Hello Scooter and Tomguy :
Fact is I know a lot about California DMV and the ways to do with this and that .
CALIFORNIA :
(1) To Register a Car / Truck Non Operative the Fee is $20 and is a one time fee . You well receive a letter each year asking if you want to regerster the car now or continue the Non operative status . If you continue you don't have to do anything like reply to the letter or such , It well just continue .
(2) So is a huge advantage to register the car non operative rather then do nothing .
(3) ways through the Maze >> now most DMV Operatives / Employes well not tell you this because they don't know this But in fact >>>
If you do it right do this .
(3a) When you Buy the Car " bring with you 2 or 3 Statement of Facts forms "
from CA. DMV (3b) Fill them out stating that the Car has not been operated and in storage since a Date " before the last Reregistration " expired .
(3c) Have The Seller sign this form and make sure Its dated , the current date as well as the dates of storage , non operative Status .
(3d) If You really feeling bold ask the seller to sign this Statement in front of a CA Notary . Now if the Seller is Married or living with someone else who knows of this have them also fill out the same form with dates and sign it also .
(3e) If You the Buyer also know of this as fact the car sat all that time then you can fill out the form also .
*****************************
(4) take the forms to DMV and find out the total Cost of the current registration due for the upcoming year ( left ) of License fees as well as transfer fees and any other fees . However not with any Penalty Fees involved . Then have DMV submit all the Fees - Penalty Fees to Sacramento along with the statement of Facts forms , 2 should do it .
and pray lol . Many times Sacramento well approve this registration without any Penalty Fees . You may also include that the car is has historical Value to you perhaps a Car like your father had or something like that but that with the Penalty Fees simply that its beyond your means as they are so hi.
Volunteer to take the car into a brake and light inspection or any inspection that they might like you to do ( they wont ask you to do this )
***********************************************
(5) Now if the Car has any Tickets after the date the prior registration expired then this well not work as they well be on the DMV Computer
and the statements of fact well not be fact anymore humm a lie .

***************
Other tricky things :
if your friendly at DMV and perhaps Know someone you can do many things. Remember 95% of DMV workers don't know much
For example if a Car is on Non Opp Status when you buy it you can do this.
Do A "Title Only Transfer on the car" ( not a license registration )
at that same time Transfer the Non Opp Status from the seller to you the buyer . Their is no fee for this it is free to transfer that status . If the worker hands you a form to fill out for Non Opp ask to speak to a manger because thee worker is trying to set you up for a $20 fee when their is no fee for this .

Why do this ? perhaps the car need work and no need to register it yet

Much Better ; with a title only transfer if the DMV worker fills out the form what I call the right way , then this well happen .
on the birthday date for the registration to be registered ( Licensed now in your name with your title only transfer ) a Letter well come to your address offering you to register the car . However when your lucky that letter well not be asking for something , a Smog Certificate . well just say pay the registration fee . you can do it by mail or at DMV .

Other goodies ;
In Mendocino County CA , I have a home their you only need smog one time unless you sell the car . is no Biannual Smog in Mendocino .
Also is no Dyno just the tail pipe test a easy pass

humm back to work