SPCN Registration in Calif ??

I may be wrong but the DMV is going to ask for the cost of the vehicle and/or cost of all the parts used to make the vehicle. My guess would be that your registration fees will be determined by the totality of the cost to build the car. So, registration is going to be expensive.

Thanks Robert.. Thats what I guessed it  would be............Bruce

Is that first time or every year?

@DannyP posted:

Is that first time or every year?

In Kommifornia the registration goes down a very small amount each year as the car gets older. For instance my Speedster still costs over $200 per year even though I’ve had it six years because the first year was based on how much I purchased it for. And the DMV wonders why people lie when they buy used cars from private parties. DMV collects the 8.whatever sales tax, bs fee, another bs fee, some more bs fees, another bs fee because the other three weren’t enough, and finally the registration fee. The next year they just collect the registration fee which is a few dollars less than the previous year’s registration fee. It might eventually bottom out around $75 but that won’t be until the car is 20 years old. 

My 18 year old Ford truck was still over $200 to register each year. My new truck was almost $800. But hey, at least it’s not 10% or more property tax. 

My experience was they wanted to see receipts to verify the purchase price.  If you are buying turnkey that would be the Bill of Sale from the Vendor.  If self assembled, the pile of receipts that comprise the driveable car.  If built in phases that would be the 40 hp you bought at the swap, ditto the tranny, ditto wheels and tires, chassis, body kit, seats.

Improvements made later (unlike Building Permitted Home Improvements which add to the AV of your house) do not increase the Reg/Tax/fees of your car.  So wait until next year for the Technomagnesio wheels, full house 2332 or Subie, 5 speed close ratio box and High $$$ paint and interior work.

Thank you, Robert.

That’s how it works in Massachusetts, too, Robert!

@Gordon Nichols posted:

That’s how it works in Massachusetts, too, Robert!

That's unfortunate. It's just another way for big government to get in to your pockets. At least in California cars aren't taxed as personal property likes boats and jet skis. They charge you annual registration fees AND personal property tax because you're lucky enough to own a boat and or jet ski.

WOW.. now I know why people keep moving to Texas. Sales tax when purchased (registered) and an annual registration $75. State inspection fee $7. No property tax on personal vehicles.

I know we'll never move to Cali. Connecticut charges periodic personal taxes on vehicles also.

NY charges a one-time purchase tax. The registration fee is based on the weight of the vehicle, so the Spyder is cheap. But now they charge a Metropolitan Transit Authority fee, even though I never go near NYC or use the train if I can help it.

A yearly inspection is less than $20, no emissions for old cars, and then there is insurance. Overall, for the high taxes on everything else, we don't get it too bad for vehicle fees.

When I look at some of these taxes and fees, I'm actually glad, for once, that I live in Pennsylvania. 6% state plus 1% county sales tax on purchase. Title fee is one-time, $55. Registration is $38 annually to the state, plus $5 for the county. Specially-constructed vehicles like kit cars aren't eligible for antique plates, or it would be $81, one time only, with no annual inspection required. State inspection is $38.50 per year.  

The last part chaps my ass. The dude running around in the original Model A with cheesy mechanical brakes doesn't need to get his car inspected, but my well-built and meticulously maintained Porsche replica with disk brakes on all four corners and a dual-circuit master cylinder does, even though my collectible car insurance policy limits my driving to 3000 miles of pleasure use per year. 

I’m glad I talked my dmv into titling my Spyder as a 1955. $20/year for 40+ year old cars.