Bringing an Unregistered (NONOP) RV Motorhome

[marienbad]

I would like to bring my motorhome that has been registered in California as "NONOP" for a few years. The NONOP status doesn't require any insurance and it allows me to legally move it from place to place using a "moving permit".

The "moving permit" is a slip of paper you get at the DMV that lets you drive the RV for a day either to repair it or sell it or transport it to a new spot, and according to them there is no limit to how many you can get.

My question is simply: Does the BM staff care that it's unregistered and uninsured? Will there be any trouble using a BM vehicle permit for my rig? Can anyone cite previous instances of "NONOP" vehicles coming to BM?

[Ano]

You are tempting the BLM with this. I would so not do this. Even if you might be in the legal "right," it seems like way more of a grey area, and although it might work out, I see the hammer coming down hard on you if BLM or other law enforcement gets you.

Just my two cents. I would always play safe, rather than sorry!

[tamarakay]

So if you are in an at fault wreck, who helps the other guy?

[FlyingMonkey]

So if you are in an at fault wreck, who helps the other guy?

Exactly.
-Odds are the other guy will be one of us.

You are abusing the intent of the Nonop. It's nice that the DMV allows people to do that. I'm thankful that I don't have to register my bus just to move it 38 miles to my buddies house. Don't be that guy.

[Mojojita]

If you can't afford to register your vehicle, you probably shouldn't be spending the $ to attend Burning Man. If you are in a wreck with an uninsured vehicle, the resulting lawsuit could cost you everything you have now and anything you might make for years.

Seriously, build a monkey hut and bring a tent and lets have a drink together.

[GreyCoyote]

Important point: the State of Nevada does not need to honor a Non-op issued by the State of California. If you move it within calif, you are fine. But cross that state line and your butt is hanging in the breeze.

[Captain Goddammit]

The licensing issue isn't that big a deal. I don't think BM or the gate staff give a crap about that. Even if you get popped by the Nevada cops, the no-registration thing isn't a felony that will put you behind bars.

But no insurance, now that's fucked up all over. Big ticket, and potentially huge lawsuit in an incident.
That's just plain irresponsible.

[Zubeneschamali]

I think the Nevada cops will be all over you. Maybe you don't get a ticket, maybe you do. But you will get stopped.

I'll place money on that bet.

[trilobyte]

My understanding is that your NONOP would give you permission to move it within the state of California, and would not provide you with any permissions in any other state.

The real issue is whether the vehicle is legal to drive in the state of Nevada, and meets any state insurance requirements. If not, expect to be ticketed on your way in and possibly towed/impounded.

[Dr. Pyro]

I agree with Trilo and Zubeneschamali: the cops on 447 (and let's face it, there really is no other practical way to get there) are just aching for a reason to stop anybody. 27 MPH? Ticketed. Blocked license plate? Ticketed. NONOP? Fugeddaboutit

[lucky420]

Important point: the State of Nevada does not need to honor a Non-op issued by the State of California. If you move it within calif, you are fine. But cross that state line and your butt is hanging in the breeze.

exactly ^^

[lucky420]

Also in Nevada if you get stopped and your registration is expired most cops will not let you drive the vehicle away. Nope nada you'd most likely have to have it towed from where you were stopped

[Doctor VonBacon]

Have you considered...

Registering and insuring the vehicle for the trip?

I know, it's a radical concept.

[maladroit]

This is just a really terrible idea. Just register and insure it...you don't have MUCH time, but you have time.

[Eric]

Moderator note: I've had to remove the posts encouraging illegal activities. Don't be stupid - law enforcement reads these boards, and condoning or encouraging illegal activities of any kind is against the ToS.

For the OP - register & insure your vehicle if you're going to drive it. There is a 100% guarantee that you will be pulled over if you don't have current tags (it could happen on 80, 447, or even Gate road. Possibly on all of them if the vehicle wasn't impounded on a previous stop. Driving uninsured is just being, to put it politely, "self-entitled".

[maladroit]

When driving to the playa, you don't aim for getting pulled over but able to explain yourself. You aim for not getting pulled over AT ALL.

Because when they have ANY excuse to pull you over, they will be excited to have the chance to discover something illicit. If they call the dogs, they WILL hit, even if you have nothing, and then the cops will pull everything out of your RV. When they find nothing, they'll leave you to put it all back in.

That 4-5 hour side jaunt is what we all prefer to avoid. Having your vehicle proudly legal with all stickers and light bulbs in place helps a lot.

[Eric]

Apparently I'm not being clear enough, since I've had to remove another post. Do not advocate that the OP break the law by driving an unregistered vehicle across state lines to go to a festival. Period. Not only is it so legally grey that it makes the SF fog look clear, but it's setting him up to be pulled over regularly.

The police are just looking for reasons to pull vehicles over - driving an unregistered one is just giving them your ass on a golden platters. To put it bluntly.

[BBadger]

It'll be great. After the officer notices your expired plates, you'll be pulled over for some sort of reason.



"Honest officer, I'm just 'moving' the motorhome for the day, across state borders to a garage in Black Rock City, Nevada for repairs. I've even got multiple one-day California moving permits to prove it!"

Any officer is going to see right through this hippie ruse.

The best part is that if -- when -- you get cited and forced to pay for towing back to California, you get to pay all the registration fees for that year, and the penalty. It'll almost be as if you had legally registered the vehicle in the first place -- as you should have!

[gaminwench]

Yay! The master of italics and reason is baaaaack!!!

[caffeineslinger]

The answer is don't do it. Can we just lock this thread down?