What to do with expiring car registration after leaving state?
Q I’m retiring next month and leaving the state. My car registration is due in June, by which time I will be in Oregon, staying at a relative’s condo while I house hunt. I don’t know which state I’ll end up buying in, but it will either be Oregon or Washington.
Should I renew my registration here in California, where I will no longer live, or have a mailing address for stickers to be sent to? Renew in Oregon where I could use my daughter’s address but may end up never permanently living in? Live with expired registration until I close on a home, and then take care of it? I truly have no idea how to handle this.
I’m pretty sure
I’m not the only one in this pickle. I’ve heard way too many stories about people leaving the state.
— Melinda Fick
A You can choose not to renew in California but will have to initiate registration in another state before your California registration expires. Or you can pay the California registration and update your address closer to the expiration date if you have not found a place to live yet, however, the registration fees will not be refunded or prorated.
Q The column about drivers’ unrepentant need to speed hit home recently when Courtney Osegueda was killed in Oakland when an impatient driver crossed over a double yellow line on MacArthur Boulevard to collide with Courtney as she emerged from behind a large truck that had stopped for her and a co-worker to cross the street.
Courtney leaves behind a young daughter and many others who are devastated to have lost such a loving, funny and tremendously kind person from their lives.
Please, Mr. Roadshow, now is the time for strong admonitions against reckless, aggressive driving. Our roadways are not theaters or amusement parks for self-centered thrill-seekers.
— Liana Crabtree, Cupertino
A You are so right. Courtney was just 31 when this impatient driver slammed into her. It’s such a sad story and should be a warning to drivers to behave more responsibly when traffic on a busy street is stopped ahead.
The motorist fled the scene. When caught, the penalties will be severe. Q We miss the old Botts’ dots on Interstate 680 in Milpitas. It was raining, and we couldn’t see the lane demarcations. We really like the new markings on Interstate 5 going out of Sacramento. Is that the future for I-680 as well?
— Brad Thomson, Oakley
A Yes. They are bright white reflectors and are close together and are really easy to see, especially at night. This will become the standard on all state highways.