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Old 12-04-2009, 05:55 PM   #1
maltuna
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Default Question about Virginia laws for non-running cars

First off, I'm a total car n00b... and I know very little about cars.

So, I recently moved to Virginia. So recently in fact that I haven't transferred my driver license or renewed my tags or anything. My old license/tags are from Maryland, and expire in a couple of months.

Unfortunately, though, my wrx recently died (my own fault I guess for not understanding the oil change requirements, there's a thread about it in the newbie forum about turbo failure), and I'm trying to decide whether I should try to repair it or sell it or what. If I do try to repair it, it's going to be out of commission for a while, as I don't have a ton of cash at the moment.

So my question is... what can I do legally in Virginia, where I just moved (Vienna, VA, in Fairfax county) ?

I know I can't register the car, since it won't pass emissions, and I can't even drive it at the moment.

But can I tow it to my house and leave it in the driveway, without getting a ticket for no plates the next time a cop drives by and sees it? Unfortunately, I don't have a garage.

In other worse, for those of you who have a car that doesn't run, that you plan on rebuilding, and cannot pass the VA inspection or emissions (but hopefully will at some future date, i.e. not a part-out), what do you do? What are my options ?

Any advice would be appreciated. In the meantime, I'm going to continue searching, but I honestly don't even know what terms to search for...
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Old 12-04-2009, 06:09 PM   #2
chazly413
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Location: College Park, MD
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too many friction losses

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I don't think your car will get a ticket for just sitting in your driveway, it's not being driven. But then again, I really don't know
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Old 12-04-2009, 06:11 PM   #3
ProDarwin
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Title it and keep it on your property and you are in good shape.
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Old 12-04-2009, 06:13 PM   #4
DCRallyDave
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chazly413 View Post
I don't think your car will get a ticket for just sitting in your driveway, it's not being driven. But then again, I really don't know
Oh yes it will. Vienna is probably the worst place for such.

Here is the zoning regulations they will nail you with.

An "inoperative motor vehicle" is defined as any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that:

Is not in operating condition; or
For a period of 60 days or longer has been partially or totally disassembled by the removal of tires and wheels, the engine, or other essential parts required for operation; or
Displays neither valid license plates nor a valid inspection decal.
In order to keep your property in compliance with the Town Code, all vehicles on your property must either:
Be operative and display valid license plates and inspection decal; or
Be shielded or screened from view by an auto cover (one vehicle per property); or
Display storage tags purchased from the Town (one vehicle per property); or
Be parked within a fully enclosed structure.

http://www.viennava.gov/Town_Regulat...oning_regs.htm

The answer is, buy a car cover and keep it covered until you can repair.

So glad I don't live in Vienna anymore. Did for ~ 30 years.

Last edited by DCRallyDave; 12-04-2009 at 06:18 PM.
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Old 12-04-2009, 06:19 PM   #5
chazly413
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too many friction losses

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Quote:
Originally Posted by DCRallyDave View Post
Oh yes it will. Vienna is probably the worst place for such.

Here is the zoning regulations they will nail you with.

An "inoperative motor vehicle" is defined as any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer that:

Is not in operating condition; or
For a period of 60 days or longer has been partially or totally disassembled by the removal of tires and wheels, the engine, or other essential parts required for operation; or
Displays neither valid license plates nor a valid inspection decal.
In order to keep your property in compliance with the Town Code, all vehicles on your property must either:
Be operative and display valid license plates and inspection decal; or
Be shielded or screened from view by an auto cover (one vehicle per property); or
Display storage tags purchased from the Town (one vehicle per property); or
Be parked within a fully enclosed structure.

http://www.viennava.gov/Town_Regulat...oning_regs.htm

The answer is, buy a car cover and keep it covered until you can repair.

So glad I don't live in Vienna anymore. Did for ~ 30 years.
Well, that sucks.
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Old 12-04-2009, 06:22 PM   #6
DCRallyDave
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chazly413 View Post
Well, that sucks.
Its a car cover. Cheap and will protect your car anyway. Now research suggestions for storing a car (disconnect battery, remove and store tires seperately, drain gas, ...)
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Old 12-04-2009, 06:40 PM   #7
djz05
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Location: woodbridge, va
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that sucks, I had the same issue when I was overseas for school. The only problem I had was the car was parked in the backyard since it wasnt in use, and I got fined for it since its supposed to be parked on a paved road. This is in woodbridge btw
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Old 12-04-2009, 08:34 PM   #8
VA07WRX
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RallyDave hit the nail on the head. However, this is something that will vary by city or county so check your local regulations for any differences.
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Old 12-04-2009, 08:39 PM   #9
pDubs
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Location: Aldie, VA
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Car cover will the the trick IMO, they aren't going to come take your cover off to check for tags if its sitting in your own driveway.
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Old 12-04-2009, 08:53 PM   #10
irish44j
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Location: Burke, VA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djz05 View Post
that sucks, I had the same issue when I was overseas for school. The only problem I had was the car was parked in the backyard since it wasnt in use, and I got fined for it since its supposed to be parked on a paved road. This is in woodbridge btw
I thought in woodbridge people were REQUIRED to keep a non-operable vehicle up on blocks in their back (or front) yard...
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Old 12-04-2009, 08:55 PM   #11
irish44j
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Default

As long as the car doesn't look crappy or up on stands, it would almost certainly be fine in your driveway (unless a neighbor reports you or something). Just keep the old plates on it. I seriously doubt that a police officer is going to roll up to your house for no reason, stop to check your plates' validity, and then ticket you.

