Moving to CA: Registration? License?

I’m moving to California (LA area) from Illinois in a couple of months
and I was wondering if some kind souls could tell me when I am supposed
to have my car registered in CA, get new license plates, and get
a new driver’s license.  Also, when do I really **have to** get these
things done?  My Illinois license plates don’t expire until April ’95
and my driver’s license doesn’t expire until June ’96.  How much should
I expect to pay to have my car registered in CA?…I have a ’92 Acura Integra.
Will I have to get new emissions for my car?  Any information would be greatly
appreciated.  Thanks!!

Gilbert Yu
gy2…@eehpx5.cen.uiuc.edu
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

18 Responses to “Moving to CA: Registration? License?”

  1. admin says:

    In article <328ofa$…@vixen.cso.uiuc.edu>, gy2…@eehpx5.cen.uiuc.edu (Gilbert Siang Yu) writes:
    |> I’m moving to California (LA area) from Illinois in a couple of months
    |> and I was wondering if some kind souls could tell me when I am supposed
    |> to have my car registered in CA, get new license plates, and get
    |> a new driver’s license.  Also, when do I really **have to** get these
    |> things done?  My Illinois license plates don’t expire until April ’95
    |> and my driver’s license doesn’t expire until June ’96.  How much should
    |> I expect to pay to have my car registered in CA?…I have a ’92 Acura Integra.
    |> Will I have to get new emissions for my car?  Any information would be greatly
    |> appreciated.  Thanks!!
    |>
    I just recently moved CA and had to undergo the same thing. I couldn’t answer
    any of the first few questions, since I got my car registered here as soon
    as I bought it in Texas. I’ve heard that if your a student then you can drive
    around in an out of state vehicle but as soon as you take up residency in CA,
    he have to register your car with the state. I’m not certain on this point
    though.

    What I’m certain of is this….. registration for my car (’92 Nissan 240SX)
    was about $170. This is a yearly fee as I’m told which kind of sux. I’m used to
    NY state where you only pay about $40 to register your car for two years
    (actually it might depend on the type of car, I don’t know…I had an ’81 BMW
    320i then). Anyway, I’m babbling. Since your is a ’92 car I wouldn’t be too
    worried about passing the smog inspection here. It’s a mandatory test you have
    to perform on your car, just like inspection in some states. Unless you’ve done
    something weird to your car it should pass. Mine did, with no problem. In case
    it doesn’t pass you have to…of course….fix the car so that it does.

    Another thing you should be aware of is the smog impact fee charged here. Check
    under your hood. On the inside there should be a sticker which says that your
    car was built according to Federal standards (or something like that). If it
    also says it was built to California standards then your ok. If it doesn’t be
    prepared to dish out $300 extra to register your car. What the guy at AAA told me
    was that this is done so as to discourage people from bringing in their
    out-of-state cars. Whatever……

    Anyway, hope this helps.

    Andrea
    ro…@corte-madera.geoquest.slb.com

  2. admin says:

    In article <328tld$…@k2.San-Jose.ate.slb.com>,

    ro…@lark.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Andrea Rosso) wrote:
    > under your hood. On the inside there should be a sticker which says that your
    > car was built according to Federal standards (or something like that). If it
    > also says it was built to California standards then your ok. If it doesn’t be
    > prepared to dish out $300 extra to register your car. What the guy at
    AAA told me
    > was that this is done so as to discourage people from bringing in their
    > out-of-state cars. Whatever……

    I have lived in California a couple of different times.  I was under the
    impression that this "impact fee" was only assessed when a person who
    already lives in California buys a "non-California" car out of state and
    brings it in.

    Things do change, though.


    This message courtesy of the Plant Operators’ Think Tank.

    p…@gate.net

  3. admin says:

    Got to register your car 7 days after moving in, dude!  At least it was that way
    when I moved here in ’90.  It may have changed to 14 days, I think that I have
    heard that recently.  One big thing to remember is that out here we have
    something called smog, and you will need to get your car checked once every two
    years.  The first time is the big one — it’s like $400.00 (for out of state car,
    just this once + the normal smog and registration (smog and reg depend on your
    car)  I think you said a newish integra, well you’ll definately get hit there,
    CA goes by age on the car, probably more than a couple hundred registration.

