Bullet holes and DMV back fees...

Joe Dokes said
Here is TWO ways to avoid the back DMV fees in CA.

1. Declare the car a total loss and then register it as a salvage vehicle.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr16.htm

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr13.htm

2. Get the buyer to agree to a lien sale.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/faq/faqliensale.htm

The key for the rest of us in California is to make sure that when we begin a project we file a one time CERTIFICATE OF NON-OPERATION. At one time you could retroactively declare non-op. No longer. The good news is once you declare non-op you don't have to pay ANY fees until you go to register the car, and then it is only for the current year.

Regards,

Joe Dokes

Number 2 doesn't work anymore
------------------------------------------
Why must I pay the back penalties on a vehicle I bought at a lien sale?

The Vehicle Code does not exempt lien sale vehicles from outstanding fees and penalties.
-------------------------------------------

They changed that a few years back. It used to be a great method to get rid of the fees/penalties.

Changing a car to salvage for me is a no go. Don't want the scarlet letter attached to a car.