California DMV Classification - UT - $600 Registration??

[Trashboat]

I just had to re-up my Wrangler in California (Thanks alot Ford).

$444 for a 2015 and it was also a "UT"... I even called the DMV and spoke to someone because it didn't seem right, and they assured me it was. I used to have a pickup truck, and I could kind of understand it. But to me Broncos and Wranglers should be considered an SUV.

I so need to get out of California!

we left 2 years ago and never looked back. You won’t regret it at all!

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[67BroncoG1]

I'm going to provide this link and not comment. https://www.mttitles.com

 

[FreddieLee]

I paid $530 last year for an Everglades.

I expect to pay $600+ for the Wildtrak this year.

 

[pillar406]

My annual registration just arrived in the mail and it's over $600. Yes this is California but I noticed the vehicle classification was UT and I think the Utility designation is typically reserved for commercial trucks etc.

Surprised to see this and wonder how it could have been classified wrong from the dealership when I bought it?

Has anyone else had this issue yet and had success changing it, if in fact it can be changed?

And its reasons like this I'm glad I live in a state where I can get free registration

 

[adamruiz2001]

Thanks for bringing this back from the dead. but this is cute, my 1 year renewal in AZ is $870.

Yep, same here in Cali, my 22 WT was $883, crazy! I'm originally from NM where registration was $36 for the year. Man I miss those days, well, not NM, but the registration prices

 

[Arrowbear Rider]

In CA it is based on value, every vehicle that I've registered from motorcycles to trucks, the value mattered more than if the truck was a "commercial" designation; the cost dropped over the years of ownership as the vehicle depreciated. My base Bronco with Sasquatch is a little over twice what my 10 year old Mazda3 was, but the Bronco is worth 4 times as much.

I'm not expecting much drop over the next five years due to the Bronco's resale value and price increases, but really, any nice $40K car is going to cost as much to register.

My heart goes out to you Californians who have to endure the political and financial burdens forced on you.
Then I click on the off-road images and videos you guys post, and I'm so jealous! Sponsored

Yes, so many places for anyone who lives in CA, or AZ & the four corner's states to go wheeling.

 

[Montana Bronco]

I'm going to provide this link and not comment. https://www.mttitles.com

Well, as a Montana resident for 40+ years I am going to comment on this.

F**k this borderline criminal enterprise. Yeah, I get that it is a loophole in our state law.

Our state legislature is working to shut this crap down. Montana used to be a mellow, sleepy state where everyone got along. Now it’s been invaded by every person who watches the TV show Yellowstone and wants cheap license plates.

In my county, good luck getting your plates despite this. My county has cracked down so severely on these tax-cheating jarbroni‘s that it has made it difficult for long-term citizens to get plates.

It’s going to be hilarious watching how many people who take advantage of this loophole and are going to get nailed on Montana taxes when all is said and done. Zero sympathy from me. I’m glad my state is cracking down.

/rant

 

[SeptuagenarianSasquatch]

@Arrowbear Rider

In CA it is based on value, every vehicle that I've registered from motorcycles to trucks, the value mattered more than if the truck was a "commercial" designation; the cost dropped over the years of ownership as the vehicle depreciated. My base Bronco with Sasquatch is a little over twice what my 10 year old Mazda3 was, but the Bronco is worth 4 times as much.

There are registration fees, also excise taxes. These are new, high-priced vehicles and we get hit twice, and hard, and I daresay your typical Bronco owner is "upper middle-class," probably with an income of $100,000+ which is the 81st income percentile (nationally). In Massachusetts, registrations are going higher, but it's the excise tax (local) which hits us harder. Massachusetts registration (license plate) fee is $60 for two years, $100 for a special theme plate, like veterans. But my Boston excise tax is $919 for a 2022 4DR Badlands Sasquatch Lux.

Blue city blues.

If you're curious about where you financially rank, this income calculator will tell you:

https://dqydj.com/income-percentile-calculator/

 

[Arrowbear Rider]

Montana used to be a mellow, sleepy state where everyone got along. Now it’s been invaded by every person who watches the TV show Yellowstone

I had the pleasure of traveling and working my way across your beautiful state back in 2005 - 07 for a week each time. I would start out working Monday in Billings and have stops in Bozeman (Tues), Helena (Wed) and then up to Cutbank or Whitefish and work my way down to Kalispell and/or Missoula by Friday and fly out of one of those on Friday night; I did the trip about 8 times a year.

There was a crooked Mitsubishi dealership in Billings that I had the pleasure of seeing shutdown and prosecuted for fraud. And a 2005 Ford GT in Bozeman in the Ford/RV dealer that I drooled over every trip for almost a year; and after that one their second one too, they kept them on the floor for a while.

But having lived a third of my adult life in CO, I really liked the Whitefish and down that side of your state; I loved Bozeman and Helena too, it's all beautiful.

I'm betting the invasion started 10 years before Yellowstone, but Yellowstone probably increased it many fold. It's happened everywhere. Places I went as a boy where we'd pass three to five vehicles in a day now have over hundred with hikers, bikers, motorcycles and wheelers and a big parking lot at the bottom/entrance too.

 

[Ixr]

California

 

[USSCajun]

Wait until your neighborly insurance company gets notified it’s not a SUV, but a UT. Good times ahead!

 

[The Beaz]

Wait until your neighborly insurance company gets notified it’s not a SUV, but a UT. Good times ahead!

Interesting as the DMV official list even calls out a 4dr as Wagon/Sport Utility 4 DR , but crazy that it doesn't include the 2dr

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handb.../chart-1-body-type-model-and-body-type-codes/

 

[Brian_B]

Just renewed a Bronco SPORT - $527

UT classification for the Sport…

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