Source: Photo by Sean Hazlett
On Saturday, July 9th, I received my annual California vehicle registration notice for $111.
I am not sure what other states charge for an annual license and registration fee, but $111 seems a bit high. It is certainly a healthy deterrent against middle-income families owning more than one car in the state.
But I digress…
My problem with my registration fee is not the cost (though I still think it is high), but the payment deadline.
I received a bill from the state of California on a Saturday that is due this coming Tuesday. Of course, I cannot mail anything on Sunday.
In essence, if I had been on vacation for a short four-day weekend, I would surely have missed my deadline and had to pay a penalty.
If a credit card company charged someone 2,521% annualized interest for a bill that was three days late, politicians would be up in arms.
That is not a typo. I repeat, 2,521% annualized interest.
Yet in California, it is par for the course.
Reflections of a Rational Republican 
I just got mine on Saturday as well, except mine isn’t due until the 26th, so it seems the post office is to blame for your tight situation rather than the DMV. I also just paid my fee using a credit card as online payments are allowed at dmv.ca.gov. I was even pleasantly surprised to see no transaction fee applied. On the other hand, my total was $179 owing to an $82 license fee and $20 “smog abatement” fee. And when I clicked the “survey” link after paying my bill to suggest they allow paperless billing entirely, the link said “This feature is currently not available.”
Wow! $179. I got off easy! 😉
Speaking of stupid state governments, I’d love to hear your take on this one:
http://www.gopusa.com/news/2011/06/22/georgia-puts-probationers-to-work-in-fields/
I don’t think it is a bad idea to put prisoners to work. That said, you get what you pay for.