Registration Fee Increase in July
Vehicle registration fees will be increased, effective July 1, 2009.
Click here for the rate increase schedule.
Posted: March 23, 2009, 12:44:55 PM
Faster and Faster
As the world around us continues to change, we are faced with making adjustments to accommodate the new realities. One of the new realities come home to roost is the lack of funds to maintain our road system. Due to lack of investment in the past, our roads are in pitiful condition and require a lot of work to keep them usable. The old method of funding was the gasoline tax, paid at the pump. The idea was the more you used the roads, the more tax you paid. This money was called HUTF, and dispersed around the state to counties and towns. Then the economy dropped and gas prices rose. Drivers cut back on the trips and revenue from gas taxes plummeted.
Several alternative funding scenarios were proposed including installing a GPS chip in everyone vehicle which a scanner at the gas pump would read and charge according how many miles were traveled. Obviously, those of us in the rural areas would be hit hardest. This would also enable the government to track where a vehicle had been. Fortunately, another solution won out.
Enter the FASTER – Funding Advancement for Surcharge Transportation and Economic Recovery Bill. The gist will be higher vehicle registration fees on renewal notices and fines for late registrations beginning July 1, 2009. Senate Bill 09-108 was signed into law on Monday, March 2nd, and represents the largest fee increase for vehicle registrations in many years. The bill can be reviewed on the General Assembly website at www.leg.state.co.us.
As a general rule, the fees in this bill are based on the weight of the vehicle, which can be found under the CWT section on your registration. To arrive at your vehicle weight, take the number under CWT on your registration and multiple it by 100. Beginning in July, the average car registration (weighing 2001# to 5000#) will increase by $32. Motorcycles and very light-weight vehicles (2000# or less) will increase by $22.50. An average pick-up (5001# to 10,000#) will increase by $39.50, and larger trucks will see an increase of $51.50 to $55.00. The fee increase does extend to utility and camper trailers as well, based on their weight.
The bridge safety surcharge fee included in the bill is phased in over three years, so registrations will continue to increase over a three-year period. The average car will cost an extra $32 the first year; $36.50 the second year; and $41 the third year. Other vehicle types will experience similar staged increases over the three-year period.
One aspect of this bill involves a mandatory fine for late renewals. The fee will be $25/month for every month past the 30 day grace period on your vehicle, up to a maximum of $100. This will be in addition to the new renewal fees. Please evaluate your vehicle licenses to determine which vehicle or trailer is not up-to-date and renew prior to July 1, 2009. In addition, vehicle owners may want to consider selling or disposing of vehicles that are infrequently used, no longer used, or often left with expired registrations.
The county clerk’s office is currently reviewing the 67-page bill, but our office has yet to receive any official interpretation on implementing this bill from the Department of Revenue, but will continue to update Saguache County citizens as we receive pertinent information. A chart of the fees can be viewed on saguachecounty.net on the Clerk’s page. Now some good news – Melinda and Renee are completing the Department of Revenue Driver License training and should be able to renew your current regular and CDL licenses by the end of April. Please call ahead to make sure we’re available.
Posted: March 23, 2009, 12:42:53 PM
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