Car registration renewal and drivers licenses

HyperAquaBlast

Ok so the car I have now is registered in California and I now live in Virginia because of the military but my license is from Texas my original home which expires in February. Now I know if you are in the military you don't have change your registration from your home address when you move. The thing is I have no home but where I live now.

Does it matter if I just pay California for the new sticker or should I go to the Virginia DMV change everything. What about insurance which I guessed is based on my previous California residence but runs out in January?

exoplasm

Might as well switch over to Virgina tags and insurance. California stuff won't do you any good anyway, at least insurance-wise.

Oh and don't forget to get a new driver's license if yours is going to expire.

a penguin

Just an FYI, VA does state inspections, so be ready for that. It's not a big deal, but it's there.

HyperAquaBlast

So I should just totally convert to the Old Dominion. Very well, I guess I now have plans for Friday morning.

So what do i do about my California stuff? I have the notice right here for renewal but it doesn't say anything about not doing it other than a fee for nonoperation and late payment fees.

exoplasm

When you register in VA they should automatically notify CA about it. Just ask at the DMV or what have you. Damn Texas and their tax office/public safety office nonsense...

HyperAquaBlast

Alright then. Final question: Should I expect to go to the DMV like I'm waiting for a Wii? Like 2 hours before it opens on a Friday? The last time I was at one I remember ridiculous lines but it looked like people were just hanging out and not waiting for anything.

Evil_Reaver

HyperAquaBlast wrote: »

So what do i do about my California stuff? I have the notice right here for renewal but it doesn't say anything about not doing it other than a fee for nonoperation and late payment fees.

I have been dealing with the California DMV a lot as of late, so I feel like I'm an expert in this field. According to CA car registration code/law/whatever, you have to tell the CA DMV that you have left the state.

http://dmv.ca.gov/vr/vr_info.htm#moving

exoplasm

It depends. When I lived in California the rule of thumb was to get there as close to 5:00 as possible. They suddenly become really efficient when the doors are locked.

In San Antonio, I've never had to wait more than 5-10 mins.

Evil_Reaver

HyperAquaBlast wrote: »

Alright then. Final question: Should I expect to go to the DMV like I'm waiting for a Wii? Like 2 hours before it opens on a Friday? The last time I was at one I remember ridiculous lines but it looked like people were just hanging out and not waiting for anything.

It really depends on which field office you go to. LA DMV field offices are generally going to be packed from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. because there are millions of drivers in LA. The DMV offices in my hometown (Oklahoma City) are never full and you generally never wait in line. Your wait time is completely dependent on what city you are in.

Aurin

Also, depending on how the state does registration/license expirations is how packed it will be. Some states make them expire at the beginning of the month, some they expire on birthdays, so normally middle of the month is a good guesstimate. :P

Thanatos

California has the easiest DMV system ever. You go online, you make an appointment, you show up at the appointed time, and your number is the next one called. In and out in 15 minutes.

Lord Yod

Thinatos wrote: »

California has the easiest DMV system ever. You go online, you make an appointment, you show up at the appointed time, and your number is the next one called. In and out in 15 minutes.

Unless you're there for something they don't make appointments for, such as a driving record. (i.e. I was in line for six hours)

See if you can just notify the CA DMV online, or possibly by mail.

Thanatos

Lord Yod wrote: »

Thinatos wrote: »

California has the easiest DMV system ever. You go online, you make an appointment, you show up at the appointed time, and your number is the next one called. In and out in 15 minutes.

Unless you're there for something they don't make appointments for, such as a driving record. (i.e. I was in line for six hours)

See if you can just notify the CA DMV online, or possibly by mail.

You can get driving records from the DMV via U.S. Mail.

Evil_Reaver

Thinatos wrote: »

California has the easiest DMV system ever. You go online, you make an appointment, you show up at the appointed time, and your number is the next one called. In and out in 15 minutes.

Again, it all depends on which office you go to. An appointment at the Van Nuys office in Los Angeles will net you a wait time of 30-45 minutes versus the 2-4 hour wait time for walk-ins. It's all about location.