Workcamping in California

[slmartin464]

Some one told me if I am in California working and licence plates are from another state, I could be fined if I don't regester in California in a short period of time. I don't stay in California for more than 3 or 4 months at a time. And have Texas Plates. Anyone hear about this?

[slmartin464]

Some one told me if I am in California working and licence plates are from another state, I could be fined if I don't regester in California in a short period of time. I don't stay in California for more than 3 or 4 months at a time. And have Texas Plates. Anyone hear about this?

[LeavingCalifornia]

I'm a native Califorian & worked for many years for several companies. Co-workers very often are from out of state. Vehicle regristration has no bearing on employment status.

[Paul Heuvelhorst]

Here is another perspective on your question from the Calif. DMV web site:
How long do I have to register a vehicle from another state or country?

Nonresident vehicle owners who move to California must register their out-of-state vehicles in California within 20 days of the date they accept employment or establish residency in California.

If a resident of California aquires a vehicle from another state or country, fees become due the date the vehicle enters California and must be paid within 20 days to avoid late penalties.

You may obtain information, which explains California's registration requirements by calling DMV at 1-800-777-0133, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (operators are available between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday) or go to your your local DMV office.

The web site is: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

You should be able to find your answer there. If not, use the toll free number listed in the above answer.

[phishboy]

OK, to extend this topic a little more..

The previous post says: Nonresident vehicle owners who move to California must register their out-of-state vehicles in California within 20 days of the date they accept employment or establish residency in California.

As a workamper, I haven't moved there. I am a temporary migrant worker, really. At what point does the state decide I am not migratory but transplanted? Really, are there workampers out there that can say that workamping in CA is the same as every other state?

[JudyandJim]

We have rented apartments for 5 months in CA for the summer and never changed our tags from AZ. Technically, the law says we should because we signed a lease, but we had no problems, and if questioned, we would just say it is a "vacation rental." We kept our MH there this past summer. It has CA plates and our toad has AZ plates... never once was it questioned.

Likewise, we have friends who have their MH in an RV park in CA -- have been there 18 months and have 18 months to go due to his contract job. They have their Mh and 2 cars registered in LA and have had no problems.

Keep in mind that CA is full of tourists and they don't have time to question each out of state vehicle. Plus, tourism is a huge part of the CA economy.

[GreatWhite]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Sunflyer Judy:
Keep in mind that CA is full of tourists and they don't have time to question each out of state vehicle. Plus, tourism is a huge part of the CA economy. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'd not let that fool you. DMV was asking people to turn in license numbers of folks who avoided the law in this way. Don't know if this was successful or not.. but...

While in an RV park in N. Calif for one of our outings we were told by the managers that the sheriff regularly cruises the park and notes how long people are staying there. That there were a couple of rigs written up the prior week. I have no idea how common this is.. but, I guess the fine can be somewhat stiff. I hope you don't get caught.

[Gary RVRoamer]

In most states the DMV will consider you a resident rather than a visitor the day you take a paying job. Strictly volunteer positions probably don't count, though a "free" campsite is considered remuneration for tax purposes just about everywhere.

Whether anybody calls you on it is another story, though. We have workamped in NY, PA and ME with never a question and all those places have similar laws to CA. But should you come across a sheriff whose brother-in-law is unemployed and he perceives that you have taken a job his BIL might have had, you don't have a leg to stand on.

I have heard reports on Workamper web sites of people being held strictly accountable on vehicle registrations in CA, AK and AZ. It probably depends a lot on the local unemployment rate and local police attitudes. You should probably ask the campground owner/manager, other staff and any long term guests to get some clues on the specific area you are in.

[Ftimer]

First of all we have heard the samething, but when we were offered a vol. position in Calif. the rangers (park managers) told us we would have to move every 2 or 3 mos. as the local law would force us to register or vechiles. Needless to say, we dont workamp in Calif. There are better states to work in, and we've been doing this for 7 years now.