CA Reg Fees

Hope someone can shed some light on this. It's after 6P and I'm on the road tomorrow for a week.

Got my reg renewal from CA DMV. It was for $271 and not eligible for online renewal. Sent a check and today got back a "thanks" for the $271, but NOW I owe $40 more for something called "Vessel Tax"?

Have we joined the Speedster Navy? Does this sound right/wrong or typical CA DMV? Any direction would be appreciated.

I'll get on the phone early next week and hopefully get through to a real person. Thoughts?

dont u just love ca

I always thought a speedster would make a cool looking speed boat.

Seriously, from what I've read, registration fees are going up significantly on May 19, 2009. If you paid your registration early and it is actually due on or after May 19, you're probably getting hit with the additional fees. I read that you can't avoid the increase by paying early.

LIKE I SAID U GOTTA LOVE THIS STATE

$271? Wow....

Not to rub it in, but I'm legally registered in IL as a 1958 Intermeccanica, with "antique" plates.

$12 for 5 years. Sorry. The weather stinks, but there's some nice things about living here.

Yeh-got to do my wife's car in a week; my last visit to the AAA the gal informed me the fees are heading North. What a crock.
(And they've had tons of prime-time TV ads for upcoming tax-hike Prop 1A using fear tactics of teacher and firefighter layoffs-BS! No on 1A!)

Once only UK BIVA test, $600 (with retest at $140 if you fail, most do first time), then annual car tax, around $230

Oh and gas is still $8/gallon, then insurance etc etc

Ha, CA computer must have keyed off the fiberglass constuction and think its a boat. You'll need to swap out the turn signals for red and green running lights. (Don't laugh some states use the same generic certificate of title for both cars and boats - look at a FL title). I'm waiting for the recent partial relief from yearly personal property tax in VA to be repealed. They eliminated it couple years ago (as an election campaign issue) before they figured where they would get the equivalent fund income!

One time in Mississippi $25.00 Antique tag

Dennis, How have you been???

It's been a long time since I had to deal with Vessel tax however if I remember correctly, it's a use tax applied to boats... I'd suggest you write back and tell them you car will sink if you put it in the water.

Not to drift this thread too much, here's my latest DMV story:
2 months ago, I received a renewal notice for my motorhome. Added to the actual registration costs was a $344.00 penalty for not paying on time. I ALWAYS pay as soon as I get the notice however, after doing some research, I discovered that I never received a renewal. I called DMV expecting them to say that it was my responsibility but,,, they confirmed via their computer that I always pay way in advance and, they never sent me a renewal notice so, they removed the penalty. I sent my check to the DMV supervisor I had spoken to and about a week later I get back an "Incomplete Registration" notice indicating that I need a smog check. I called the DMV supervisor that handled my transaction and asked how I get a smog check for my Diesel powered motorhome.

Come to find out, when I purchased the motorhome in 2003, the dealer screwed up and registered it as a gasoline model.

It took about 3 weeks to solve that problem but, I didn't have to pay the penalty so I guess I won that battle.

Dennis,
As an Intermeccanica owner you should become aware of the rumored anti-Canadian sentiments in the Northern California seat of our Viva la Raza-tafarian government. In typical political double speak, ala an "Obama tax cut" or your "Vessel tax" you have been hit with a little known attempt to support the Canadian Border Fence Fund. This effort is apparently an attempt to staunch the annual flow of Canadian Snowbirds to far SoCal but mostly Arizona. The theory seems to be that the additional flow of Colorado River water to California resulting from the AZ/SoCal reduced water demand would direct attention away from usage by California's several hundreds of thousands "illegals" and the effort to save the Delta Smelt. Some say this is the real root of California's supposed water shortage. There are whispers that this dovetails into the plans of the Mexican government and the Catholic church to reclaim California mostly because of the success of their former slaves casinos. Unfortunately, Snopes has not yet confirmed any of this.

Someone take the pipe away from Roy...;)

Just got my rego renewal for my speedster here in Australia, I have it registered as a Beetle ( they have never seen it ) cost including 3rd party insurance ( injury to person ) =US$420 pa my V8 Thunderbird = US$590 pa, which is made up of Insurance, Rego fee, Traffic improvement fee and a Surcharge for god knows what.....

I said not to mention my bike, Ford Falcon and wife Suzuki Swift..... working for the man

Terry,
Just riffing. Since I'm not a politician I really don't expect anyone to take my BS seriously. Oh Oh, must have laid that pipe down somewhere I smell smoke.....No, it's Santa Barbara burning...again.

Roy, I regret that by a little known tactic called SpeedsterOwner'sMind Melt, my insanity and propensity to rant uncontrollably was passed to you during dinner in Morro Bay. You will get used to hearing the whispers " He's off his meds.", "Too much acid at the Joplin concert.", etc. Just use my excuse for my incoherent rambles, " I looked at a picture of Nancy Pelosi and imagined her with out plastic surgery. My mind euthanized it's self and I have been blissfully happy ever since. Try it, you'll like it!

Holy Carp! Speedy Reg. in PA...$36....Motorhome..$81. I don't know how youse guyz do it!

~WB

Uhhh...Roy..Pass us that pipe, will ya?

NY is weight based, Spyder is $24.50, for TWO years!

Insurance, $480, Hagerty, agreed value. It's just everything else in NY that costs more.

Will, I think mine started at a Greatful Dead concert. But having to look at Nancy Pelosi in any incarnation is just to frightening.

How the US Air Force avoids bird strikes

I've been out of town and have TRIED to call CA DMV, but if I continue to wait to actually talk to a human, the cell phone bill will exceed the registration increase.

I'll try the in-person with my contact in Glendale on Saturday. At least I can get it resolved by paying more there and not waiting on Sacramento.

AND, I can join the Coast Guard Auxillary with my 'vessel'.