Saving money at the DMV

[rogerb9911]

I found out something interesting regarding registering our Tundra's at the California DMV last week. I looked at my bill and saw a $271 charge for a weight fee. The total bill was a little over $500. I called the DMV on this and when I finally got through they told me that an open back pickup in California is classified as a commercial vehicle and therefore is assessed a weight fee. I then asked her what would happen if I had a camper shell on the truck. She stated that all I would need to do is bring it into the DMV with the shell on and they would reclassify the truck as non commercial and would waive the $271 fee. This would then reduce the regsitration fee by that amount every year. About 5 years and you pay for your shell. I forgot to ask about bed covers.

One thought I had was borrowing someones camper shell, bolting it on, running down to the DMV, getting my truck reclassified and saving the money. Not that I would want to do this but....

The other thought I had was this is a great discount on the cost of a shell.

[truckman261]

I've run across a few officers of the law on our lot who have mentioned this.

Do not, I repeat, do not just borrow a camper and put it on for the savings. Reason being the way your vehicle is registered has a lot to do with your license plate. Trucks open end have a #A##### sequence where as a car is a #AAA### sequence.

The officers have mentioned that it is a worth a ticket if your plate has #AAA### and you have an open end truck. So just to avoid any future incidents with nice officers I wouldn't recommend borrowing a shell for lower fees. Buying one and using it, then hell yeah get your discount fee.

I'm sure someone on here knows a little bit more, but I'm just passing on from what I've heard.

[mwhals]

What the heck is wrong with California??? Why the extra charge just because you don't have a cap on your bed? What if you have one, but removed it to haul firewood or gravel one Saturday? Would you then get a ticket even though you are only using the truck this one day open??

Glad I live in WV where DMV rules make some sense. Of course we have our other problems like business taxes, which is another story.

[Trucker1967]

Well wonder if a bed cover would do the same, I mean its not open anymore ... prolly would have a good argument.

[wildbill129]

Must be a "camper shell." The registration change makes your vehicle a housecar by definition. You then get passenger car plates. If you take off your shell for loading materials, and you are spotted with passenger car plates, you will probably be stopped and/or cited. It is an absolutely silly law. It was done to satisfy the environmental wack jobs that think loaded trucks cause more damage to roads and the environment.......ridiculous.

[Burger Steak & Eggs]

What a screwed up place that must be. Do any of those leftists realize these commercial / weight surtaxed vehicles also keep the state from falling into the ocean (i.e. construction, maintenance)?

[MR.OMAR]

Originally Posted by Trucker1967

Well wonder if a bed cover would do the same, I mean its not open anymore ... prolly would have a good argument.

Hopefully someone has the answer.

[MOREPOWER]

Dam just another reason not to live in California. They dint want you to drive pickups, so they tax your *** unfairly.

So if you buy a pickup, make a wood box in back, fill it up with vegetables migrants and so on, Then you wont get charged?

[asianflava]

That's another one to add to the list. How stupid is that? Almost as stupid as the 55mph trailer speed limit. It's just another way to fleece the public. If they really were concerned about separating the commercial vehicles, all they really need to do is to ask during the registration and make the registrant sign an affidavit.