Camper shells on trucks and California DMV fees

x2 better than giving it away!

 

I bookmarked your post a while ago. Thanks. I decided to do this and I have started the process with the DMV and the finance company. So far so good.

 

I own property in another state so I register my truck there.

California was making me pay $310 a year.

My new state is $22 a year.

F U California !!!!

 

Best of luck and hope the process is smoother for you than it was for me!

 

Thank you. I'm keeping detailed notes and will repost them in this thread for posterity so that others may be helped. My experience has already taken two different twists so far.

 

Okay folks. I'm all done paying the ridiculous California truck tax, a.k.a. the $80.00 annual "weight fee." My new plates and registration came in the mail yesterday.

My experience was different from Bay Taco's, although reading his gave me a place to start. There is an additional form to be filled out and the DMV wrote about in this press release

PART 1
I made an appointment and went to the DMV in January. I explained that I want to change the body type of my vehicle. In my possession I had a DMV from 256 titled "Statement of Facts." I had completed section G. with one sentence that read: "Vehicle has a permanent camper shell installed on the bed." The DMV rep on the spot made me fill out DMV form 256A titled "Miscellaneous Certifications," on this from I had to fill out section E. titled. "Certification of Vehicle for Human Habitation." this filling out basically means I checked a box that read "This vehicle was permanently modified" and another check box to indicate "camper attached." Singed and dated. Now, the DMV rep asked me for my title which of course I did not have. He explained that in order to complete the process they need title and that the finance company would have to mail the title in to to local DMV to complete the process.

PART 2
I initiated the process with the finance company over the phone and finally made contact with someone who could actually do something. I stated what I wanted to do and then faxed over copies of the incomplete application that was given to me by the DMV rep along with a letter which was short and explained what I was trying to do. They scoffed at sending the title to the DMV, and explained that it only existed as electrons in a database held at Sacramento. Nevertheless they finally agreed to order the paper title, and told me that I had to send them all original documents including the incomplete application from the DMV and that they would take care of the rest. I reluctantly agreed. The DMV rep told me to keep the original and not give it to the finance company, but I did it anyway. Much to my surprise the plates and new registration arrived yesterday in the mail.

The former "Body Type Model" of my registration used to say "PK", now it reads "PM".

 

Thanks for detailed info. I plan to do this next year. Spaced out in Feb and paid the weight fee...uhg!

 

You're welcome.

You can do it at any time regardless of when your registration is due. Not having title in hand, it took me 63 calendar days to complete the process. If you have title, you can probably get it done within 1 day and get new plates in a few weeks.

Good luck.

 

Outstanding! Quick question, are there limitations on what is deemed
" permanently mounted " ?

 

Though you can do it at any time, I don't think they'll refund already paid commercial fees. It would just reflect in your next registration.

 

I think it's more intended as "you can never take it off" rather than the method of attachment. Mounted to the rails should be sufficient.

 

Huh, I checked into this after reading about this issue on another thread, and it turns out I'm one of the lucky ones; I pay only 24 bucks extra to register my truck (1995.5 reg. cab, shortbed, 4x4).

I can live with that.

 

Yes. By changing the body type, it only affects future registrations.

No. The term "permanently mounted" is not codified, and for this purpose it is entirely political. I don't think the DMV will inspect the truck, or care to. The forms (256 & 256A) are signed (by me) to certify or declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California. So, my word is my bond. The penalty for breaking the law is to pay fines, go to jail. Etc.

Exactly.

 

just checked my fee is $24 a year, 08 dub.cab long bed prerunner. is it worth it? plan on keeping it for some time.

 

if you keep it for 10 years, you'd save $240.
if your objective is to save money, then it is not feasible.
if you are hell bent on not letting CA get your $24 a year, then do it.

 

Alright I've been paying my goddamned "gravity tax" for too long. Anyone in socal willing to let me borrow their camper shell to go jump through these hoops? I'll give you a hundred before I throw my 80 at the state again!

 

http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg256a.pdf

Here's the form.

Also, please have a laugh at our politically correct ass hats in charge of the state
http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/vehindustry/vin_memos/vin2011/11vin29.pdf
It's the form linked above- saying you can convert your truck to a passenger vehicle and at the bottom....
"Upon request, this document can be produced in Braille"
what the actual fuck is a blind man doing driving a truck?

 

The shell has to remain on the truck.

 

and since the shell adds weight, your mileage will be affected. So you pay either way, you cannot escape gravity.

paying gravity tax since 2013 too long?

the upside of having a commercial license plate is you can legally park in loading zone (for a short time though).

 

I've been paying a weight fee since the day they implemented the bullshit. I've thrown thousands to the wind and never once used any truck I've owned for commercial purposes. And I'm sure the risk of being caught with it off is the same as running with tint and uncovered lights. so far, so good.