CA suspended registration, moved to PA
Hi, I’m a little overwhelmed and wondering if anyone here can help. Thank you in advance!
3.5 months ago I moved from CA to PA. My car was registered in CA, CA license, reg up to date, all that. I planned to switch everything over to pa after signing a lease here but life is really fun and i got diagnosed with leukemia soon after moving…basically I forgot/couldn't muster the will to deal with DMV shit. I know I should’ve but I didn’t do it! I did get PA insurance though so I didn’t have a lapse in coverage. I renewed my CA registration and license in September Of last year.
anyway I gathered all the forms last week to finally get a PA DL and then I received a notice in the mail today from the CA DMV saying they suspended my registration (I’m assuming my CA insurance company told them my policy lapsed.)
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I’m assuming that to solve this problem I need to get my PA license, then get my PA registration, pass inspection, then tell California “hi I I moved away” so that they know I’m not in CA anymore and they won’t charge me? Is that right?
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Will it cause problems registering my car in PA if CA suspended my reg? I know in some states trying to transfer an expired registration takes extra steps but idk about one suspended by CA. I have the title and the car is paid off and in my name.
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the back of the letter CA sent me saying I need to fill out some form with the date my car left the state. am I going to owe CA money or something when I tell them my car left the state 3 months ago? I’d like to know if I’ll have to pay a bunch of money to soften the blow lol
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on Friday I have to travel to my parents house a few hours away for chemo and im staying there a week, obviously I want to fix the mess I made here asap because it’s stressing me out but I can’t get a new license and reg and inspection all in the next 3 days. luckily I don’t have to drive my car there, but since my reg is suspended should I not drive the car to the title/tag place when I get back?
sorry for so many questions but I want to make sure I do everything right so I don’t have to drag it out longer!
Posted Jun 8, 2026, 10:08 PM UTC