Back fees in CA, any way to get around them?

cafepenguin

cafepenguin

Active Member
So as the title says, I'm looking to see if anyone knows a way to get around back fees in CA. I have a friend that is willing to sell me his CB550 for a good price, but when I call the DMV, there is $550 in back fees... So does anyone know a way to get around these? Are there any loop holes? I am originally from TX, so I have family there. I could try to register it there, then bring it back to CA, but I'm not sure if that would even work?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
 
I'm in the same shituation as you. I got the bike for basically nothing and got it almost completely done, then went to register and they want over 600 in back fees. Thinking of ways to make it a "homebuilt" or "built from scratch" frame. Maybe thats a way to get around it?
 
Best way is to be an educated buyer
Just to be clear, by loop hole you mean find something mildly illegal

I assume you can pay to register it in some other state and then have the bike "sold" back to you
 
Maybe just register it in TX and ride it around in CA as a TX bike? I know we can do that in Australia in the different states no problem.

Or get your friend to drop the asking price by $550 ::)

BTW - I don't get the back fees thing. EG - my XT500 is currently awaiting some love (in the form of a new piston). It is still registered, but if i decide to let the registration lapse for a few years, and then decide to re-register it.....are the back fees to pay for the years that I didn't use it on the road?

If so, that's just f*cked....
 
that is pretty easy to get away with, but it's still illegal at least in California to drive an out of state vehicle for an extended amount of time without registering it. There are exceptions, like if your still living in the other state or are in the military. And yes, in CA you must pay all back fees for the years you did not have it registered or on non op. Did find this interesting bit of info though, and it's right off they're site. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc9562.htm

At least you might be able to get out of the late fees...
 
Sounds like the party that is aware of the dues is the party responsible. Of course, I'm just interpreting what I saw in the link.
The fees may be waived if:
a. If you were not aware of the fees.
b. If the fees were not the fault the current owner.
c. If the fees were due prior to the sale and you were sold the vehicle without notice of the fees.
d. The fees become the debt of the seller. If the seller knew about the backpayments, it is their responsibility.

a and c seem similar.

But, don't take my quotes as law. I am interested in this "law" as I may move to Cali in the future.
 
These laws are ridiculous, I now have to bring my birth certificate, W-2, bank statement, and a utility bill just to renew my motorcycle permit in GA. Glad we don't have those fees... Yet. Won't need a picture Id to vote soon tho. Complete BS.
 
Wow, that's alot of money. Is there a statute of limitations on how long the fees are enforced?
 
there used to be. was about 7 or 8 years I believe. But now that Commiefornia is broke as joke, they are going back indefinetly on past due registration.
 
Isn't there like a super simple thing you can do if you are taking a bike off the road to avoid this?

You know, the responsible thing to do.
 
Hey Guys

Thanks for all the responses lately.

I ended up not buying the bike, because when I emailed my friend and told him I was looking to buy it, but needed him to figure out the back fees situation, he did not get back to me.... So... I ended up buying a different project bike somewhere else.
 
i know this is old, but this may be able to help in the future. if i vehicle has not been registered for 7 years, it goes out of the system(at least with cars) and you register it like a new vehicle. no back registration this way.
 
CA DMV has a website that you can perform a free vehicle look-up. I did it with a bike I wanted to verify that it was out of the system. Even if someone says its out of the system, its best to double-check! Like I tell my wife...Just a quick tip!!!!!
 
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