🚀 go-pugleaf

jgull@my-dejanews.com wrote:
>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:

It *can* be a pain, but it's really no big deal.  Just plan to get there
early and spend most of the morning there.  It's nothing to worry about *at
all*.

>(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.


There was a % paid based on the blue book value of the car.  I don't believe
it was any more than 5% but it's been a year since I did it.  There is no
annual tax thereafter like in Virginia.  After your first year, you have to
get a safety inspection (free--it's included, I'm sure, in your renewal fee)
and then submit your tags (by mail) for renewal.  You will expect to pay
about $65 for the tags, $20 (I think) for your new drivers license and 5%
for tax.  I don't believe there was anything else to pay for after that.

>(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.


You do have to take a written exam.  When you get there, they give you a
study sheet.  You can take as long as you need to review it before going in
to take the exam (seated at a terminal).  If you score high enough, you'll
move to the drivers license portion and get your picture taken.  Oh, be sure
to take two proofs of residence or they won't let you get your license.  A
utility bill is a good form of proof as long as it has your current DC
address on it.

The written (really it's an ABC thing at a terminal) is no big deal
either--mostly common sense.  Just make sure to review to be safe.

>(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.?)


Insurance isn't really a whole lot more compared to some of the local places
I have lived, including Northern Virginia.  My insurance actually went DOWN
recently due to a decrease in claims in the DC area.  If it matters, my
company is GEICO (say what you will about them, but my experience with them
has been nothing less than pleasant..... I've had claims, and they've always
been very good to me).

>Any information would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Good luck and welcome to the District!  It's not as bad as you think (or as
bad as everyone who doesn't live here tells you it will be!)