And from what I recall of my time living there, Va Beach is especially slack on this kind of thing unless you live in a neighborhood with a Nazi HOA.
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Old 12-04-2009, 08:58 PM   #12
DCRallyDave
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VA07WRX View Post
RallyDave hit the nail on the head. However, this is something that will vary by city or county so check your local regulations for any differences.
The regs I posted are for the town OP said he lived in.
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Old 12-04-2009, 09:39 PM   #13
VA07WRX
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DCRallyDave View Post
The regs I posted are for the town OP said he lived in.
I didn't mean to come off as saying that you didn't. I just didn't want someone to assume that those regs were for all localities.
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Old 12-04-2009, 11:19 PM   #14
DCRallyDave
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Location: pineapple under the sea
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DSM LanciaShelby351
MartiniWRC Codriver

Default True story

Couldn't find the story googling (almost pre-interweb) to post link to but in late 80s or early 90s, Town of Vienna zoning regulations and/or police pissed off a dumptruck driver so much that he drove his truck to the town police department and ran over 5 police cars in the parking lot.

My dad who also disliked the town for the same reasons nominated the dump truck driver for 'Citizen of the Year'.
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Old 12-05-2009, 12:24 AM   #15
maltuna
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Vienna, VA
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Blue

Default

Wow, thanks for all the replies. This definitely helps me find the info I need, and gives me things to dig into more.

Unfortunately, the current plates are Maryland and tags are about to expire in two months, so I can't keep them legally I don't think. Can't renew in Maryland, since I don't live there anymore. I'm supposed to change over the plates to VA plates like right away (60 days?), but I can't now because the car doesn't even run, can't pass inspection, etc. Not sure I can have it fixed and running within 60 days.

However, if there's a way to transfer the title without registering the car, that's good. I can also buy a car cover and keep it completely covered and in the driveway. I only need enough time to save up some cash to fix it. And I can find out more about this "storage tags" option...

In any case, that's a sobering bunch of tales to hear about the town of Vienna. Scary stuff indeed. But I'm stuck here at least for a year or two.

But the body is fine, and the car appears to be completely normal, except if you try to start it of course.

In any case, I really appreciate the suggestions, everyone.
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Old 12-05-2009, 09:11 AM   #16
timskyline86
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Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: Arrestme, VA
Vehicle:
:P (°□°)
(ಠ_ಠ)

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Well Technically if the tags dont expire for a another two months then you have a total of 120days or 4months to fix it before your "breaking" the law for the inoperable vehicle.

You prob dont even have to cover it till next month since you have Maryland plates.

Best bet as said before just cover it up, people do it all the time especially during the winter time.
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Old 12-05-2009, 09:18 AM   #17
SilverBoosted
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Its Trailrated Yo

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How bout reregistering it in Md using a friends address??????
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Old 12-05-2009, 09:43 AM   #18
WRXWagon2112
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Location: Suburbia in MD
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timskyline86 View Post
Well Technically if the tags dont expire for a another two months then you have a total of 120days or 4months to fix it before your "breaking" the law for the inoperable vehicle.
Not true. Under Virginia law, you are required to title/register/tag your car within 30 days of moving to the state: "Welcome to Virginia" PDF from VDOT - regardless of whether your car is still legal in another state.

--Alan
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Old 12-05-2009, 09:46 AM   #19
DCRallyDave
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MartiniWRC Codriver

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Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverBoosted View Post
How bout reregistering it in Md using a friends address??????
Don't register until you are ready to drive it again or you'll have to pay insurance on it. Stupid to spend $ on insurance when you are trying to save to have repairs done. Don't need the VA title either. You have MD title saying car belongs to you.

I live in VA but have cars registered to shop in MD. Advantages are only one time safety inspection and no property tax.
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Old 12-05-2009, 11:18 AM   #20
lando
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Chapter/Region: MAIC
Location: HR. Gangsta
Default

You can register it, but if you do that, you MUST have insurance. If you register and then dont put insurance on it, youll get a suspended license.

You can probably leave it in the drive way and put a car cover over it.


^^ dcrallydave, im pretty sure thats illegal, but oh well :X
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Old 12-05-2009, 11:48 AM   #21
DCRallyDave
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Default Anything that resembles fun is outlawed in VA

Quote:
Originally Posted by lando View Post
^^ dcrallydave, im pretty sure thats illegal, but oh well :X
I'm sure it is; the shop isn't in MD anymore. My bad.
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Old 12-09-2009, 11:57 PM   #22
NVAKeith
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Location: Arnold, MD
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2011 LGT Blue

Default

Keep storage insurance on the car to cover fire, theft, trees falling, etc. It's cheap and will cover the car if something stupid happens. Seriously, a friend of mine blew the motor on his car so he parked it, pulled the tags, and dropped the insurance on it for a few months while he saved up the $ for a new engine. Unfortunately the car was stolen and he had to keep making payments in it.
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Old 12-10-2009, 01:26 AM   #23
silverF4turbo
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Location: DC
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Let's JDM styling!

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Quote:
Originally Posted by irish44j View Post
I thought in woodbridge people were REQUIRED to keep a non-operable vehicle up on blocks in their back (or front) yard...
haaaa
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Old 12-10-2009, 12:45 PM   #24
WorldRallyRedneck
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Wow those laws suck, here in WV any non operative vehicle must be on blocks setting with at least 2-3 other non working vehicles in the front yard at all times. Preferably surronded by lawn ornaments or non running lawnmowers.
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Old 12-10-2009, 01:53 PM   #25
VA07WRX
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^^ And old toilets converted into flower pots.
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