title only" trailer, and then don't have to pay regular fees and don't have to report the non-op status.

Sounds like he declared it "title-only" after taking it down to Mexico and didn't tell them that it's not in Ca anymore. Which is not legal, but probably works.

Can be a problem if he or next owner will take it back North, if (IF) DMV will catch up with the fact that trailer came from Mexico when it was supposed to be in Ca all this time. But if it's going to stay in Mex until the end, this isn't going to happen.

[Edited on 5-10-2014 by Alm]

JohnMcfrog - 5-10-2014 at 12:52 PM

Whatever.. The guy I talked to a DMV understood that this was a done deal and did the right thing. If you get the "wrong" answer, come back another day and get another take on the matter. DMV 101.

[Edited on 5-10-2014 by JohnMcfrog]

mulegejim - 5-10-2014 at 02:01 PM

Quote:

I believe that's only for boat, utility, etc trailers

Alm - 5-10-2014 at 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mulegejim

Quote:

I believe that's only for boat, utility, etc trailers

Also, if travel trailer is shorter than 16ft hitch to rear bumper.

bajalearner - 5-11-2014 at 08:49 AM

The following statement is copied from the DMV policy for registration.

"If you have moved out of California and received a renewal notice, simply write on the notice that you are no longer in California AND provide the date that you moved out of state and mail it back to DMV. Your record will be updated with the new information when DMV receives the notice. Failure to do so will not stop any collection efforts, up to or including, wage garnishments or bank levies."

If that does not eventually do the trick, I would summarize the situation in a letter, or email, and send it to the governor, and my legislators in the form of a request for assistance or complaint against the DMV.

Heather - 5-11-2014 at 09:14 PM

Suerte, Woody!

woody with a view - 5-12-2014 at 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalearner
The following statement is copied from the DMV policy for registration.

"If you have moved out of California and received a renewal notice, simply write on the notice that you are no longer in California AND provide the date that you moved out of state and mail it back to DMV. Your record will be updated with the new information when DMV receives the notice. Failure to do so will not stop any collection efforts, up to or including, wage garnishments or bank levies."

If that does not eventually do the trick, I would summarize the situation in a letter, or email, and send it to the governor, and my legislators in the form of a request for assistance or complaint against the DMV.

except I haven't moved. the TRAILER doesn't live in the state any longer.

Marinero - 5-12-2014 at 06:25 AM

If you tell Cal DMV it is destroyed, they will cancel registration. However, if you cannot return plates and title, they will charge a fee.

South Dakota???

bajaguy - 5-12-2014 at 06:36 AM

Call Clay County and see if you can re register it in SD, then cancel the registration

Pacifico - 5-12-2014 at 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marinero
If you tell Cal DMV it is destroyed, they will cancel registration. However, if you cannot return plates and title, they will charge a fee.

This is what I did with a boat that was never to return to the states. Also, if at first you don't succeed, try again. You just have to get the right person at DMV. I got it done on the second try...

Doug/Vamonos - 5-14-2014 at 07:02 AM

I keep my trailer registered. Went back and forth about this a few years and decided if and when I do return it to the US this is the only way to do it. As mentioned before, CA does not allow a travel trailer to go the non-op route. So...if you ever plan to return north it will be a PIA to re-register, as near as I can tell. The other issue I've heard of is local officials going around campos and searching for US travel trailers without plates and/or updated tags. Anyone know about that?