Vehicle registration in Cali

[petitefleur86]

I was pulled over because I stupidly wasn't paying attention and crossed the double yellow line into the carpool lane. The officer asked if my vehicle was registered here in California. I told him no because I'm only here for a few months for work. He said "oh, I think you'll be here a lot longer than that." And I said that no, I was only here until May when my contract is up and then I'm going back to my home state.

He asked what kind of work I could possibly do for only a few months. I explained about travel nursing. He asked where I was staying and for the address. I gave it to him but explained that it isn't my actual address and that I have a permanent residence in my home state.

He said that I had the option of being ticketed for crossing the double yellow line or being ticketed for not having my vehicle registered. I offered to show him my contract proving that I was not an actual resident but he continued writing the ticket and gave me a court date. I contacted my recruiter, who is from a company BASED OUT OF CALIFORNIA, and she said she'd never heard of something like this.

Now I have to plead my case before a judge and pray he drops the fees.

Anyone know anything about this/have troubles similar?

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

Wow, bad luck, LMAO they are almost never on the interstate. Thanks for sharing. I guess others should say just visiting.

[NedRN]

Judge will find for you, this happens a lot. You made the right choice. Bring your contract to court (actually, you might avoid the court if you stop by the prosecuting attorney's office first with your contract and story), and if you have another assignment/extension planned in California, well, that is none of his business. California has a law about 9 months and you are automatically a CA resident, but it doesn't actually apply to contract temp workers (but after a year your tax home does shift - in any state, not just CA). But it is more difficult to fight if you say or imply you will/might be in CA over 9 months. Just say you are a traveler exploring the country and you don't know where you will work next.

[NedRN]

Wow, bad luck, LMAO they are almost never on the interstate. Thanks for sharing. I guess others should say just visiting.

California is very aggressive about taxes. They have billboards with 800 numbers to report out of state vehicles parked in your neighborhood. That is mostly to get registration fees as many residents register their car in Oregon, Arizona, or Nevada to save big - but also helps catch travelers in their net.

I once got an estimated tax bill from California for the previous year without having worked in California that year. Just keeping your license current often generates demand letters as the assumption is you are working there.

Some travelers keep a copy of their current contract in their car in case they get pulled over. Doesn't always work as cops are not well trained in the fine points of the law, they just ticket and let better trained lawyers and judges decide. But it works often enough to be worth it.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

I'll just say I am driving through to Oregon lol.

[caliotter3]

Just to add to your feelings of dismay, a neighbor in my apartment complex parked a car with the same out-of-state license plates for about seven years before they moved away. Who knows how long they were here before moving into the complex and how long that car stayed registered elsewhere after they left. Hope you prevail.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

Just to add to your feelings of dismay, a neighbor in my apartment complex parked a car with the same out-of-state license plates for about seven years before they moved away. Who knows how long they were here before moving into the complex and how long that car stayed registered elsewhere after they left. Hope you prevail.

I have heard of apartment complexes threatening renters to get in-state plates by towing vehicles. Not just CA but many other states.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

LOL I saw this girls post on facebook. The feedback was a lot. Those that had gotten pulled over did what I suggested. They told the officer they were just visiting or traveling through the state.

[NedRN]

The trouble with lying to an officer is being pulled over a month later.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

The trouble with lying to an officer is being pulled over a month later.

you're visiting again or driving back through. no crime against that.

[NedRN]

Heck, I wouldn't believe that story after you were pulled over a month prior. Cops are even more cynical and there will be a court appearance to find out the truth. Better have documented cause for two trips to California a month apart in court or it can result in a criminal conviction (probably a misdemeanor). Not a good thing to lie to a cop, and it is against the law.

[Wolf at the Door, BSN]

If you're in LA probably no chance for it to happen again. If You're in Selma, CA that cop probably has nothing else better to do. to each his or her own.