    About the license, I would do that too, real soon!  One thing is the road
    surfaces are pretty good around here, and who do think pays for it?  Well, partly
    comes from $$$ raised from these things, and taxes etc.

    I think you should come on out, check out the situation — if you plan on
    staying, do these things right away!!!!  It’s a no-no not too, and besides there
    are plenty-o-fines if ya get caught not doing it by the book!

    Brian

  4. admin says:

    In article <pj-1008940523590…@pjw.dffl.gate.net>, p…@gate.net (P.J. Wilkins) writes:

    |> I have lived in California a couple of different times.  I was under the
    |> impression that this "impact fee" was only assessed when a person who
    |> already lives in California buys a "non-California" car out of state and
    |> brings it in.
    |>
    |> Things do change, though.
    |>

    Unless they totally ripped me off, I don’t think so. They gave me a little
    flier which just stated that this applied for any car comming from out-of-state.
    I would think regardless of whether or not your a CA resident.

    Andrea

  5. admin says:

    In article <1994Aug9.191952.24…@MITL.Research.Panasonic.COM>, t…@ATVL.Research.Panasonic.COM (Teri Baukal) writes:

    You might want to wait a year. I read that the next PASSPORT will
    have HONDA egineers/designers involved in designing the interior.
    The current one is just a rebadged RODEO, but sounds like the next
    will have HONDA involvment, if that matters at all to you.

    Me peronally would wait for the new EXPLORER.

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                  * 85 Scirocco * 86 Scirocco 16V * 90 Bronco II *
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  6. admin says:

    In <1994Aug9.191952.24…@MITL.Research.Panasonic.COM> t…@ATVL.Research.Panasonic.COM (Teri Baukal) writes:

    >I would like to hear from other Rodeo/Passport owners about how they like their
    >vehicles. Any problems? I have only been to one Honda dealership, and I haven’t been
    >to Isuzu yet even though I know the Rodeo is the same car as the Passport, just
    >without the Honda name. I assume the Rodeo will be cheaper than the Passport only
    >because it doesn’t carry the Honda name. The Rodeo also has a better warranty: 5 years
    >or 65K miles as opposed to Honda’s which is 3 years/36K miles.

     I was just looking at Consumer Reports reliability charts…

     And the Isuzu Rodeo is 95% worse than average.

     I don’t know what that means, but it’s so low on the chart they had to
    split the bar in two, and specifically say it was 95%…

     The only one that is worse is the Jeep Wrangler at 107% below average.

     According to this chart, relatively good SUV’s are:

     Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Olds Bravada, Geo Tracker, Suzuki
    Sidekick(same as Geo).

     The Isuzu Trooper, Jeep Cherokee 4, Mazda Navajo, and Ford Explorer are
    not too far below average either 5-10%.

     Personally, I like the Nissan or the Olds, at least the ones I have seen.

     You might want to look around before setting your sights on a Rodeo.

    Steve Sheldon           [These are my own opinions]
    Iowa State University   ICSS Resource Facility by day
    shel…@iastate.edu     ProMap by night
       BEEF! — Cause the west wasn’t won on salad.

  7. admin says:

    IMHO, there are better SUV’s out there than the Rodeo/Passport.  Not that
    the Rodeo/Passport is bad (especially with the new Isuzu-made V6), but
    you can get better.  I think the Pathfinder, 4Runner, Grand Cherokee, and
    Explorer are all better vehicles (if you like, email me and I’ll tell
    why).  However, the Rodeo is the price winner in its class and there’s
    certainly something to be said for that.  You owe it to yourself to at
    least check out the others though.  If your heart is still set on a
    Rodeo/Passport, I’d recommend the Isuzu version since it will be less
    money for the exact same vehicle.  (That is, assuming that you can get
    good service from your local Isuzu dealer[s]).

    David.

