They (the state) doesnt make jack off the pre-smoggers, the license fees on the oldies are almost too low to bother with (almost)
I'm not so sure about that. Well, at least it doesn't feel that way!
These days as was mentioned the fees are pretty exorbitant for old rigs. With fewer miles spent on the road in them, the registration I think pays for a lot of ills.
Sure, newer vehicles pay way more for a few years as the tax payments decrease, but they all eventually come down to the minimum. I used to pay $7.00 for my bikes and about $15 for my cars, just a few years after getting them. Now I pay well over $100 each for five cars that I've had for years. Four of which are not driven at any given time. Plus I'm keeping the insurance companies happy while they pay out for other folk's mishaps.
Not sure what it costs to run the DMV, so maybe you're right. But I think we all do our part. New or old.
I suppose the state can make the case the old ones are just too dangerous because they lack all the safteyness of the newer stuff.
I'm sure there's that. Lots of real crap rolling around that should not be. But while I'm not for mandatory retirement, I am for keeping the roads as safe as they can be while sharing it with so many.
Then again, I'm glad we don't have annual safety inspections. Used to be the thing we trusted everyone to take care of. But now I'm not so sure they wouldn't be a good idea.
Some old vehicles I see around just should not be on the road anymore. But in the land of Tesla and BMW and Mercedes, the number of truly ratty rigs on the road does seem to be getting fewer and fewer.
The Ferrari and Lamborghini owners just won't put up with it!%)
But I wonder if it's more just that so many of them just sit at the curb or in the garage and they just want to get them to the recycle center quicker than you were willing to get rid of them? They're after us old car hoarders...;D
I live in a reasonably affluent area, but all around me there are derelict cars at the curb that have been sitting unused (and un-cleaned) for literally decades. Guess other folks are just hoping for some extra parking spaces after those finally go away.
Which is why I keep mine clean and move them occasionally. Don't want them to look like nobody wants them anymore.
But alas, problem is, a lot of the clunkers are never-the-less, very valuable. Ca needs to have a program like Arizona where after so many years (25), the rig can be licensed as "historic" thus giving it its due respect and recognition, not to be treated like something that has outlived its appeal or even its undying practicality...
I've never spent much on cars, but I've got about $50k in clunkers at my place right now! So yeah, a lot more than they were thinking it seems. They should be happy with the fees paid every year and should just make it clear (without sending out notices every year to upset people) that you have an option if you ever want to get rid of your old ride. Or your bed-ridden uncle that just can't bear to let the junk man have his beloved old DeSoto.
I think we do have a Historic Vehicle program. I know I've seen CA plates with the words on them in the past.
Not sure the whole historic restrictions that usually accompany that type of thing are for some of us Bronco owners though. Too few miles allowed for one thing.
I don't know if I'll ever get to drive mine like I used to (too many to choose from now) but I'd like to drive a lot if I choose.
So I have to keep them registered in the regular way for now.
Paul