Boy, what a rough day just to be able to drive legally.

[RebelOne]

I have been putting it off, but finally had to get my new car tag today.

In Georgia, you must have your car emission tested before you can get your tag. And since this is my birthday month, I had to get my tag this week. My car needed an oil change which would affect the emission test if I didn't. So I had that done and then the emission test. Then had to run to the state tag agency to get my tag. This really sucks right after Xmas when money is so tight.

Emission test: $25, oil change (luckily, I had a coupon): $14.95, then the tag for $73.10. All this just to be able to drive legally for another year (not to mention the $65 a month for car insurance). To me this is expensive. What do you all pay in your states for your license tags? Here it goes by the value of the car. I know when I lived in Florida, it was by the weight of the car. If you had an economy car, you got off cheap. Here, if you have a new car, you pay through the nose. Luckily, my car is almost 5 years old. Well, at least next year it will be cheaper since it will be another year older.

[Intelsucks]

1. $72.30 - Just paid it less than one hour ago in Austin, Texas

In Texas, we have a vehicle inspection sticker also... We have to get our emissions (and everything else) checked when this sticker expires.

I don't think the fee varies at all here based on the age of the vehicle, but I do think weight is a factor.

[NoPasaran]

7. How was the line?

I had to get mine in September on the first day the Tax Assessor Collector was in the new building. Let's just say that they hadn't quite worked out all the bugs yet. (Note to self: pay the extra buck and do it by mail next year!)

I think that in Texas weight is not a factor, but as the vehicle ages the fee does go down. So driving here is actually pretty cheap if you discount the psychic damage.

[Intelsucks]

9. Not too long, but I paid it at H.E.B. (the grocery store)

still had to pay the $1 extra fee... I guess it's a sevice charge... Anything to avoid having to go downtown. I would pay a $10 fee, if it meant not having to go downtown.

[NoPasaran]

12. If you do go downtown you'll be disappointed

They moved out to what I think was the old Builders Square on Airport a few blocks south of Koenig. But it's still worth a buck not to go there!

[beyurslf]

2. Ours is by value.

Until about 1997, KS had the highest car taxes in the country. They lowered them then but ours are still high. My car is 7 years old and I paid $150 last year (April). They should be about 130 this year, I am thinking.

A friend of mine bought a new car at the end of 2002. His tags were due in June and he paid $370.

(In KS it goes by the first letter of your last name for when they are due. I am a C which is April.)

[twilight]

3. be glad you are not in Calif.

That little dittie there would have probably cost you a few hundred bucks! And that's if you own an older car!



:dem: :kick:

[RebelOne]

5. Yes, really glad I am not in California.

Guess I got off cheap here in Georgia. But I thought Arnie was going to reduce all those taxes. Guess not enough.

[TexasMexican]

4. Corpus Christi, Tx

I dont remember exactly but I think it was around $50.

[RebelOne]

6. Wow, I'm moving to Texas.

At least it will be cheaper to drive. But what about car insurance rates? I'm curious.

[NoPasaran]

8. Here's a link for some info

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/vtrreginfo.htm

[ChoralScholar]

10. I pay

28 dollars a year for each car. (It goes by weight, but most passenger vehicles will be 28-30 dollars)

No inspection here (they were bogus anyway).

My insurance is 68 dollars per month (liability only) for my 2 vehicles for my wife and myself (we are both over 25)

SO,living in Arkansas is not all that bad I don't suppose, when it comes to buying car tags.

[jburton]

11. Sounds about right

I live in Dallas County (TX) now, which is considerably higher than my old digs. On top of the usual state fees there's a $5 bridge fee, $10 county fee, etc.

But hey, Bush* cut taxes!!!

[sasquatch]

13. So what! I paid $80 for just the test and tag

and that doesn't include the damned gas cap I had to buy because the old one failed testx(

[amazona]

14. around $30

The brake tag is $10. The license sticker is $20. You have to go to a gas station to get your brakes checked. Emissions are not checked. The license plate renewal is mailed to you. This is Louisiana.

[CanuckAmok]

15. Surprisingly little:

in BC Canada, an annual charge to renew a set of license plates is $18. Insurance is through the same Publicly owned company, ICBC, who administer vehicle registration.

That makes it a one-stop deal. Drop in to any licensed ICBC agent (various hours, seven days a week), renew your insurance, and pick up your validation sticker at the same time.

Also, if yo are involved in a minor accident, your appraisal is also a one-stop deal. Drive in one end of any ICBC inspection station, have your car's damage appraised on the spot while you wait, and drive out the other end of the building with a cheque in your hand. Since everybody is insured by the same company, it's unbelieveably simple to settle a claim.

The agent I use actually makes house calls. He calls me about two weeks before my sticker is due to expire, and makes an appointment with me to drop off my new sticker at MY convenience.

How's that for service?!

BC folks in Vancouver and surrounding areas have to get an annual emissions inspection, but most of BC, including where we live, doesn't have to.

My annual insurance/license per vehicle is somewhere around $780 per year.

[Deja Q]

16. Just wait until they privatize your roads!

We live in bizarro world...

But I won't go there. I ranted in GD about it all yesterday. Loved the responses as well... :D

[Intelsucks]

17. Hypno, do you live in Austin, or are you psychic?

There is talk of toll roads here. Is that what your rant was about yesterday?

[foreigncorrespondent]

18. Just for the registration (tags) alone...

...it is around the $550.00 mark, every year!

[RebelOne]

19. That is outrageous! What state are you in?

Or what country?

[foreigncorrespondent]

20. Melbourne/Australia (n/t)