moving questions regarding registration/plates/insurance

meem · 02-11-2008, 01:55 PM

according to the california dmv site, i have to register my vehicle within 20 days of bringing my vehicle to california. this frightens me a bit, as the registration includes inspection, and i'm worried about my illegal (for california) tint causing me to fail that inspection. should i be worried? also, i presume even after i go through this process i'll be able to keep my massachusetts plates (at least until massachusetts says i have to give them up), correct?

on a related note: does anyone know how long i have to find new car insurance?

thanks for clues

winchou · 02-11-2008, 02:08 PM

The car is inspected when you go to get your registration. You'll need to get the smog check done ahead of time, and bring that paperwork with you. You can reserve an appointment time at the DMV online -- a *good* idea.

I ended up going to the DMV at Walnut Creek cause it's big and the wait times are shorter -- the inspector there was a a bit a a hard *** (but not unfair), so they will check everything.

I had to return my MA plates when I wanted to discontinue my MA insurance. Bring a screw driver and the mounting frames with you so you can drive out legal. I had green plates and no front mount frame, and the guy looked at me real hard (he let me go, but I was not sure he wanted to). Not sure if they make you drive a screw into your plastic, but why chance it.

meem · 02-11-2008, 02:18 PM

maybe i have to get it removed, then re-installed? that would be a real pain, though.

frankly, i'd keep paying my ma insurance to avoid having to switch plates for now :-)

thanks for the info.

VR_Life · 02-11-2008, 02:30 PM

Kradokk · 02-11-2008, 02:34 PM

No point removing tint before they say anything, unless you just want to avoid the hassle.

meem · 02-11-2008, 02:40 PM

according to the link i posted above, i *have* to register in california within 20 days.

meem · 02-11-2008, 02:45 PM

i'd rather not go through inspection unless i knew i could pass. if anyone knows of any "friendly" inspection places, please email me :-)

im_cecil · 02-11-2008, 03:23 PM

Full time 4WD vehicles get the tailpipe sniffer only. 2WD go on the dyno.

You'll run into issues if the engine or smog equipment is obviously modded. All aftermarket equipment must have a California Air Resources Board (CARB) exemption sticker, even if the car blows clean. It's up to the inspector to be lenient or harsh.

Used to be that even factory cars had 49-state and CA versions, but in practice not anymore. A newish stock vehicle should be CA compliant.

In practice, they won't care about the MA plates. They'll likely not ask for them back. Put 'em on your wall or something.

They'll also, of course expect you to get a CA driver's license. They WILL make you surrender your MA one.

Welcome.

meem · 02-11-2008, 03:25 PM

my engine bay looks pretty oem on both cars (there are changes, but i doubt the inspector would notice them), so i doubt i'd run into issues there. the exhaust systems aren't stock but they also look like they could be oem.

im_cecil · 02-11-2008, 03:27 PM

02-11-2008, 02:08 PM	#2
winchou AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 434	from my experience ... The car is inspected when you go to get your registration. You'll need to get the smog check done ahead of time, and bring that paperwork with you. You can reserve an appointment time at the DMV online -- a good idea. I ended up going to the DMV at Walnut Creek cause it's big and the wait times are shorter -- the inspector there was a a bit a a hard *** (but not unfair), so they will check everything. I had to return my MA plates when I wanted to discontinue my MA insurance. Bring a screw driver and the mounting frames with you so you can drive out legal. I had green plates and no front mount frame, and the guy looked at me real hard (he let me go, but I was not sure he wanted to). Not sure if they make you drive a screw into your plastic, but why chance it.

02-11-2008, 02:18 PM	#3
meem Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 17,132	so they'll fail me for front tint? ugh, there has to be a way around that ... maybe i have to get it removed, then re-installed? that would be a real pain, though. frankly, i'd keep paying my ma insurance to avoid having to switch plates for now :-) thanks for the info. __________________ -- meem \|\| amulet red 2001 tt quattro coupe :: imola red 2003.5 m3 coupe

02-11-2008, 02:30 PM	#4
VR_Life Guest Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 9,717	If you're registered in a more smog friendly state like NV or TX then keep it

02-11-2008, 02:34 PM	#5
Kradokk AudiWorld Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 387	Why not just play dumb? Put the windows down, hope they dont ask you to roll them up? No point removing tint before they say anything, unless you just want to avoid the hassle. __________________ ---------------------------------- '06 Dolphin Grey S4 '90 20v Coupe Quattro Red/Black and all stock Had: '03 1.8T Dolphin/Ebony QSP San Jose, CA

02-11-2008, 02:40 PM	#6
meem Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 17,132	how can i keep it? according to the link i posted above, i have to register in california within 20 days. __________________ -- meem \|\| amulet red 2001 tt quattro coupe :: imola red 2003.5 m3 coupe

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02-11-2008, 02:45 PM	#7
meem Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 17,132	i can't believe they'd fall for that ... i'd rather not go through inspection unless i knew i could pass. if anyone knows of any "friendly" inspection places, please email me :-) __________________ -- meem \|\| amulet red 2001 tt quattro coupe :: imola red 2003.5 m3 coupe

02-11-2008, 03:23 PM	#8
im_cecil AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 9,492	CA cares only about emissions, not tint or safety. You're fine on the windows. Full time 4WD vehicles get the tailpipe sniffer only. 2WD go on the dyno. You'll run into issues if the engine or smog equipment is obviously modded. All aftermarket equipment must have a California Air Resources Board (CARB) exemption sticker, even if the car blows clean. It's up to the inspector to be lenient or harsh. Used to be that even factory cars had 49-state and CA versions, but in practice not anymore. A newish stock vehicle should be CA compliant. In practice, they won't care about the MA plates. They'll likely not ask for them back. Put 'em on your wall or something. They'll also, of course expect you to get a CA driver's license. They WILL make you surrender your MA one. Welcome.

02-11-2008, 03:25 PM	#9
meem Elder Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 17,132	so when i got for an inspection, they won't check tint? my engine bay looks pretty oem on both cars (there are changes, but i doubt the inspector would notice them), so i doubt i'd run into issues there. the exhaust systems aren't stock but they also look like they could be oem. __________________ -- meem \|\| amulet red 2001 tt quattro coupe :: imola red 2003.5 m3 coupe

02-11-2008, 03:27 PM	#10
im_cecil AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 9,492	Oh, and you need proof of insurance to get the car registered. That, and the smog test.

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02-11-2008, 03:27 PM
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