Here is Calif. they don`t have a yearly safety inspection, but gassers do have to have their smog check done every other year, and I think if it is sold, the prevous owner has to pay for it at the time of sale.
I have been out of the gasser loop for so long Iam not totally up to speed on it.
when a car is sold, the PO signs on the back of the title, then sends in to the DMV a card to remove liability incase the new owner doesn`t take of the paper work and then has an accident etc... keep PO out of trouble.
new owner then goes to DMV or AAA and takes care of the new registration, sales tax transfer fee etc...
If you decide to not drive a vehicle, you still get the yearly registration fee sent by the state. even if you don`t drive it, you still have to pay or do a non-op with them. I have one non-oped, still get the yearly registration sent, but don`t pay any fee. use to cost $10 a year, then was dropped more than 8 years back. when you do decide to put said vehicle back on the road, you have to pay that years total registration, no prorate here.
now if you decide to park a vehicle andnot drive it and decide to not pay the Registration, then do put it back on the road, you have to pay all those years back reg plus a fine.
Iam surprised Calif. hasn`t started a seperate safety inspection program just for the revinue. they don`t mess with the Diesels yet, or my older ones or even check to see if the Diesel hasn`t been swapped to a gasser.
Charlie