    +—–==== opinions expressed do not represent those of my employer ====—–+
    | David L. Campbell, IBM Austin, TX         | "… and you eat your own soul |
    |   Internet:  dcamp…@austin.ibm.com      |        until the only thing    |
    |   VNET:      dcampbel at austin           |          left is appetite…"  |

  8. admin says:

    In article <DCAMPBEL.94Aug9224…@timshel.austin.ibm.com>, dcamp…@timshel.austin.ibm.com (David L. Campbell) writes:

    > IMHO, there are better SUV’s out there than the Rodeo/Passport.  Not that
    > the Rodeo/Passport is bad (especially with the new Isuzu-made V6), but
    > you can get better.  I think the Pathfinder, 4Runner, Grand Cherokee, and
    > Explorer are all better vehicles (if you like, email me and I’ll tell
    > why).  However, the Rodeo is the price winner in its class and there’s
    > certainly something to be said for that.  You owe it to yourself to at
    > least check out the others though.  If your heart is still set on a
    > Rodeo/Passport, I’d recommend the Isuzu version since it will be less
    > money for the exact same vehicle.  (That is, assuming that you can get
    > good service from your local Isuzu dealer[s]).

    > David.
    > —

    Agreed- except on one point.  Motorweek(tv) tested a Passport last week, and
    they liked it, with exception to the interior not being up to Honda’s standards.
    However, they said that the Passport EX (top of the line) was "several hundred
    dollars" less than the Isuzu.  The base Isuzu is cheaper than the base Passport
    though.  Go figure…

    Pico

  9. admin says:

    In article <sheldon.776468…@cresco.agron.iastate.edu>,

    shel…@iastate.edu (Steve Sheldon) writes:

     I was just looking at Consumer Reports reliability charts…

     And the Isuzu Rodeo is 95% worse than average.

     I don’t know what that means, but it’s so low on the chart they had to
    split the bar in two, and specifically say it was 95%…

     The only one that is worse is the Jeep Wrangler at 107% below average.

    > According to this chart, relatively good SUV’s are:
    > Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Olds Bravada, Geo Tracker, Suzuki
    >Sidekick(same as Geo).
    > The Isuzu Trooper, Jeep Cherokee 4, Mazda Navajo, and Ford Explorer are
    >not too far below average either 5-10%.
    > Personally, I like the Nissan or the Olds, at least the ones I have

    seen.

    > You might want to look around before setting your sights on a Rodeo.

    I understand that the Rodeo recieved a complete overhaul…New engine etc
    in 92.
    I believe that the older ones BEFORE 92 were trouble prone and may have
    sqewed the chart.

    Sean Alexander

  10. admin says:

    Looks like time for someone who actually has experience OWNING
    one of these posts an answer.  My wife is actually the owner of
    our 1993 Rodeo, but as I’ve been around it, driven it and had a
    good chance to assess it’s build quality, and overall design I
    think I can post some first hand info.

    It’s a nice truck/car.  My wife and I drove all the competitors
    vehicles and this was the right size and feel for us (well her
    actually) since some of the others were a bit more "trucklike".
    Me – I drive a RX7 turbo and a BMW 325…and the Rodeo is too
    slow, too soft and too much for the kind of spirited driving
    I like.  However, that goes for any SUV.

    We got a 93 – last year with vent windows, but no power mirrors.
    Whatever.  The "rig" has had NO problems, although there’s a very
    slight "squeek" in the steering column, which I suppose we’ll
    have the dealer look at when they do the next service (which is
    a recall for a camshaft seal).  Power is pretty good, it blows
    along just fine, although I still dislike auto tranny’s which we
    have in that vehicle.  Fuel economy is poor – 15-18mpg is all we
    get, but then that’s the same as my RX7, so for the weight and lack
    of aerodynamics it’s OK.  Off road we have barely done, like most
    SUV’s, and we were very impressed by the traction and ability.  Far
    more capability than we want to explore.

    Nits – The clock is mounted below the radio.  Dumb!  The outside
    mounted tire save interior room, but the hassle of opening the
    rear window, swinging away the tire, and then lowering the tailgate
    is a bit much – in my opinion.  I like the tire mounted under the
    back area better.  

