Why do we register vehicles annually? (VANITY)

2-28-03

[TheMightyQuinn]

After spending an hour waiting to be served at the DMV yesterday, I starting thinking about the purpose of the DMV. Specifically, why do we need to re-register our vehicles annually?

I understand the purpose of registering vehicles at the time of purchase, but why must we renew the registration every year? It just seems that it's another way to enlarge the government without serving the people.

Wouldn't it make more sense to register vehicles only when they are purchased?

Please let me know if there is some beneficial purpose of annual registration renewal that I'm overlooking.

Thanks

[perfect stranger]

Because if we didn't FreeRepublic.com wouldn't have a vanity post about it.

I think my reply should have it's own thread so I'm gonna post it as a vanity, too!!!

[templar]

...why do we need to re-register our vehicles annually?

Revenue.

[AdamSelene235]

Because yearly registering you home address with the police would be too obvious.

[Reeses]

In many states registration fees are in lieu of a yearly property tax bill. Your car is tangible property which Democrats love to tax.

[genefromjersey]

Here in NJ, we have yearly renewal, and bi-annual inspection. The primary purpose of annual renewal is monetary - no ifs, ands, or buts - though we cloak it here with proof of compulsory liability insurance.

[ErnBatavia]

He registered at Free Republic (today, by the way) for this??

[Who dat?]

You have to renew your registration yearly because California needs to keep their hand in your pocket. When I lived in Oregon the registration was good for two years and ran around $23. In CA, it’s more like $200-$300 depending which vehicle you’re talking about..

I renew through the DMV website. They charge a $6 or $7 fee, but I don’t have to go to the DMV.

[steveo]

Curious, would you have paid an extra $10 to go to the front of the line? California DMV is the worst example of gubberment shuffalongs you can find.

[det dweller too]

Actually, having the vehicles inspected at least yearly to see they are reasonably safe is a very good idea, also that they are insured. I was in Mississippi about 25 years ago and the percentage of people driving junk vehicles with no brakes or insurance was not small. Laws should be used to protect the majority from the irresponsibilities of a few. [This is when the libertarians always leave the room]

[Semper911]

This way they have more checks to cash. And after I write the check for the registration fee, I get to write another one for the excise tax. Every year.

[Russell Scott]

Rhetorical question.

[rellimpank]

--in my experience, vehicle "inspections" are a joke. Proof of insurance doesn't require an inspection.

The purpose is revenue, the most important usage of which is to support the registration bureaucracy--

[caisson71]

The answer is MONEY...period.

[Bob Mc]

Simply another form of hidden tax on the sheeple, just like yearly inspections, used tire and battery disposal fees, seat belt citations, drivers license fees, etc.

[GreatOne]

It technically is a tax on use of the public roads - for maintenance, etc. Also, as pointed out, for the police to have the home address for the owner of the car to make it easier to track you down for any traffic offenses.

[perfect stranger]

"He registered at Free Republic (today, by the way) for this??"

Good point. I shoulda known. I thought I recognized the poster from before. There's someone who's been around here for a while with a similar name, I thought it was them, so I didn't bother to check. Thanks

[Double Tap]

[This is when the libertarians always leave the room]

No, that is when they know there is an idiot in it.

[panaxanax]

New York made it "easy" for us. In our best interests, we get to register for plates every 2 years.

In other words, we "loan" them our money (interest free) for a year.

[glock rocks]

quit yer silly thinking.

get back in line and pay your fees.

these are not the droids you're looking for.

you will be cited, and your car impounded if you're found driving it unregistered.

tax evasion is a crime.

support you local revenuers.

rotate your tires.