California DMV Still Won't Let Go

[Zema Bus]

I had a hard time getting the CA DMV let go of my vehicle registration after I moved out of state last March, after notifying them multiple times I was finally forced to renew as non-operation to pay the minimal fee as I was eventually up against the deadline, I think it was $26, otherwise it would have been $500 for another year. My driver license was another matter, I successfully notified them that I had moved out of CA and the status on their website reflected that. And so I was at least done with that part. Or so I thought. I just got a driver license renewal notice from them, due next March. When transferring a driver license to another state, the new state notifies the old one. But it seems CA ignores this, just as they ignored my own notification. I did some reading and found that this is very common when leaving CA, not as much when leaving other states. I read lots of horror stories, not being able to get a hold of anyone on the phone and when they do the problem remains. I finally found a post where someone provided an email address they were given when they were on the phone with someone at the DMV. They want proof of registration out of state, and proof of insurance. So that's when I'm going to try for both driver and vehicle registrations. Some said they were ultimately taken to collections. Normally non-renewal would just mean no driver registration and no vehicle tags, but CA has to be different, because $.

[mlangdn]

If you moved out of state, how did they notify you? Because you now have an out of state address! Sounds like fodder for a hungry lawyer.

[Grogan]

That's BS... it's essentially accruing debt for services you aren't using. (If you haven't renewed your license, surely you aren't driving in the State of California without one, that would be illegal, right?)

Here you just wouldn't be able to renew anything until you pay what you owe. Your vehicle registration wouldn't renew either. (We don't pay for that anymore in Ontario, our "plates" just automatically renew with no fees now. No stickers, it's just in the computer.)

[Zema Bus]

They sent the notification via email about it coming up, I've had an account on their website for years for online renewals. I just now checked their site and they show my out of state address (one of my virtual mailboxes), so that's where they will send the paper form in another month or two. I'm going to try to head it off before then.

[Zema Bus]

Finally got this resolved after sending my information to that DMV email address.

Thank you for contacting the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Your request has been completed and the record is now updated. No further action is required at this time.

[Grogan]

Congratulations California... it's only been what, 11 months? For all your trouble you get... a terse sentence.

[Zema Bus]

I also quoted them this statement I found on their website:

You don't need to cancel your license with the DMV. When you receive a license from your new state, your California license will automatically be canceled.

Yeah it didn't exactly happen "automatically". I also mentioned how I was forced to pay for PNO (Planned Non-Operation) status in order to avoid having to pay the full blown registration fee for a vehicle no longer in CA. All because of their dysfunctional system.

[Grogan]

Oh well, all California will get from you now is your white ass in the rear window