California Tacoma Owners: What does your title say?

I'm a 2020 Tacoma owner whose truck is registered in the great state of California. Each year for the last two years I've paid about $600 to renew my car registration. After the second year of this I started digging to try and find out why it was so expensive and I think I've found the problem. My Tacoma is registered in CA as a 4-axle commercial truck. After some additional digging I learned that all pickup trucks in the state of CA are registered as commercial vehicles. This makes absolutely no sense to me but it is what it is.

Anyways, I'm wondering what should be on my title and registration so that I can submit the change request to the DMV and hopefully get some sort of reimbursement for my past overpayments. Please don't post an actual picture of your title unless you redact the personal stuff, I'm just interested in in what is in the following fields:

• Axles (AX)
• Unladen Weight
• Feed Paid
• Class

Here was my renewal fee breakdown from last year:

 

You need a permanently installed camper to live in with a toilet in the back of your truck to get it registered as a non-commercial vehicle. In the meantime, enjoy your right to park in commercial loading zones.

Welcome to TW! Let the mods begin!

 

If every pickup truck in Cali is registered the same way, why do you think you can change yours?
We've had several threads on taxes and license fees and $600 sounds like others from that coast.

 

I suspect the class (KF, which I can't even find a definition for) may be wrong. Also the axle count is 4, which is not correct. I'm not sure if these fields are supposed to say something else or if they are just other illogical quirks of how trucks are registered in CA.

 

It’s actually 3 axles!

 

I have a camper shell. Were you successful?

 

it has to be a RV with toilet, because it has to be a permanently installed camper made for human habitation.

• Pickup with Camper—A pickup with a camper (previously defined) is a camper that is permanently attached to a pickup for human habitation or camping purposes. Do not verify facilities for human habitation.
• A pickup with a camper temporarily attached is not a housecar. Adding a camper shell to a pickup truck does not necessarily constitute the vehicle being changed from commercial to auto registration.
  
  The addition must meet the definitions for human habitation or camping purposes. Otherwise, the vehicle owner may be subject to citation from law enforcement for not meeting the definition for auto registration.
  
  Human habitation is defined as living space which includes, but is not limited to: closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, and bath or toilet rooms. Refer to Chapter 13 for additional instructions”

 

Welllll , technically the rear is one housing but inside there are two axle shafts.

So back to 4.

 

This is the way it is in CA. It does come with some benefits...you can kinda park wherever you want. Do some googling and you'll find the benefits of a commercial registration.

 

I commented on this commercial status when registering my Taco (I bought new out of state so I had to do the inicial registration.)


The lady told me all pickup trucks over some weight were commercial vehicles... the taco was above that...


I did not clue in on the commercial parking zone... need to look into that.

 

Every CA thread I see is a train wreck. Wow those fees add up. I pay $250/ year in FL for three cars/trucks and three motorcycles. And no smog checks. :Nelson haha:

 

You sure that 4 under axle doesn't mean 4x4??? Anyone have a 2 wd to substantiate that???

From Ohio, so I have no idea, just spitballing.

Oh, and my TOTAL registration for my Tacoma for the year is $54.17!!!!

 

Commercial yes. Mount a shell and re-title it as a passenger vehicle. Read what is required by the state, it's pretty easy to meet the requirements if you want to.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handb...rsion-from-commercial-to-auto-license-plates/

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handb...rcial-vehicles/pickup-with-a-camper-attached/

 

It’s not that easy, read the fine print. He can’t just put a shell on it. It has to be habitable and meet their definition for it: “Human habitation is defined as living space which includes, but is not limited to: closets, cabinets, kitchen units or fixtures, and bath or toilet rooms.”

There are several Tacoma camping set ups with refrigerators, cabinets, etc. like Four Wheel Camper’s flatbed model that would qualify, but just putting in a clamped-on shell or topper that is empty inside or has portable camping stuff inside won’t do it.

Several of us have already tried this.

 

Re-read the second link I posted...
"A canopy or similar structure mounted upon a motor vehicle for purposes of human habitation or camping purposes is considered a camper. Other equipment facilitating human habitation, such as a stove or bed, does not have to be permanently affixed to the vehicle."

 

It’s the for the purpose of human habitation part that pretty much cinched it. He can try it with just a shell to see if it works. It didn’t when I got my truck, and I have a slide out with a refrigerator, drawers and stove set up and they still wouldn’t let me do it. The DMV guy said I needed a bathroom and the camper had to be permanently attached or a camper unit that I wouldn’t remove parts from to make room for carrying loads- that would not work as a non-commercial vehicle.

 

Dont worry im from Ca and I pay the same

 

The word “great” and “California” should never be used in the same sentence.

 

For my 2011: From the registration
Axles= 2
Unladen= 4035
Total Fee Paid= 295
VLF CLASS= HH

The first thing I would do is check the VIN on vehicle and compare to title and registration. Could be a typo by either the dealer or DMV.

 

hey watch it