Moving to California (temporarily) from NJ

[Supafreak]

Hey all,

I am in a bit of a car conundrum. I am moving to Los Angeles for grad school for a year from my home state of NJ. Instead of dealing with expensive transportation costs, I thought it would be easier to just get a car once I got out there. The question is, can I title and register it back home in NJ? I will only be in CA for one year, so I don't see why I should change my permanent residence. Also, taxes and fees are much lower in NJ... Also, I want to join my parents' (live in NJ) insurance plan. Does anyone have any experience related to this?

Is it feasible for me to do this? Should I just suck it up and register the car in CA? Or lastly, buy a car in NJ, eat the transportation costs, and ship it out to LA?

Any suggestions, advice, or anecdotes will be appreciated.


Thanks in advance.

-Freak

 

[The Stigenator]

California DMV requires that if you are staying for 10 days or more in the state of california, you need a CA drivers license. I believe you got to register your car in 30 days too. www.dmv.ca.gov ---> handy website.

On the flip side i know ppl with Pennsylvania DL and with a CA titled car. So I dont know.


edit:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/faq/faq.htm#Registration

read, its 20 days upon gaining residency.

 

[andylawcc]

just eat transportation cost, or just drive to LA. That way you can keep your current NJ license, title, registration, insurance and such. It's fine as I did it before, if cop pull you over just say you are traveling from out of state (supoosedly you should register your car to California license in a 2-3 weeks upon your arrival).

buying a new car in LA defiintely will cost you more than the transportation cost, also think about what you gonna do AFTER your one-year stay is over in LA? Sell the car at dirt cheap?

 

[BoomerD]

I know lots of people here with out-of-state plates. I kept Washington plates on my truck for over a year before I finally got ticketed...and changed them.

You pan probably get away with it for a while, but if the same cop stops/sees you several times, you're gonna get a fix-it ticket.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
you're gonna get a fix-it ticket.

which is like 10 bucks, but it is certainly a hassle to fix it (get CA plate, go to cop, cop signs off, goto court, dismiss)

 

[Ktulu]

If you're gonna go back home in a year why not just lie and say you're on vacation anytime you get pulled over?

 

[mugs]

How do you plan on getting the NJ inspection done?

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: mugs
How do you plan on getting the NJ inspection done?

Exactly what I was going to ask. As far as I know, without the NJ inspection you can't register the car.

 

[Supafreak]

Originally posted by: minendo

Originally posted by: mugs
How do you plan on getting the NJ inspection done?

Exactly what I was going to ask. As far as I know, without the NJ inspection you can't register the car.

From what I have read on the NJ DMV website, NJ inspections have to be done within ~15 days of new car registration. I figured, what the hell does LAPD care about NJ inspection? If I get a new car out in CA, it should come with a CA inspection sticker.

It sounds as though it is going to be a giant PITA dealing with 2 different states' bureaucracies. (I hate dealing with one now as it is...) So I guess I'll just license, title, and register in CA. I can't believe how ridiculously complicated it is to own a car from a legal standpoint. I feel like I am moving to another country.

Thanks guys,

-Freak

 

[Supafreak]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
just eat transportation cost, or just drive to LA. That way you can keep your current NJ license, title, registration, insurance and such. It's fine as I did it before, if cop pull you over just say you are traveling from out of state (supoosedly you should register your car to California license in a 2-3 weeks upon your arrival).

buying a new car in LA defiintely will cost you more than the transportation cost, also think about what you gonna do AFTER your one-year stay is over in LA? Sell the car at dirt cheap?

Yes, normally I would just get the car here and either transport/drive, but I have a friend with connections in CA and have already been offered a deal that beats anything Ive been offered locally (including transportation costs).

I will keep the car after the year is up. It will either be shipped or driven back east.

-Freak

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: TheGoodGuy
California DMV requires that if you are staying for 10 days or more in the state of california, you need a CA drivers license. I believe you got to register your car in 30 days too. www.dmv.ca.gov ---> handy website.

On the flip side i know ppl with Pennsylvania DL and with a CA titled car. So I dont know.


edit:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/faq/faq.htm#Registration

read, its 20 days upon gaining residency.

School or military assignment does not count for "forced" residency.

Temporary work assignments also can be used for ignoring the residency requirement.

this applies to most states.