Your car is often a big headache if you’re relocating far away. Some people will wait to buy a used vehicle when they move. There are over 40 million used vehicles being purchased every year, in both private and commercial sales, after all. But you want to do it the old school way, and bring your car with you when you go to Los Angeles. Along with learning the unique etiquette of Los Angeles roads, there are a few legalities you need to learn. Learn more about them right here.
Register Your Vehicle Early
When you move to California, you need to register your car within 20 days to avoid the late fees. Do so after you change your address to ensure you receive any new information in the mail in a timely manner. In 2018, 13 billion parcels were shipped in the United States. Avoid delays with your mail by getting these paperwork matters handled early.
For your vehicle paperwork, you can book an appointment online with the DMV. Make sure that you have the proper documents with you. You’ll need your application for title or registration, your out-of-state title, your out-of-state registration, insurance paperwork, smog certificate, and the payment for the changes. Check the fee schedule with the DMV when you are planning this budget, as fees vary, and increase with late fees. Once the VIN inspection is completed, you will get your new stickers and California plates.
Know Some Basic Rules of California Roads
When you are driving in California, there are a few rules of the road that you may not know. Lane designations in Los Angeles may be different than where you are coming from. There are carpool and HOV lanes, toll lanes, and laws related to lane splitting that you should know.
Carpool lanes and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are the farthest left-hand lane on the freeway. They will have a diamond painted on them. You are only able to drive in these lanes if you have two or more people in the car. You may need more. Most of these lanes will have a sign posted at the entrance of the freeway that will tell you how many people you must have in the car to use that lane.
This is not a municipal law that you can simply overlook and hope for the best. Your budget won’t like the minimum $490 fine for this, if this is your first offense. You also can not have a towing trailer in these lanes. Comply with the carpool and HOV lane restrictions and you will never have to worry about this.
In some jurisdictions, the carpool lane can double as a solo lane if you have a toll lane pass such as FasTrak. You’ll need a transponder to pay the tolls.
You also need to look for motorcycle drivers and be wary of safety laws concerning them. In California, the practice of lane splitting is legal. This occurs when a motorcycle driver moves in between the lanes of traffic in order to get ahead of traffic jams or other traffic problems faster. Lane splitting is illegal in some states but is not fined in California.
Some Standard Los Angeles Road Courtesies
Everywhere you go there are some basic courtesies of the road that the people there prefer. In Los Angeles, driving in the exit lane is a no-go. You won’t get fined for it, but it slows down traffic and will annoy drivers around you.
Be sure that you keep enough room ahead and beside you when you are changing lanes. In Los Angeles, freeways can have as many as six lanes. You want to give yourself a lot of room and time to make lane changes. California is a major export state, among the largest transporter of goods in the country. In America, there are as many as 12 million trucks, trains, boats, and locomotives moving goods across the country. You will be joining some of them on the very busy California freeways. Give yourself a lot of room when driving.
Drive Safe in Los Angeles
Once you do your research, you should feel confident bringing your car with you to California. Soon you’ll be complaining about Los Angeles commuter traffic as if you lived there your entire life!
