Weigh truck prior to going to DMV

[abdiver]

I need to ask my fellow Calif members about DMV as THE $@#&ING DMV MAKES IMPOSSIBLE TO ASK A HUMAN A QUESTION. I scheduled an appt online for this thursday.



Do I need to weigh my Truck prior to going to DMV or can I just pay fees on my first visit to Calif DMV?



Is it better for the truck to be as light as possibe or does it just need to be under a specific weight?



Thanks Bill

 

[red-rider]

Did you buy your truck at an auction or something? I remembered back when I had my regular gasser I bought at an auction and had to weigh it, I would just go to a free scale and make sure they give you the print out though because the DMV is going to want to see it. I know of three free scales, ones located in Riverside CA off of Iowa street, one in Fontana, at the truck stop I think its off of Cherry and the other is in Ontario at the other truck stop off of Milliken or Haven.



I know the BS the DMV here put you though.

 

[RTuvell]

The California DMV will require you to get your truck weighed before they will complete your registration. The reason is that California considers "pickups" to be commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles are required to pay a "weight fee" in addition to all of the other fees. Here's a link to the DMV weigh fee schedule for pickups:



http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/fees/weight_less.htm



There are a number of taxes/fees that you will be charged at time of registration. Here are the top three:



Sales tax based on sales price

Vehicle licensing fee based on sales price

Commercial weight fee based on certified weight receipt



The vehicle licensing fee and commercial weight fee are also paid again each year at time of registration renewal.



The good news is that diesel engines are exempt from SMOG tests in California.

 

[mberry]

True

The California DMV will require you to get your truck weighed before they will complete your registration. The reason is that California considers "pickups" to be commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles are required to pay a "weight fee" in addition to all of the other fees. Here's a link to the DMV weigh fee schedule for pickups:



http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/fees/weight_less.htm



There are a number of taxes/fees that you will be charged at time of registration. Here are the top three:



Sales tax based on sales price

Vehicle licensing fee based on sales price

Commercial weight fee based on certified weight receipt



The vehicle licensing fee and commercial weight fee are also paid again each year at time of registration renewal.



The good news is that diesel engines are exempt from SMOG tests in California.

RTuvel, good info. I haven't lived in CA for almost 7 years and was wondering if you can still avoid the commercial vehicle stuff by having a camper shell on the bed? That used to be all that was required but I don't know what it is anymore if it even exists at this time.

 

[RTuvell]

RTuvel, good info. I haven't lived in CA for almost 7 years and was wondering if you can still avoid the commercial vehicle stuff by having a camper shell on the bed? That used to be all that was required but I don't know what it is anymore if it even exists at this time.

Yes, you can still avoid the commercial weight fee if you have a camper shell on your pickup.

 

[SBashaw]

RTuvell, How did you get an 03 HO into Calif?

Did you buy it with over 7500 miles on it?

Just curious

 

[MickeyMiller]

I've got an '03 HO (bought it while working in Montana) that I'm about to register in California. Does the above thread mean that I can save $266 by just putting a shell on my truck? I've been looking at the Bestop Pickup Top anyway... I better do it before going to the DMV.

 

[RTuvell]

RTuvell, How did you get an 03 HO into Calif?

Did you buy it with over 7500 miles on it?

Just curious

Yes, I bought my 03 HO used with over 7500 miles on it.

 

[RTuvell]

I've got an '03 HO (bought it while working in Montana) that I'm about to register in California. Does the above thread mean that I can save $266 by just putting a shell on my truck? I've been looking at the Bestop Pickup Top anyway... I better do it before going to the DMV.

Yes, you will not be charged a commercial weight fee if you register your pickup with a shell on it.

 

[ramtifosi]

The cheapest thing to do is move, I lived in Redondo Beach for 21 years and bought a new truck from Oklahoma just before I moved (30 days ahead) it was CA ilegal HO and when I got to SC the Sales Tax was $ 300 vs CAs approx $3000. I moved 16 months ago. You' all an't goin' to see me back. Gee CA was a nice place when I moved there but not when I left. Just swapin' oceans and attitudes.

