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submitted 4 days ago by Catoblepas to c/los_angeles@infosec.pub

cross-posted from: https://jlai.lu/post/41622777

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[-] ExtremeDullard@piefed.social 12 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Where I currently live, they incentivize people by allowing them to "mothball" their vehicles at will so it stops costing you: if you don't use it, you de-register it for use on public roads, it costs a few euros to do so, and that instantly freezes road tax and insurance payments. If you need to use it again, re-register it on the internet, and it's instantly usable again.

It's nice because you may want to be mostly car-free, but still retain a vehicle - or several - for special occasions. Me, I keep a minivan parked in the garage most of the year, and I use it a few times a year to move furniture or buy oversized items for my workshop of for the garden, and to drive my disabled wife somewhere if she needs to get there fast and can't wait for an accessible cab.

We don't get paid not to drive, but it pays not to drive here. I wonder if the LA incentive offsets the running costs of a keeping a vehicle insured and taxed.

[-] Cricket@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 days ago

I've never heard of any programs anywhere in the US like what you described. It sounds great and I wish that it was more common, but I also think that it would mainly work in places that have good public or other alternative transportation infrastructure.

[-] ExtremeDullard@piefed.social 5 points 3 days ago

Yes of course. This is done to promote public transportation. But this is Europe, and even out here deep in the sticks, I'm not far from a bus stop with a regular, reliable, clean and affordable bus service.

[-] Cricket@lemmy.zip 2 points 3 days ago

It's certainly not as cheap and not as simple, but in my state it's fairly easy to go to a DMV and get a 30 day temp plate. You have to do it in person and it's like $30, but still handy. Insurance is required and a separate matter. (also just looked it up to confirm the above and you can get a one-way permit for $5 which it sounds like you could make the start and end point your house with an intermediate point, still can't do it online tho)

[-] Cricket@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago

Thanks for that. I didn't realize until now that my state also issues temporary permits, somewhat similar to what you described.

this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2026
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