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Posted by gmharris [71.105.35.169] on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 22:06:25 :
In Reply to: Re: California Title posted by Henry4 [71.108.76.68] on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 21:42:13 :
Be careful of getting different answers from different people. You don't want to be surprised when you take it in to finally get it registered. You may be told that you had a certain amount of time (I forget, I think it was 30 days) to pay the fees. Then, you start paying penalties.
To my knowledge, the best way is to pay the initial fees which are based upon the purchase price (the state doesn't want to wait for their money until you finish your project). Then, either register the vehicle as non-op or get what is called a "title only".
There is no advantage to not taking care of the paperwork. The non-op fee is a one-time fee. You don't pay every year and it's good (under the current system) until you decide to operate the vehicle. With the "title only", you don't pay license fees for the first year, but the truck is never actually registered. You do, however, get a legal title from the state.
I think it's best to take care of the paperwork (and fees) before you sink time, effort and money into a vehicle. Then if something happens to you, or you need to sell the vehicle, everything is done. Your vehicle will actually be worth more to a buyer if the legal stuff is straightened out.
Who knows what changes may take place in vehicle registration laws which may adversely impact you? I can't see the costs ever being reduced.
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