What are the laws regarding legality of vehicles traveling in states they aren't registered in. I ask because in January I'll be in California and I'm curious how the local LEOs will react to my car. Being barely legal in Texas and most every mod I've done illegal in California.

Do LEOs just not bother with citing out-of-state vehicles for such infringements?

 

I can't say for sure, but usually if you are "passing through" they may just do a stop and confirm. Performance mods are fine, but it may be best to not have any glow lighting. I would have to believe you only need to meet the requirements of the state the automobile is registered, but some mods that can be easily defeated (bass sound, lights, etc.) may not be tolerated as well. I don't see you would have much of an issue in California, but I would watch the lighting....no reason to attract any more attention to yourself. Just my .02...

 

I agree with above. Your car remains subject to the laws under which it is registered (and inspected if appropriate). Some states have residence policies, that is if you stay there beyond some point you must meet their laws, but this doesn't seem to apply to a vacation, etc. Noise laws, may not be regarded as vehicle laws in some areas, so keep the noise down.

 

You can access the state motor vehicle codes of all states online.
If the MVD/DMV statute(s) state something to the effect of "no vehicle shall be operated...", then the statute(s) will apply to all vehicles within the state, not just registered vehicles of that state.
For example, in AZ...muffler/exhaust violations...ARS 28-955:

Also, note that many states have reciprocity agreements, so points for moving violations in one state can apply to the drivers home state.
Your blue lighting would be illegal in AZ while on a public highway, but not illegal while in a car show.

 

just don't try to travel through Virginia. they like to enforce their own ridiculous laws regardless of where you car is registered.

Leos here love to ticket drivers for "too loud exhaust", tint, lights etc even when they are legal where you come from.

As soon as I can move out of this h311 h013, I think my threshold for deviation will be 3-4 hours or more...if it only adds 3-4 hours to my trip, I'll find a route that goes around VA and not through it.

I can't speak for CA though.

 

There will be so many cars on the highway here in California, that unless you are driving at 100 MPH in front of a LEO, you shouldn't have much of a problem. The word I am thinking of here is "discretion" if you are somewhat discrete with your behavior, you'll do fine. You didn't say where in California you are visiting. I can only speak of Southern California, if you are down here then you will most likely be just one of the many. We have lots of Marines here in San Diego and I have seen license plates from Guam to Maine. You will find lots of Texas plates here in San Diego.

Your behavior in the car will determine if you get pulled over. California Highway Patrol Officers will generally be the most willing to write you a ticket. If they pull you over you are most likely going to get a ticket, "Please press hard you are making three copies". Just use your blinkers at all times and drive the flow of traffic, Oh and don't forget to wave!

Happy Trails!

 

Here's the CA DMV motor vehicle code...

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vctoc.htm

 

Are you moving there or just spending some time there?

 

I'm not moving for sure yet. I've been working on developing music and want to bust into the music industry. California seems to be my best bet for my style of music. LA is the destination. I may just leave my car here. It won't be of much use hauling music equipment.

 

Really depends on the Officer more than anything, I have BLUE lights in the coves at the front and was running them in Northern California while on vacation. A CHP pulled me over and informed me they were illegal in California but since the Vette was from Texas he wished me a safe trip and sent me on my way. I have found it really is more important on how you treat the officer when he approaches and talks to you , have even gotten out of a radar reading of 141 mph by offering to let the officer take the car for a spin. Respect and politeness are crucial. Do NOT argue, don't question his authority.

 

My co-worker had plates from another state for over a year. He moved and had to park on the street as before he was in a private lot where he lived. Well after a few weeks the cops noticed he was not visiting and issued a ticket for not being registered in this state. It's turning out to be a whole big mess. There is a fine line on moving here and visiting for a long time. Look up the laws though. If you will be here over a month I'd say just spend a few bucks and register your car. Then you will be completely legal and won't have to worry. If you car doesn't pass the laws here then you have to figure something out if you do decide to move here anyway so maybe figure that out before visiting. Like can it easily go back to stock or at least enough to pass the laws for a while?

I got away with it for about 10 months and then went to register. I said I just got in the state and it was fine. If you are here for a year and then say you were here for a year you will get a huge fee to register you car. I think it's 6 months before the fees start racking up but I think the law says to register as soon as you move here.

When here with out of state plates just make sure you have all the paperwork needed. You need to carry proof of insurance. You can still get fines for being loud if you car is loud but other then that I don't know what they can give to an out of state car that is just "visiting".


best of luck with your music career. I'm in Television/Film doing post production work.