If my motorcycle is registered and LEGAL in my home state can I be ticketed for another states laws?

Question

I am military and living in California. I am asking about the exhaust noise mostly. I know I dont have to meet smog regulations with an out of state registration.

Answer 1

If the motorcycle (or automobile for that matter) is registered in another state and you drive into California you cannot be ticketed for failing to comply with the state smog or safety inspection requirements.

The exception is if there is an obvious and visible safety concern, if you are generating visible smog because of burning oil or a very, very poorly tuned motor, or if you are breaking environmental noise regulations (if you're running straight (drag) pipes or have removed the baffles from your mufflers.

The trouble is if you live in California and keep the vehicle in California, Legally you need to move the registration to the state where the vehicle resides for the most of the year (at least that's the law in NY, CA might have a 30 or 60 day requirement). This is something you may avoid doing but becomes a problem if you get pulled over (say for speeding) and the officer discovers that you have lived in CA for 2 years but have a Virginia registration (this happened to me).

IMHO, the most important thing you should consider is that your insurance company requires you to insure through the state where the vehicle is garaged. If you keep your out of state insurance and registration while living in CA and then get into an accident your insurance company might not cover you.

Remember to wear a leather jacket, boots, gloves, and a full face helmet.

Answer 2

yes

Answer 3

Emission laws excluded; you and your vehicle and it's contents are subject to the laws of the state in which you are driving. Examples: you are 16 and licensed to drive in Pennsylvania. Do not cross the state line into New Jersey. One must be 17 to drive in New Jersey. You are licensed to carry a concealed weapon in your state. Once you cross the state line you are not licensed and may be braking the law by having a weapon in your car. In many states a vehicle must stop if a pedestrian steps off the sidewalk and assumes the right of way. The law may not exist in your state of registration but it does where you are driving. Regarding your loud pipes; most states will not bother you unless you get stupid, but there are laws in most states that forbid exhaust alterations.

Answer 4

Being in the employ of the US Military, give you some leeway in that your state of 'home record' isn't Cali. As for the noise level, you'll probably bite the bullet on that one. You can always take you chances in front of the judge.  As for changing your tags and insurance, it's not required, so long as you remain in service.

Answer 5

Temporary residence is excluded from most state laws as was mentioned before. Noise and emission laws are enforcable even if you are just riding through. LICENSING laws are different from state to state, as are firearm laws. Alabama has reciprocal laws with Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Notrh Carolina, Mississippi, and Lousianna for sure and Probably many more. We even accept concealed carry permits from almost every state in the US (as long as their firearm laws are at least EQUAL to ours) The same is true for drivers licenses, insurance, and safety inspections. As far as insurance companies? They depend on whether or not you have temporary residence of the state in question or if they have an office in that state. My insurance is sold in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi. I just would have to transfer my agent's assignment, but my coverage is the same. My bike conforms to my state of LEGAL residence and only needs to conform to emission standards in any other state. (Noise or Smog)