🚀 go-pugleaf

Thanks for the very detailed information.  My fears are assuaged ...

In article <6sfct1$rpr$1@clarknet.clark.net>,
  "MrKablooey�" <mrkablooey@kablooey.com> wrote:
> 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!)
>
>

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