    Final note – my wife LOVES this rig.  That’s really all that counts.


    Alan L. Peterman                                 (503)-684-1984 hm & work
    a…@qiclab.scn.rain.com                           Tigard, Oregon 97224
    As I get older the days seem longer and the years seem shorter!

  11. admin says:

    In article <1994Aug9.191952.24…@MITL.Research.Panasonic.COM> t…@ATVL.Research.Panasonic.COM writes:

    >I am intending to purchase a Honda Passport or Isuzu Rodeo Sports Utility Vehicle
    >(SUV) in the near future. The Honda dealership let me take a Passport for the evening

    Lemme guess, your other car is an Acura Vigor :-)

    Spiros


    Spiros Triantafyllopoulos                    Kokomo, IN 46904   (317) 451-0815
    Software Development Tools, AD/SI            c2…@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com
    Delco Electronics/GM Hughes Electronics      "Reading, ‘Rithmetic, and Readnews"

  12. admin says:

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    In article <328jto$…@mailer.fsu.edu> pa…@cac.psu.edu (Joe Pasko) writes:
    >From: pa…@cac.psu.edu (Joe Pasko)
    >Subject: *******Stealth ES vs RT************
    >Date: 9 Aug 1994 19:03:20 GMT
    >Keywords: stealth,es-rt
    >I’ve been looking at the Dodge Stealth and was considering
    >an ES or an RT.  I was considering and RT till I called
    >the insurance company looking for the price difference in
    >insurance:
    >Here it is:
    >92 Stealth RT(NON-TURBO): $2500/yr
    >92 Stealth ES           : $1500/yr
    >Called a few places and theses are about the mean prices.
    >I’m wondering what are the differences in the ES and RT ???
    >I assume that the RT is faster/nicer as it’s about 4K more,
    >but what makes it $1000/yr more in insurance ????

    It’s basically an excuse used by insurance companies to extort more money from
    their mostly captive audience.  For example, our 1986 Mazda 626 hatchback has
    a turbocharger which gives it a little more power at WOT; as if you briefly
    had a six cylinder engine.  This mild turbo has cost us hundreds of rediculous
    turbo "surcharges."  Yet, if it had a 3.0 liter six banger instead of a 2.2
    liter turbocharged engine, I doubt there would have been as much extortion.

    There are power/weight ratio tables that show that those vehicles with high
    values are involved in more accidents.  The point of contention I have is
    where the insurance companies draw the line.  I believe it one of the criteria
    is how to make up for revenue lost the previous year on fixing grandma’s
    Cadillac :)

    Regards,
    Eric Webb

  13. admin says:

    In <328jto$…@mailer.fsu.edu> pa…@cac.psu.edu (Joe Pasko) writes:

    >I’ve been looking at the Dodge Stealth and was considering
    >an ES or an RT.  I was considering and RT till I called
    >the insurance company looking for the price difference in
    >insurance:
    >Here it is:
    >92 Stealth RT(NON-TURBO): $2500/yr
    >92 Stealth ES           : $1500/yr
    >Called a few places and theses are about the mean prices.
    >I’m wondering what are the differences in the ES and RT ???
    >I assume that the RT is faster/nicer as it’s about 4K more,
    >but what makes it $1000/yr more in insurance ????

    Actually, the RT may not be faster, but it’s probably nicer.  Both the
    ES and RT have the same engine and tires, so acceleration should be
    similar.  The RT comes with a spoiler in the back, which may actually
    hurt acceleration.  It also comes with side-vents, a sportier
    suspension, and it’s a little lower to the ground.

    Other than that, the RT comes with a lot of things standard (like power
    everything, ABS, etc) that are optional on the ES.  If you like the
    features on the RT, and the insurance company is just going by whether
    the sticker says ES or RT on it, then you should probably look for an
    ES with an option package that adds almost all the RT features.  The
    only thing you’ll miss out on are the RT’s cosmetic features (spoiler,
    vents, etc).


