California DMV fun, registering new TM

[B_and_D]

After finally receiving our title docs in the mail this week, I made an appointment with the CA DMV. I was concerned because our Oregon trip permit expired today, and our appointment isn't until next week, wanted to get a one day trip permit to take it down there, also wanted to check out the DMV office to see where we'd park the TM to have them visually inspect it (to see if there were any weird maneuvers we'd have to make to get it into the lot).

It was an eye opener for me to find out that they were going to charge us a penalty for late registration (? it hasn't been on the road, just parked on our property) even tho it's only been 18 days since be brought it into CA. Plus, the lady, who seemed like a veteran DMV employee, really had to search through her books (which were not complete, or out of date) and also consult with her supervisors to determine which kind of a license she should issue. We ended up starting the registration process early and when she put the stuff into the computer, it did not compute a penalty. Had to write a check, and she gave me a one day permit to tow it down there next week. H says for that amount of money they should come to OUR house and inspect it. I told her that, and got a major eye-roll. Another discovery, we will have to tow it down there closed and open it up, as the id is on the lower shell. They were so fascinated by the concept of the TM (kind of a pop-up, not a "tent trailer", hard sided, etc), that I'm sure they are all looking forward to all actually seeing it when we bring it in. She also told me that since it can be "lived in" that we can't get a non-op permit for it but will have to keep it licensed every year. The license portion was about $90.

It was interesting having them decide what classification the TM belonged to. Long and short of it, if you have a canvas popup, it's a PTI (only have to license it once every 7 years for like $20) but the TM's can be "lived in" so they are classified differently. At least that's what they decided.

Can't wait until next week when we bring it in.

DMV is an interesting place this week. Daughter is getting her permit soon so we will be back shortly for that. They aren't issuing the illegal alien licenses until 2004 (no, it's not a joke, it's for real) but I wonder if a lot of people in the DMV were there for that.

Actually, I think most of the traffic there was from the impending 3x license fees that are scheduled to take place on Oct. 1st.