Registration fees accrued on idle cars must be paid

Question: I have had a non-running car in my driveway for a while. Recently I repaired the car, but have extensive registration fees to pay. After researching how to properly store the car and surrender the plates, I realize I have no recourse but to pay the fees. However, I was told by an attorney friend the fees will eventually "drop off" and I can renew my registration after a few years. Is this true? If so, how long is that statute of limitations?

Answer: The Division of Motor Vehicles, Licensing and Permits does not purge registration records after a specified time of inactivity, said Sheri Kajiwara, director of the city Department of Customer Services, which includes the DMV.

"Thus, there is no ‘statute of limitations’ on payment of delinquent car registration fees," she said.

We reported in 2011 that the new owner of a 2000 pickup truck, which hadn’t been registered or driven since 2003, was liable for all registration fees and taxes that had accrued in the eight years before the purchase. See bit.ly/1xvQV0r.

Kajiwara said the perception that the city stops pursuing unpaid motor vehicle fees after a certain period "may stem from an old practice that was driven by records storage capacity issues, not law."

In the past, registration records were deleted from files after so many years of inactivity.

"With today’s technology, storage capacity is no longer an issue, so there is no longer a purging process," Kajiwara said. "Unpaid registration fees stay with the vehicle regardless of the owner, so it would be wise for a buyer to check to see if registration is current before purchasing."

There is a way for motor vehicle owners who will not be using a car, keeping it off public roadways, to avoid annual fees and that is to place the vehicle in "storage" status, she said.

The process is outlined on the back of the vehicle registration form and was to be posted online.

Going Green

The "Going Green" recycling event held in different communities every month will be held in the parking lot of the state Department of Taxation, 830 Punchbowl St., 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday (June 9). The event replaces the June 20 event initially planned at Jefferson School, which has been rescheduled to Aug. 29.

Items accepted: scrap metal; bikes; appliances; three each of propane tanks, fire extinguishers and heat pumps; unlimited number of computers, monitors, printers and scanners; one TV per car; used household cooking oil; cellphones, ink cartridges, personal digital assistants; all kinds of batteries; usable clothing; used eyeglasses and hearing aids for Hawaii Lions Clubs; incandescent light bulbs exchanged for CFLs (four maximum per car); prom dresses and accessories for the Bella Project; women’s business suits and accessories for Dress for Success; canned goods for Hawaii Foodbank; pet food, towels, blankets for Poi Dogs and Popoki; and HI-5 containers.

For free towing of unwanted cars or for relevant information, call 291-6151.

Items not accepted: tires, paint, microwave ovens, motor oil, cardboard, paper, plastics, wood, bulky items and hazardous fluids.

The Going Green Community Recycling Clean-Up Program began as Aloha ‘Aina Earth Day eight years ago.

Schools, churches and community and other organizations interested in hosting a recycling event can contact Rene Mansho, the volunteer coordinator of the islandwide events, at 291-6151.

Mahalo

To two ladies in a dark-colored van on Kalawao Street in Manoa. I got lost one Wednesday evening trying to find the Manoa Public Library. I pulled alongside their van and asked for directions, which they gladly gave me. But then the driver suggested I follow her out to the main road and she’d blink her headlights when we got to the library. Sure enough, I was finally able to get to my destination. Thank you, ladies! — Grateful Motorist

Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.

___________

CORRECTION: The Going Green recycling event for June is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 9, in the parking lot of the state Department of Taxation, 830 Punchbowl St. The wrong date was given in a previous version of this story.