DMV License and weight taxes...

[Artemus Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by pineranch

Dumb question so will accept dumb answer. What about vehicles not registered in California, do they stop?
Mike

Technically , I was told you are under your own states rules, not Ca, if passing through! Just like our window tinting, front license plate regulations. If visiting your exempt , or should be according to CHP. That said, our CHP in Northern Ca love to inspect RVs that look heavy, or display visual violations. Good example is Travel Trailer chains not crossed! See it all the time along I 5 near Mt Shasta.

[K0LCB]

Think I may just avoid California

[Carl n Susan]

To add insult to injury, you CA F350 DRW owners are theoretically subject to the same problems as Artemus. Because a F350 DRW (and most likely the Chevy/GMC and Dodge equivalents) has a GVWR in excess of 15,000 lbs, they are no longer considered pickups. Consequently they are subject to the same MCP Permits, Weight Stickers, and stopping at weigh stations as the F450s and regular Semi's. Obviously the recreational truck category has grown faster than CA's regulations. But until some legislator with a big DRW and RV is affected, don't expect much change.

I think I will stay with my F350 SRW for a while.

[bncinwv]

I agree with Leonard. Note to self: Never, ever move to California!
Bingo

[brenkco]

Artemus,

I realize you hadn't intended this thread to take off in this direction, but I for one, appreciate the knowledge. It will also save me some stress and argument when I head to dmv to register the beast. Thank you......and I'll feel your pain, shortly!

Ken

[Art-n-Marge]

All this latest discussion reminds me why we don't plan to upgrade the truck or trailer. Right now, we are under the higher limits that mean we need to get more license, pay higher fees and the like. We'd like a dually, but they are all too highly rated and will cost more in fees. I do have the RV endorsement on my license, but not DW so she'll never help me drive and she's happy with that. In the case of a mishap, she's got numbers to call.

[h2ojocky]

We may pay higher fees but you can't beat the weather!

[seahunter]

So, do you folks in California end up having to pay commercial rates for insurance too then? I remember when I first thought of the F-450 I called for insurance rates and they quoted me for a work truck being the 450. I told the guy they are selling the 450's as "personal vehicles" to tow the heavier fifth wheels now. I told him they are in the "normal" truck brochure and not the "work truck" brochure like with the chassis cabs. He was able to go to Ford's website and see an F-450 listed in the personal truck options, and so he did actually quote me for personal-use.

[Artemus Gordon]

Greg I had to get my insurance company to rewrite my policy. They insisted it was commercial. After providing info I got them to write it lower. I still had to buy " umbrella policy to meet the 750,000 liability" requirement for DMV !

[richfaa]

In Ohio we drive on a regular ole Ohio Drivers license. No special testing or license for a Rv of any size. Total cost of license plates for the Montana and the F-350 was 104.00.

[steelpony5555]

It's no wonder all the folks from Calif are moving to Austin....and that's no joke lol lol lol

[Artemus Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by steelpony5555

It's no wonder all the folks from Calif are moving to Austin....and that's no joke lol lol lol

Texas, is not my first choice Steelpony! Lol

[steelpony5555]

But if you visit Austin I would bet 80% of the residents are from Ca. Back in the 80's and early 90's a bunch of tech companies relocated here from Ca. .... But now they just keep on coming lol lol

[brenkco]

I emailed the CHP to verify what we have been discussing and what we have read. An officer from Sacramento called me with specific answers to my questions:

1. Do I have to stop at scales when towing my 5th wheel RV?
Answer: Yes, all vehicles with a GVWR in excess of 11,500 must stop whether towing or not. He cited vehicle code section 471 that defines a pickup. All commercial vehicles must stop. Since the truck must stop, there is no RV exception according to the officer. The purpose of the stop according to the officer is to verify equipment, condition and licensing.

2. Do I need a MCP permit and display name and numbers on the truck?
Answer: No. He cited vehicle code section 34601 (G). However if you are using your truck for purposes other than those listed in the code section, then you need the MCP permit. I guess hauling firewood would require the MCP permit!

As far as Greg's question about insurance (that is my business), it is at the discretion of the insurance company. Some companies recognize that an F450 as a pickup and allow it on a personal policy providing its primary use is for towing an RV or pleasure use.

Ken

[Artemus Gordon]

Ken : check this code section and link. This was given to me by CHP Captain in regard to stopping at weigh station! See what you think. He said we don't have to stop? Just searching for truth like you ! Let me know your thoughts ?

34601 C2G

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d14_85/vc34601.htm

[brenkco]

Mike,
I will when the DMV website is back up. I saw they were concerned about being hacked so perhaps they took the site down. I just got back from the DMV trying to get the study materials for a Non-commercial class A and the applications. She kept giving me the wrong stuff, I'd stand back and read the requirements and ask again. Three tries and a different employee, I finally was able to leave with what I needed.

Keep asking the same questions and get different answers. Like you, I just want the truth....and just want to do the right thing!

I'll let you know what I find out!

Ken

[Artemus Gordon]

quote:Originally posted by brenkco

Mike,
I will when the DMV website is back up. I saw they were concerned about being hacked so perhaps they took the site down. I just got back from the DMV trying to get the study materials for a Non-commercial class A and the applications. She kept giving me the wrong stuff, I'd stand back and read the requirements and ask again. Three tries and a different employee, I finally was able to leave with what I needed.

Keep asking the same questions and get different answers. Like you, I just want the truth....and just want to do the right thing!

I'll let you know what I find out!

Ken

So funny! Same thing happened to me. They could not find the test. No one ever heard of it! Lol. They called Sacramento and then found the test. Exactly like the RV book! Lol

[brenkco]

Mike,
From what the CHP officer explained to me is that the section you are referring to exempts us from the MCP permit requirement, not the scales.
For what its worth, my interpretation is as follows:
CVC Section 34601 2 G 2 defines the parameters that exempts our trucks if used solely for RVing from the MCP permit requirements
CVC Section 27900 requires id that we are except from
CVC Section 34501.12 requires inspection of maintenance that we are except from
CVC Section 34507.5 requires name and number display on the truck that we are exempt from

Bottom line is that this validates what the officer told me. We are always required to stop at scales if open and our GVWR exceeds 11,500 lbs. This is regardless of us empty or towing.

Bummer!

[Artemus Gordon]

Ok. Can't argue with that! I have not been stopping at station near home, never seen a fiver. I will go there next week. Show them my "AppleJacks decoder ring" and Astronaut application and see what they say ! Thanks again!

[garyka]

And I thought NY was bad