美國Registration of Vehicle(汽車行照)換發的重要性

Have you ever experienced to get tickets in the US? Living in the US, especially in California, driving is a daily activity. I would like to share personal experiences about driving in the US.

For Registration of Vehicle (行車執照), my suggestion is to be sure to renew on time and follow up the new stickers. California Department of Motor Vehicle (加州監理處) has an aggressive delinquent registration collection process, and the sticker can not be issued until all requirements are met, such as smog certification, or clearance of outstanding parking citations. The annual vehicle registration payment consists of various fees applying to your vehicle, and fees will be itemized as followings:

•  Registration Fee
•  Vehicle License Fee (此項可為所得稅扣抵項目)
•  Weight Fee
•  Special Plate Fee
•  County/District Fees
•  Owner Responsibility Fee

The vehicle owner will receive a sticker as the following red label, and to replace it every year after renewal on your plate is a must. (紅標籤要貼在後車牌上)
Sample documents:               
                                                                                    

                                               (Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles)

About 3 months ago, when I left my office one day, a highway patrol drove behind me and stopped me afterward. The officer mentioned that I did not renew my registration of vehicle because my sticker was fake. OMG, I swear I did pay the fee and renew it. I just didn’t follow up the new sticker. The officer ticketed me and gave me a notice to superior court but suggested me find out the situation with DMV. I still had to pay $200 bucks and also went to the court.

Another situation for your reference is driving in New York State. The registration of vehicle in NY is a single paper. According to NY law enforcement agent, the paper should be stuck on your inside windshield instead of on the plate. You can not just put it on the dashboard. You will get a ticket once the cop notices that. The law enforcement agent will consider it as a misdemeanor (輕罪) and may arrest the vehicle owner up to the situation sometimes. (Window Sticker要貼在擋風玻璃內)
Sample documents:
Registration Document                          Window Sticker

    
                                      (Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicle)

For other states, you may check with the state DMV to get information.