This week we'll explore the wide world of vehicle registrations. It just so happens that a few people have sent questions about various registration conundrums recently, so let's take a look.
"I've noticed numerous motor homes and fifth-wheel recreational vehicles are registered out of state, particularly with Montana license tags, although the owners are full-time residents of Arizona," wrote Tucsonan Bill Brown. "I've also been told that the registration fees are significantly lower in other states, again specifically in Montana, when compared to Arizona." Brown said he thinks this is against the law and wonders why there isn't more enforcement of such laws.
The tricky part of the law, which says it is unlawful to register a vehicle in another state if it is garaged in Arizona, is the part about residency, said Cydney DeModica, spokeswoman for the state's Motor Vehicle Division.
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If you spend less than seven months here, you are considered a nonresident and don't have to register your vehicle here, she said.
However, if you move here permanently, there is no grace period for vehicle registration. You are considered a resident if you take a job here or enroll kids in school and pay resident tuition.
To report possible offenders, call the state's vehicle-registration compliance hot line, at 1-800-657-4322.
If no one answers, leave a message when prompted with the type of vehicle, the license number, the address where it is parked and a description of the location if it is a residence. This information will help the department locate and look into the vehicle's registration, DeModica said.
A question of state taxes
Reader Paul Angelo wonders about Arizona taxes for a vehicle bought in another state.
"What, if any, taxes must be paid on a passenger vehicle owned by someone who moves to Arizona when registering that vehicle in Arizona? What taxes must be paid by an Arizona resident who purchases a passenger vehicle in another state?" he wrote in an e-mail.
People who move to Arizona and bring a vehicle with them must pay the vehicle license tax and registration fees, plus any emissions-testing and air-quality fees that are required for registration, said DeModica, the MVD spokeswoman.
But if you buy a vehicle in another state for the purpose of operating it in Arizona, the vehicle would be subject to an Arizona Use Tax, said Christie Comanita, manager of the tax-research analysis section of the Arizona Department of Revenue.
The full use-tax applies if a person did not pay any sales tax out of state. But any sales taxes paid in another state would be credited toward the Arizona Use Tax, she said.
RoadQ: Richard Kratz called to ask about disabled or handicapped license plates. He moved from California where he said there are some parking exemptions allowed for disabled people who have the correct plate.
"I haven't had any success whatsoever talking to anybody about what a disabled plate allows you to do," Kratz said when he called.
Answer: The disability placard and disability license plate allow the driver to park in a handicapped zone as long as the disabled person is on board, said Cydney DeModica, spokeswoman for the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division.
The plates do not allow any other parking exceptions, said Sgt. Tim Beam. Someone with a disability placard or license plate may park in designated regular or handicapped parking, he said. In other words, a handicapped or disabled placard or plate does not allow a person to park in a no-parking zone or to avoid paying to park at a meter, he said.
Road Runner
Andrea Kelly