 

[abdiver]

I've got an '03 HO (bought it while working in Montana) that I'm about to register in California. Does the above thread mean that I can save $266 by just putting a shell on my truck? I've been looking at the Bestop Pickup Top anyway... I better do it before going to the DMV.

MickeyMiller, You have to register your vehicle before 20 days of entering California otherwise Calif will charge you penaltys for being over 20 days AND I would guess these Penaltys are LARGE another way the state can get some more money from us.



Good luck, Bill

 

[abdiver]

RTuv,Thanks good information I was at DMV site earlier and did not see this site Thanks again, Bill

 

[hasselbach]

The cheapest thing to do is move, I lived in Redondo Beach for 21 years and bought a new truck from Oklahoma just before I moved (30 days ahead) it was CA ilegal HO and when I got to SC the Sales Tax was $ 300 vs CAs approx $3000. I moved 16 months ago. You' all an't goin' to see me back. Gee CA was a nice place when I moved there but not when I left. Just swapin' oceans and attitudes.

adios amigo!

 

[catoiler]

One thing other than the shell that has to be permently attached is it has to have a seat and seat belts. One small problem with that idea is if the cops catch you with anything in the bed other than a person you won't like the ticket!If you pull the shell off to haul something that is another ticket. Best just to pay the weight fee and be able to use it like a truck if you want to. When you weigh it make as light as possible as that is what you pay on. When I weigh one for DMV I take every thing off that i can,spare tire,tailgate and anything else that will unbolt!even been known to miss one wheel on the scale! I also am not 100% sure if they still do the shell thing or not. someone told me about a year ago that they did not do it anymore.

 

[hasselbach]

One thing other than the shell that has to be permently attached is it has to have a seat and seat belts. One small problem with that idea is if the cops catch you with anything in the bed other than a person you won't like the ticket!If you pull the shell off to haul something that is another ticket. Best just to pay the weight fee and be able to use it like a truck if you want to. When you weigh it make as light as possible as that is what you pay on. When I weigh one for DMV I take every thing off that i can,spare tire,tailgate and anything else that will unbolt!even been known to miss one wheel on the scale! I also am not 100% sure if they still do the shell thing or not. someone told me about a year ago that they did not do it anymore.

I don't think this is true, at least when I did my shell on my last truck. No one can ride in the back of the truck with a fiberglas shell. I didn't have to have a seat nor seat belts to get the non commercial plates. But yes, if you put even a shovel in the back you can get a ticket. But, for the 10 years that I had a shell, I took it off regularly and threw motorcycles in the back and never once had a problem.

 

[GCross]

DMV will require a certified weight ticked from a CA weighmaster. This is available at most truck stops. I went to register mine thinking I could use the shipping weight on my invoice, but had to get the certified weight and return the next day. It weighed 7440# with full fuel and the bed cover installed.



-George-

 

[catoiler]

I don't think this is true, at least when I did my shell on my last truck. No one can ride in the back of the truck with a fiberglas shell. I didn't have to have a seat nor seat belts to get the non commercial plates. But yes, if you put even a shovel in the back you can get a ticket. But, for the 10 years that I had a shell, I took it off regularly and threw motorcycles in the back and never once had a problem.

That is all part of the new laws and the reason why I was told they do not do the shell thing anymore.

 

[abdiver]

GCross,

I am going to weigh my truck today and see if is worth it to re-weigh it after removing aprox 370 lbs to be under 7000 it should be close. Will post my weight tonite

 

[abdiver]

Weighed truck today

GCross,

I am going to weigh my truck today and see if is worth it to re-weigh it after removing aprox 370 lbs to be under 7000 it should be close. Will post my weight tonite

Well I pulled on to the scale on fumes it weighed out at 6960 I was not in the truck. Glad I was under 7000



Bill

 

[RTuvell]

That is all part of the new laws and the reason why I was told they do not do the shell thing anymore.

I'm not sure where you got your information but I had no problems getting my truck registered with a shell and avoiding the commercial weight fee. And I don't have seats or seatbelts in the bed so I have no idea what that is all about.