California Pickup Truck Registration Cost

[Cliffman]

Not sue where to post this so moderator please put this in the correct forum category if need be.



Times are tough and money is tight. The state of California classifies our trucks as a commercial vehicle if you have an open bed. This is ridicules in my view. My cost this year for my 01 is over $250. 00 for the weight fee alone not to mention all the other fees that total over $450. 00. Now, if you put a camper shell on the truck the DMV will reclassify to a non-commercial status therefore removing the commercial fee of $250. 00. Now, if someone were to steal that camper shell that would be a darn sham :{ as I have personalized plates that do not depict the classification of my truck. :-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[Simplysmn]

I do know if you get caught hauling without the proper plates they can and will find you more then it would of cost you in the first place . what I have done with my truck is I have the Disabled Person plates and it takes the major part of the weight fee's off but I have yet to recieve my tag renewal for this yr . But this also does not stop me from hauling so I am safe . I would check into it before going the replate route

 

[Cliffman]

Please define "DP" plates?

 

[HBarlow]

You guys who live in the socialist utopia shouldn't complain about a few hundred dollars here and a few thousand there for the privilege of living there and being lead by arnold, nancy pelosi, boxer, and the other goofy batch not to mention the state legislators.

After all, how will the state legislature provide all the freebies for illegal immigrants and Tijuana residents, marital benefits for domestic partners, enhanced enforcement of exhaust emissions, climate warming reduction, and all the other wonderful liberal programs you support.

I used to love visiting San Diego but after reflection decided to cancel our July reservations at the RV park at Admiral Baker Field in SD and go somewhere where there are fewer liberals, nutcases, taxes, fees, rules, regulations, and illegal immigrants.

It's a beautiful city. Too bad it is part of CA.

 

[Cliffman]

I knew that was coming... What took you so long?

 

[Jefff929]

Please define "DP" plates?

Disabled Person maybe?



So if I moved to CA, you are saying that I'd have to pay extra for not having a tono cover or topper?

 

[Pavemen]

my understanding is that the DMV is no longer allowing camper shells to be used for reclassifying from commercial pickup to passenger, even if the shell is 'permanently mounted'.

 

[Cliffman]

Disabled Person maybe?



So if I moved to CA, you are saying that I'd have to pay extra for not having a tono cover or topper?

Well, guess that depends on what your local DMV is getting now. California residents have to pay a "weight fee" if your truck is classified as a "commercial” Vehicle. One California’s definitions of a commercial vehicle is a pickup truck with an open bed. Bam! $250. 00 please…

 

[Cliffman]

my understanding is that the DMV is no longer allowing camper shells to be used for reclassifying from commercial pickup to passenger, even if the shell is 'permanently mounted'.

Not true. Just called the California DMV today to confirm.

 

[Pavemen]

Not true. Just called the California DMV today to confirm.

good to hear, but like posted above, get caught without the camper and hauling something, be prepared to pay up.

 

[Cliffman]

be prepared to pay up.

Well, If indeed my camper was stolen and somehow my new vehicle status just happned to slip my mind and on the off change I got pulled over I wonder what the fine would be?

 

[Pavemen]

Well, If indeed my camper was stolen and somehow my new vehicle status just happned to slip my mind and on the off change I got pulled over I wonder what the fine would be?

not sure, at least back fees i would assume. however, when I bought my truck used, the reg has a "01500" weight and i was paying like $120 registration. either a typo (10500 is the gvwr) or the previous owner was able to get it reg'd that way.

when the news about smogging diesels started, i had it weighed and reclassified to avoid the low gvwr testing that was to start first. now my reg fees are $323 with the higher gvwr.

the lady at the counter was nice enough to not charge back due fees and fines for the 5 years is was reg'd that way that I was told i would owe when I called the DMV.

 

[Jefff929]

So, being rather ignorant about this I have to ask.



Does this mean you are going to have to stop at scales, keep a log book or are eligible to use your pickup for pay?



Taking it one step further, if that happens, will you have to get the federal weight info on the cab?





#@$%!

