registering rv in California from arizona

[sleepy911]

Ok. Here's my delima. I bought a motorhome in arizona back in October. Drove it to my dad's ranch in Montana and left it there for my brother to stay in while he went through some hard times. Now I want to use it in California. It's a 97' diesel pusher so there's no smog where I'm at. I never registered it in Montana because I thought it would only be there a couple months. But doing some research it's going to cost me big time to register it here. It was a private sale and I didn't pay tax. Ca wants me to pay 1500 in tax plus other fees. Since it was in Montana for over a certain period of time would that kill the tax demons or am I screwed. I don't know if the AZ and ca dmvs are linked so I don't know if they even know what I paid for it. Does anyone know a way around this. I already had my dad bring it back with him so it's here now. Man i should have registered it in Montana First.

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you want to register it, you have the pay the applicable fees. Most states require you to register a vehicle between 30 and 60 days after purchase, so you would likely be on the hook for late fees regardless. I'm sure CA is the most expensive option, but that's part of living there, right?

[Joe Bob]

Register under Dad's name and insure it there and bring it back. Wait six months and then take it to AAA. Use their services. Transfers between family is exempt.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

Register under Dad's name and insure it there and bring it back. Wait six months and then take it to AAA. Use their services. Transfers between family is exempt.

^^This^^

The key is the exemption of tax between family members. The vehicle has to be in dad's name for a period of time, maybe six months, maybe a year, but the transfer to you should be easy.

As far as using AAA, I have found that the NorCal AAA does not do titles and registrations from out of state vehicles as does SoCal AAA. Best to check first if you are thinking of going that route.

EDIT: Just did a little research, specifically on RV's. If the RV is out of state, you can register it in your name and California address and, if it is "used" for more than 90 days outside of California within the following six months, you can bring it in without paying the "use" tax. A couple of caveats though. It must be used during that time, not just stored, and you may have to show receipts (fuel, camp fees, for example) to verify this.

In your case, since it was never registered, you cannot follow this procedure. Getting your dad to own/register the RV in his name and home state then gifting it to you is probably the easiest way to resolve this. Still, there will be a time that must pass while it's in your father's possession before this can happen.

[sleepy911]

If california and montana aren't linked then there's no way for them to know it wasn't registered there. I thought about just using a bill of sale from my dad and trying to register it here. I once bought a car from Oregon. It wasn't in ca dmv system. I went in and said I needed to get registration and I've owned it for years and haven't registered it in a long time. They said it must have fell past the check point. I filled out some papers and bam it was done. But that was a few years back.

[ossiblue]

Originally Posted by sleepy911

If california and montana aren't linked then there's no way for them to know it wasn't registered there. I thought about just using a bill of sale from my dad and trying to register it here. I once bought a car from Oregon. It wasn't in ca dmv system. I went in and said I needed to get registration and I've owned it for years and haven't registered it in a long time. They said it must have fell past the check point. I filled out some papers and bam it was done. But that was a few years back.

This might be a problem. From the DMV.ORG site:

"Nontransferable Registration

If you buy a car from another state and don't get a title for it, you'll have to undergo the nontransferable registration process. You must submit:

Most recent title―from California or another state
California nontransferable registration card, if it exists

If you are not the owner listed on the nontransferable registration, you must submit:

A completed Application for Registration
The most recent title signed by the previous owner(s), transferring ownership to you as the new owner
A bill of sale

In some cases, the transfer of the vehicle will also require:

A transfer fee
Renewal fees
Smog inspection
An odometer disclosure
A motor vehicle bond―if ownership of the vehicle is not proven with the proper documentation."


http://www.dmv.org/ca-california/buy-sell/state-regulations.php

[Joe Bob]

The seller....DADA.....signs a bill of sale saying it's a GIFT. Minimal transfer fees and no tax.

Look again.....as to running AZ plates in CA? Plenty of people travel in a travel trailer/bus. If pulled over, it's a loan from DADA.....just have registration current, insurance and a letter authorizing use. Notarized....stamps impress cops....