[South40]

California has significant penalties for being late and/or not paying vehicle licensing fees.

http://dmv.ca.gov/vr/vr_info.htm

[LibWhacker]

Yup, I was six months late once on a new truck and it cost me hundreds of dollars in late charges.

[ansel12]

I hope those are the current rates.

[Paladin2]

So you are liable for license plate fees even if you withdraw your vehicle from service for an extended period of time?

That's crazy.

[rolling_stone]

In calif if your plates are expired by more than 6 months, the vehicle is subject to being towed and probably will be. You then have to pay all back fees and towing charges to get it out of the tow yard.