🚀 go-pugleaf

I've heard that registering a car is a pain in the District.  (OK, it's a pain
everywhere, but I hear it's particularly bad in DC).  Does anyone know the
details about doing it?  I have several questions:

(1) How much does it cost?  What kind of "excise" or similar tax or fee is
charged?  In Illinois, I think it's 8.75 or thereabouts (basically, the same
as the sales tax).  Is there an annual tax in addition to the one-time tax
(and in addition to the $20-$100 registration fee that I assume DC charges,
as do all/most states)?  In Massachusetts, there was a rather hefty annual
excise tax on cars.

(2) Does one need to retake driving tests, etc. to get a license?  I heard
someone say they actually had to take a driving exam, not just a written, when
they tried to transfer their license from another state.  I'm wondering if I
understood them correctly.

(3) How much does insurance run?  Now, I know that everyone will say, "too
much," that DC is the highest in the country, etc.  I've dealt with high
insurance states before, and have lived in cities, so I know it'll be high. 
But I'm wondering what kind of differential we're talking about.  (I'm
guessing insurance is higher than it would be in nearby cities in VA and MD,
and higher than some other big cities, like Chicago, but lower than others,
like NYC or Newark, NJ.)  Any tips on getting cheaper insurance?  (E.g. does
garaging a car make a huge difference in rates, do DC have some sort of
unusually high default coverage limit that one can opt out of, etc.?)

Any information would be appreciated.  Thanks.

-Jason
jgull@my-dejanews.com


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