OT - DMV "Non-Op" Questions

Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration
Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT - DMV "Non-Op" Questions
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 04:45 pm:

I know there will be some of you who can help.

I'm in California. In a nutshell I have a 2002 year model car that is currently not running. I plan to work on it and get it back on the road over the next few months for my grandson to use for college. I intended to just pay the registration when it's due whether I have it running yet or not.

Well, I overlooked the fact that it's due for smog certification this time. Obviously, it can't be smog tested while it's not running, so I think the only option available to me is a non-op.

My questions:

1. Is there a downside to a California non-op I should know about before I do it?

2. What's the process to register it out of non-op once I'm ready to put it on the road?


Thanks in advance!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 05:03 pm:

They will gladly take your renewal fees without smog. They will send your new reg. once you get the smog.

The bigger deal is insurance. If you don't have it insured, you better do a non-op. You can do most of this stuff online. I activated a non-op at the AAA.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Les VonNordheim on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 06:09 pm:

Henry,
The non-op saves you $$$'s if you do not intend to operate the car over the next year. If you go the non-op rout and get all the repairs required and want put the car back on the road before your non-op expires, due the following: Make sure you first post fees with the DMV before driving on a public road such as getting a smog cert.

DMV will fine you if the car is driven on a public road without first posting renewal fees. If you get stopped by the Police for driving with expired plates...you get a ticket, car towed (Towing/storage Fees) and also pay DMV fines.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 06:13 pm:

Ralph is right. Been there. Done that.
Also have used non-op a few times. DO NOT do it late, can lead to a whole can-o-worms.
It should not be a problem to return the car to regular registration once you and it are ready. Either get a one-day-move permit, or trailer it to the smog shop (if you have a trailer, it helps. They have in the past taken my word for it, don't know about the future). Then a few fees and done.

Side note; I don't know if lots of people have these problems or not. Maybe it is just my rancid life and luck. My dad's old pickup has been on non-op for a couple years. Somewhere there has been a clerical (?) error. It has been reported "in use on public roads or highways". Big fines. More than two years and five visits to the DMV (hours of my time)? Maybe it is corrected? It helped a little that the reported vehicle was a mid'70s Dodge PU and my dad's is a '68 Chevrolet (it may be be for sale soon, needs some work and cleanup but is a nice and running old 3/4 ton PU).
Last month , I had a similar issue with one of my model T license numbers and a parking ticket in a part of the state I haven't been to in almost 20 years. I think this one has been resolved.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John E Cox on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 09:00 pm:

I once received a letter from the FAA asking why I was flying at below legal altitude in my 1929 Fleet Biplane. I had wrecked it about 10 years prior.
I sent them a picture of all of the parts in my hangar and didn't hear back from them.
In California you must pay the registration or go with the non operational.
If you don't the penalty's will break the bank.
If you buy a project don't take it apart and expect the CHP to verify the serial number. I have a BSA Catalina Goldstar motorcycle that was licensed back when a battery wasn’t required.
Took it apart and the DMV said to have the CHP verify it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill in Adelaida Calif on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 09:21 pm:

If you don't mind arguing with DMV here in Calif remember that you do NOT have to put a vehicle over 25 years old under PNO, you just have to prove to them that it is exempt and you will have recite the law that states it as they won't be able to find the exempting statute. It usually takes me 10-15 minutes and a supervisor to the job.

If its a newer car, put it under pno or keep it insured if you pay the registration fee, otherwise they want to collect yet another fee to re-instate the registration if the insurance lapses.

Bill


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 09:49 pm:

Bill is right about the old cars not needing a non-op, but the DMV will NOT go along with it anymore. They will just sit and lie about it.
I tried fighting it about 10 years ago but finally gave up and just paid the penalty.
I let my T expire this year and paid the penalty of about $100, plus the 92 regular fee.
In one week last month I spent over $500 to register 3 cars that are exempt from the penalty. I forgot to pay the damn fees.
One car is in my wife's name, they sent a letter to her employer ordering them to take so much out of her pay every week until it gets paid for.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 09:56 pm:

Paying the fees without getting the smog on time is okay providing you don't wait more than 60 or 90 days to get it smogged if you are still driving it.
Even though the fees are paid they can impound the car even if you are driving it down the street.
After 30 days they will impound it if they just come across it parked. If you are driving it after 30 days you get a ticket.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Hoffman - Gold Country of Calif. on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 10:47 pm:

I made the mistake of not getting a non op on my '34 Ford as it was not required. Fast forward a decade or so and I go to get my tags. Had to trailer it to DMV for VIN verification. Don't try any shortcuts no matter how "legal" they are.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill in Adelaida Calif on Friday, August 22, 2014 - 11:33 pm:

The secret is to cite the code # to the thieves.
The basic code is Section 4604 d 3 whict refers you to section 5004 and a couple of subsections.
The best bet is to carry a copy of the DMV manual in with you (used to cost $5.00 at DMV) with the proper sections hi-lited.
If they still argue and want a lot of money, then talk to your local congressional aide and let the person you voted against fight for you. Its fun.

Bill


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric Hylen- Central Minnesota on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 12:48 am:

Thank you Lord, for letting me live in Minnesota, where they tried out smog testing and decided that the entire program was a waste of the taxpayers money and scrapped it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chad Marchees on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 07:24 am:

No doubt Eric. New York is crazy sometimes, but that just sounds ridiculous what these CA guys go through.

At least I can have one unlicensed/insured/registered vehicle on my property and they can't do poop about it (town ordinance actually). And to put it on the road is no big deal. Just have to have proof of insurance. No back fees for no having it registered in any way for as long as you like.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Henry Petrino in Modesto, CA on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 10:51 am:

Thanks for all your responses, fellers! Aarons' comment about not waiting more than 60 or 90 days if you pay the full fees without the smog probably decides it for me. Non-op it will be.

Thanks again!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Aaron Griffey, Hayward Ca. on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 11:52 am:

Bill, I tried to carry in a copy of the 4604 rule but the lady would not look at it.
She said that was only for 12 cylinder cars and just refused to listen or look any more.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bill in Adelaida Calif on Saturday, August 23, 2014 - 07:30 pm:

Yea, the clerk down here tried that too, but the manager wandered over because I had made comments about other people using that law in that same office so he signed off. I had left the DMV book home by accident that day.
I have contacted my local assemblyman in the past when DMV in Sacramento refused to follow the book as far as NOT needing a bill of sale if the buyer has a signed & dated title. I had purchased a 60 Metropolitan with black plates and wanted to keep the plates and I would NOT surrender them to the local DMV. They sent the paperwork to Sac for processing and Sac wanted a bill of sale. Thats when I used the assembyman's office to correct their attitude.

Bill


Posting is currently disabled in this topic. Contact your discussion moderator for more information.
Topics Last Day Last Week Tree View    Getting Started Formatting Troubleshooting Program Credits    New Messages Keyword Search Contact Moderators Edit Profile Administration