    Sam Horrocks
    ICS Department, UC Irvine
    Email: s…@ics.uci.edu

  14. admin says:

    Joe Pasko (pa…@cac.psu.edu) wrote:

    : I’ve been looking at the Dodge Stealth and was considering
    : an ES or an RT.  I was considering and RT till I called
    : the insurance company looking for the price difference in
    : insurance:

    : Here it is:

    : 92 Stealth RT(NON-TURBO): $2500/yr
    : 92 Stealth ES           : $1500/yr

    : Called a few places and theses are about the mean prices.

    : I’m wondering what are the differences in the ES and RT ???

    : I assume that the RT is faster/nicer as it’s about 4K more,
    : but what makes it $1000/yr more in insurance ????

    : Comments/suggestions welcome:

    : —
    : =================================================================
    : Joe Pasko

    : Systems Development / Unix Systems Administration  
    : Supercomputer Computations Research Institute      pa…@scri.fsu.edu
    : Phone (904) 644-0193                               FAX   (904) 644-0098

    Many of the RT’s are twin turbo charged so it being the same model means
    not much to the insurance companies. Now you can see that now the only
    monopoly left after the Phone company is gone is THE INSURANCE COMPANIES!
    (excuse me for yelling.)

  15. admin says:

    Joe Pasko (pa…@cac.psu.edu) wrote:

    : I’ve been looking at the Dodge Stealth and was considering
    : an ES or an RT.  I was considering and RT till I called
    : the insurance company looking for the price difference in
    : insurance:

    : Here it is:

    : 92 Stealth RT(NON-TURBO): $2500/yr
    : 92 Stealth ES           : $1500/yr

    : Called a few places and theses are about the mean prices.

    : I’m wondering what are the differences in the ES and RT ???

    : I assume that the RT is faster/nicer as it’s about 4K more,
    : but what makes it $1000/yr more in insurance ????

    : Comments/suggestions welcome:

    That’s amazing!  Both the ES and the R/T have the 222-hp DOHC engine.  
    The R/T has perhaps wider tires, but that’s it!  I could understand the
    base Stealth being lower, since it has the 164-hp SOHC engine.  Maybe the
    insurance company made a mistake, and the lower rate is for the base model.

  16. admin says:

    : Many of the RT’s are twin turbo charged so it being the same model means
    : not much to the insurance companies. Now you can see that now the only

    Actually, the Turbo is "limited production" AND my insurance specifically
    notes turbo…

    Craig


    Craig Huffnagle
    To fly is human, to hover is divine!        ’91 Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo

    chuff…@dmso.dtic.dla.mil               I don’t think it up, I just type it.

  17. admin says:

    The ES Bites, every time I see one on the road it dimisihes the the feel
    of my RTT

  18. admin says:

    In article <328jto$…@mailer.fsu.edu>, pa…@cac.psu.edu (Joe Pasko)
    wrote:

    - Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

    > I’ve been looking at the Dodge Stealth and was considering
    > an ES or an RT.  I was considering and RT till I called
    > the insurance company looking for the price difference in
    > insurance:

    > Here it is:

    > 92 Stealth RT(NON-TURBO): $2500/yr
    > 92 Stealth ES           : $1500/yr

    > Called a few places and theses are about the mean prices.

    > I’m wondering what are the differences in the ES and RT ???

    > I assume that the RT is faster/nicer as it’s about 4K more,
    > but what makes it $1000/yr more in insurance ????
    > =================================================================
    > Joe Pasko

    > Systems Development / Unix Systems Administration  
    > Supercomputer Computations Research Institute      pa…@scri.fsu.edu
    > Phone (904) 644-0193                               FAX   (904) 644-0098

    If the non-turbo is $2500/yr, then how much is the twin-turbo version?
    Are you certain that they aren’t giving you the turbo price?  If given the
    choice based on $4K purchasing price, I’d go with the RT just because it
    looks so much cooler than the ES.  Same engine, wider tires, cooler
    plastic.
    Does anyone know whether the suspension or handling is any different?
    ————————————————————————-
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