TO CA TRAVELERS-from COPS-register your car or get a ticket......

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To CA travelers--

I just got a letter in the mail saying that if I have to register my car my out of state car or I would be fined, and still be charged to register my car. Someone in my neighborhood must have reported me. They reported my boyfriends car too. He isn't a traveler, but he lives with me. I live in a medium sized town on the coast in a quiet neighborhood. In a vacation home also. When I called to question this they said because I was here over 20 days and had a job I had to register. They said it didn't matter if my company was based in Florida. They said it didn't matter if I was only here for 8 weeks. It doesn't matter if my housing is provided by my company and I'm not on the lease. Nothing I said mattered. I was told they would recheck my car and if it didn't have a license when they rechecked they would issue me a ticket. I asked what if I cancelled my contract and left tomorrow. They said, "it doesn't matter, you have already been here for 20 days and you will have to register even if you leave." Sounds like a load of crap but I really don't want a ticket, and a fine. Regeristing already cost 200. I asked what I had to do to appeal. They said I could go ahead and get a ticket "if I wanted" to and then go to court, but that would take atleast 3 months and I would have to come back to fight it. The cop even asked me if I wanted to report any other car. It is like they are looking for out of state license plates. I heard of this once before on this forum several years ago, but nothing since. My next door neighbor is brand new to the neighborhood, and she didn't get one. She had never heard of it either. I'm hoping people will consider this before they travel here, and that someone might have some advise for me. I can tell you Arnold will get a nasty letter from me tonight. I'm sick of paying stupid tax so he can smoke his cigars and drive around his hummer.

Michelle

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I resided in an apartment complex and saw the same out of state plates on cars for over two years. This issue was addressed in our local paper. Many students and travelers such as construction workers don't register their cars in CA. As for that matter, there are scores, probably hundreds or thousands of Californians who drive cars registered in Nevada. You have been the victim of selective enforcement, or like you said, somebody with a nasty attitude reported your car. That's part of living in CA, some people are just plain mean and the govt is after the dollar you earn.

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Talking to my traveler neighbors, I just found out my other neighbors (the ones who I think called) had there dog called in for barking. They probably asume it was us, but didn't bother to ask. I didn't even know they had their dog reported, nor do I find there dog a nuisance. I assumed it was them before I found out about the dog because they are long time california residence. What a pain in the butt. I'm still steaming over this and it has been several hours. Any legal advise out there? It should be illigal to pick and choose who you go after. I have only been here for 30 days.

Michelle

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

Why don't you try saying that you work 3 days a week and leave the state for 4 days a week; therefore, you technically haven't been there for 20 consecutive days. What are they going to do to prove that, follow you each day?

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Specializes in OB.

Have you contacted your company about this yet? If not, I would do so, speaking to your recruiter, possibly your housing coordinator and asking if they can refer it to their legal department or advisor as this will seriously impact your ability to complete your contract as well as impact future travelers they place there.

I'd also contact a lawyer (one who advertises initial consultation free) specializing in traffic court. Personally it would tick me off enough I'd be the one to come back to take it to court because I don't like being pushed. I'd probably also let the rental agent know that they were going to lose a lot of business on travelers' rentals if they didn't help you address this - especially if the complaining neighbor has the same landlord as you.

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Specializes in icu/er.
Why don't you try saying that you work 3 days a week and leave the state for 4 days a week; therefore, you technically haven't been there for 20 consecutive days. What are they going to do to prove that, follow you each day?

yea good idea tell them you work a stretch of 7 on 7 offs or 14 on and 14 off and you leave to go to navada or something to stay with friends...besides should'nt they be busy busting drug dealers...

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To CA travelers--

I just got a letter in the mail saying that if I have to register my car my out of state car or I would be fined, and still be charged to register my car. Someone in my neighborhood must have reported me. They reported my boyfriends car too. He isn't a traveler, but he lives with me. I live in a medium sized town on the coast in a quiet neighborhood. In a vacation home also. When I called to question this they said because I was here over 20 days and had a job I had to register. They said it didn't matter if my company was based in Florida. They said it didn't matter if I was only here for 8 weeks. It doesn't matter if my housing is provided by my company and I'm not on the lease. Nothing I said mattered. I was told they would recheck my car and if it didn't have a license when they rechecked they would issue me a ticket. I asked what if I cancelled my contract and left tomorrow. They said, "it doesn't matter, you have already been here for 20 days and you will have to register even if you leave." Sounds like a load of crap but I really don't want a ticket, and a fine. Regeristing already cost 200. I asked what I had to do to appeal. They said I could go ahead and get a ticket "if I wanted" to and then go to court, but that would take atleast 3 months and I would have to come back to fight it. The cop even asked me if I wanted to report any other car. It is like they are looking for out of state license plates. I heard of this once before on this forum several years ago, but nothing since. My next door neighbor is brand new to the neighborhood, and she didn't get one. She had never heard of it either. I'm hoping people will consider this before they travel here, and that someone might have some advise for me. I can tell you Arnold will get a nasty letter from me tonight. I'm sick of paying stupid tax so he can smoke his cigars and drive around his hummer.

Michelle

i would certainly get a legal take on this.....i know in the state i am in you have thirty days to register your car, IF you are establishing PERMANENT residency.....dont know about travelers...such as your self....i am wondering if the cop thinks you are simply lying, and the law is similar to mine.....good luck

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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

I agree that this doesn't sound right. I thought in order to register & license a vehicle in a particular state, you had to be a resident of that state. What's next? Are they going to tell you that you need a CA driver's license as well???? I just started a new assignment in San Diego- hopefully, the San Diego police have better things to do than harass me about my license plate.....

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

Out of curiosity I was looking through the CA motor vehicle website and couldn't find anything justifying what was told to you. In fact, I found the opposite.

"When fees are due

Commercial vehicles and any vehicle owned by a California resident must be registered upon entry into California unless a special permit was obtained. Visitors whose vehicles are properly registered to them in their home state may operate their vehicles in California until they:

Accept gainful employment in California.

Claim a homeowner's exemption in California.

Rent or lease a residence in California.

Intend to live or be located here on a permanent basis (for example, acquire a California driver license, acquire other licenses not ordinarily extended to a nonresident, registered to vote).

Enroll in an institution of higher learning as a California resident or enroll their dependents in school (K-12). "

Look for yourself,

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/

print up the info & tell everyone to leave you alone unless they can prove that some law exists contradicting the main CA law. I think you are just getting harrassed by ignoramuses & should take the advise given to inform your company and the apartment managment.

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yeah but they are saying travel nursing is "gainful employment in CA," which is stupid because I work for a company based in Florida. If that was the case anyone that was on TDY with the govt would need to register there vehicle if they drove in, even if they were here for only a few days.

Michelle

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Specializes in Peds, ER/Trauma.

Michelle- just show them your pay check stubs- they should all have your Florida company's address. As further proof, your annual W-2 for taxes should come from your company in FL, so legally, as far as the IRS is concerned, you are an employee of your company in FL, NOT the hospital in CA. Would they do the same thing to a business man attending a conference in CA??? Or a consulting firm who sends a business consultant to an assignment in California???

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Telemetry.

did you ever get this situation worked out?

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