Hard time with the CA DMV- how to reg as non commercial

I have a Porta-potti and running water. Going to the DMV this week. Turned my truck into a mini RV and didn't know about the registration savings until I read this thread. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

I don't drive my truck around town for errands. I predominately use bicycle or public transportation, so I don't care about this questionably legal benefit.
Different municipalities have different rules, but most of them clearly state - even with commercial plates - that

"Drivers must be actively engaged in loading or unloading."​

So, parking in a yellow zone during the enforced hours may still result in receiving a parking violation ticket that you can not fight. I don't care to deal with this myself - especially when parking tickets in SF are nearing $200, a tow is $350, plus several hundred dollars an hour "storage" fee at the impound lot.

 

I paid $25 this year for my 2nd gen. I think it's the amount of years - which I don't know what it is. But I have a 2007, so it's considered "old" I guess

 

I just looked at California's income tax rates--WOW! MA is a flat 5.1%. Looks like in Cali I'd be paying somewhere between 13 and 14% once you factor in the base amount with the rate. That's unreal!

Your property tax rates are similar to ours, sales tax is higher, vehicle related stuff sounds higher.

Why do so many people live there? MA sounds dramatically cheaper and we are known for high taxes!

 

Because there's more to life than what things cost.

California has more than its fair share of ridiculousness, but no other state offers what California does in other ways.

I've lived here all of my life minus 2 years, and I can count on one hand how many natives I've personally heard complain about stuff like taxes and cost of living. It's always non native people who only see California as an expense sheet and not a vast, glorious playground for the mind and body.

Some people will never understand, and that's fine. But California gets bashed more than it genuinely deserves, and it's almost always by people who haven't set foot in our border, let alone spent a week here on vacation or lived here temporarily.

 

How much of your money does the gov get to steal from you before you say enough is enough? They want a % when you make it, they want a % when you spend it, they want a % when you save it, they want a % for everything you buy, then they want a % for things that you own, they want a % for somethings when you go to sale it. It is not about a buck. They also need a huge % of what companys make so that means they have to charge you more and you are paying on that end too. Are you really even free at this point?

 

Cali is not bad, sales tax and property taxes, other states you have to pay personal property taxes each year.
Duane

 

I have come to the conclusion that the effort it takes to save 100 bucks on getting it non -commercial approved isn't worth it.

 

My bad, we have income tax too, I was in a hurry at the end of my lunch. I don't pay much in income tax, I don't make much. Having relatives passing on and leaving you some $$$ helps. Not a good way to get ahead though. RIP Aunt Joy, mom.
Duane

 

I agree. If you happen to want a toilet and running water though, it's worth a stop at the DMV. I sold the Flippac before making it to the DMV. I had a water pump, with a quick disconnect fitting, a toilet in a drawer, and a queen- sized bed. Everything looked permanently mounted/ integrated- totally would have passed.

It will be interesting to see what they say about the slide-in camper since it looks easily removable. My truck is a mini RV so the fee reduction should apply... unless they try to ding me for the added weight.

 

Well worth it to a guy like me. I'm gonna save 16 years x $80 = $1,280. F the state, and their ridiculous truck tax too. lol

 

The amount deceases over time, so it won't be $1280 over 16 years. My 07 was only $25 for the weight fee this year

 

Why do you say that the fee decreases over time? Have you read the controlling CVC? What model tacoma truck do you have?

 

Converted to passenger vehicle today lol camper shell and a bedrug sorry for bumping a old thread

 

What’s the registration fee difference between before and now?

Also, any difference in insurance?

mom thinking about doing this for my truck now that it has the camper in the back.

 

I’m not sure about insurance rate dropping or not , but I was told it’s like 84 per year cheaper for registration. Also if you remove the camper and can weight in under 4000 it’s even cheaper

 

Yeah, camper is a lot of work it get off. It’s never been off the truck, actually . 6 bed bolts, wiring and the 2 fuel filler hoses go through the camper. And it would have no tail lights or turn signals.

 

Lol not worth the trouble to save it’s like 24 per year . Well good luck you should have no issues . I went to the fontana dmv if that’s in your area