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Originally Posted by roroskis
Hey guys, I need advice.
I purchased a BRZ from Heuberger Motors on 10/30, and I took delivery of the car on 11/7. From reading this thread, I thought that I'd have 20 days from the day the car was brought into CA to register the car in California, which gives me until the 26th or so. However, I tried to register today, and they charged me a late penalty fee, which was more than double the normal registration cost. I tried to contest it, but they said that the 20 days applies to the date the car was purchased, not when it was brought into California. I tried mentioning the nonresident vehicle information that's listed on the DMV site, but they said that since it's a new car it's not a nonresident vehicle.
I'm pretty annoyed right now honestly having to deal with this and being out an extra $400, but what's the right answer in this case, and what should I do? Thanks in advance.
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It's based on "20 days of entry". You need to print this page out and dispute it with the DMV office supervisor:
http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm
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Fees must be paid within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties. Any vehicle owned by a California resident must be registered within 20 days of entry into California unless a special permit was obtained.
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But honestly? I just write my "story" on the statement of facts. I don't recall the specific wording, but I wrote "purchased on approx 4/30, drove it back from Colorado on 6/30 and first entered CA on 7/1" and signed my name on the statement of facts.
-alex