 

[AMink]

If you're not hauling commercial, how can it be considered "commercial"? California never ceases to amaze me with their weird laws. Unfortunately, the crud is creeping east. #@$%!

 

[Cliffman]

So, being rather ignorant about this I have to ask.



Does this mean you are going to have to stop at scales, keep a log book or are eligible to use your pickup for pay?



Taking it one step further, if that happens, will you have to get the federal weight info on the cab?





#@$%!

None of the above apply... They just want your $$$$$

 

[Regcabguy]

If you're not hauling commercial, how can it be considered "commercial"? California never ceases to amaze me with their weird laws. Unfortunately, the crud is creeping east. #@$%!

Yeah,the crud starts here and spreads. Vote out the crud next time.

 

[Allnew2Me]

I have been doing this for over 20 years on four different trucks so I'll share what I know.



An open bed vehicle, our truck, is classified commercial by body style, not by use.

When you put a shell or a slide-in camper on the truck it effectively changes the body style in the eyes of the CA DMV to a "human habitable" vehicle. If you take it down for verification and fill out the form it is re-registered. You don't have to pay the weight fee and you change the plates to non-commercial plates, which is just a difference in the letter and number sequence. The weight fee can be considerable, especially on new truck, and more for a 3/4 or 1 ton. Cliffman is paying over $250 a year and that is on a truck that is 10 years old. The shell or camper pays for itself in short order.



By "permanantly attached" they don't mean that it has to be welded on, it just means that you are not going to remove it. If you do remove it you can be cited for having the wrong registration. If you have personalized plates you won't be stopped because a cop can't tell, but if you get pulled over for another reason and they see that you are not in compliance, then you can get hit for that.



You can haul anything you want in the truck, just like you can haul anything in your car, this doean't have anything to do with use. Many think that if you haul a bucket of sand you are busted but this is not true. You can haul lumber and concrete in a Honda Accord legally and that does not make that it a commercial vehicle because body style, not use, determines the classification.



You dont have to stop at scales or do anything different, it just allows you to not pay the weight fee on your registration each year.

 

[HBarlow]

Yeah,the crud starts here and spreads. Vote out the crud next time.

I'm completely in agreement with that suggestion!

 

[Bob Cochran]

I can remember years and years ago my Dad registered his truck commercial. He did this because as a mechanic and if he stopped to help somebody using tools from his truck he was liable for fines of some kind by the state. This was a LONG time ago so don't remember the details but California has been the leader in craziness for a very long time. Born and raised there and turned 18 an left!!!!! Gees h that was 44 years ago. I am getting old but the mind still thinks young at least.

 

[Cliffman]

I have been doing this for over 20 years on four different trucks so I'll share what I know.



An open bed vehicle, our truck, is classified commercial by body style, not by use.

When you put a shell or a slide-in camper on the truck it effectively changes the body style in the eyes of the CA DMV to a "human habitable" vehicle. If you take it down for verification and fill out the form it is re-registered. You don't have to pay the weight fee and you change the plates to non-commercial plates, which is just a difference in the letter and number sequence. The weight fee can be considerable, especially on new truck, and more for a 3/4 or 1 ton. Cliffman is paying over $250 a year and that is on a truck that is 10 years old. The shell or camper pays for itself in short order.



By "permanantly attached" they don't mean that it has to be welded on, it just means that you are not going to remove it. If you do remove it you can be cited for having the wrong registration. If you have personalized plates you won't be stopped because a cop can't tell, but if you get pulled over for another reason and they see that you are not in compliance, then you can get hit for that.



You can haul anything you want in the truck, just like you can haul anything in your car, this doean't have anything to do with use. Many think that if you haul a bucket of sand you are busted but this is not true. You can haul lumber and concrete in a Honda Accord legally and that does not make that it a commercial vehicle because body style, not use, determines the classification.



You dont have to stop at scales or do anything different, it just allows you to not pay the weight fee on your registration each year.

Well said! I know there's a lot of "anti-Kalifornians" here but let try and keep this on subject and leave the politices for another thread.