Fact Check

[NWLanding]

I was told yesterday that out-of-state vehicle owners are required to register their vehicles if they are in California more than ten days. Seriously?

[jigsup]

A non-resident vehicle must be registered in California if the vehicle is based in California or primarily used in California; a vehicle is considered to be primarily used in California if it is operated or located in the state for a greater amount of time than it is located or operated in any other jurisdiction.

A non-resident vehicle may be operated in California without registering the vehicle in California provided that the vehicle is registered in another jurisdiction.

A non-resident vehicle becomes subject to registration 20 days after gainful employment is accepted or residency is established, at which time application for registration must be made.

[NWLanding]

Originally Posted by jigsup

A non-resident vehicle must be registered in California if the vehicle is based in California or primarily used in California; a vehicle is considered to be primarily used in California if it is operated or located in the state for a greater amount of time than it is located or operated in any other jurisdiction.

A non-resident vehicle may be operated in California without registering the vehicle in California provided that the vehicle is registered in another jurisdiction.

A non-resident vehicle becomes subject to registration 20 days after gainful employment is accepted or residency is established, at which time application for registration must be made.

Thanks Jigsup. I found the statement incredulous, but strange things sometimes end up being true. Thanks for clearing this up.

[Mike and Cha]

It's actually 10 days only if you take up residency. If you are fulltiming but have residency in another state and are current in your license/registration nobody is going to bother you in California. Even if you were to stay an extended period of time in one place you are ok. If you do take up employment and then are subject to California State income tax that could change things, but for the most part would not be a problem. What usually happens is an Officer who works a particular area sees your out of state license plates on a regular basis is going to stop you and start asking questions. If you have been employed and are living in California he can then issue you a citation to get you to go to the DMV and get your car registered/and a CA drivers license. This is only a fix it ticket and there is no fine.

[OC Bill]

In order to escape CA taxes you must be able to prove you have been out of the state for a minimum of 186 days. And prove residency in another state plus have current registration and license in that state. CA is now our winter home and we have residency in SD.

Bill