[Got the Bug]

awatkins,

The length of the TOP issued will all depend on the DMV office that you visit and rep that you helps you. It seems like some offices are being extremely tight to the point of only giving out one day tops, while other people get TOPs for 60+ days.

The strategy that I took, was to start the process in June and hope that I could drive my car through the summer. I was lucky enough to get a sufficient number of TOPs to get me through from June to December.

Pretty easy to do. Visit the DMV and pay your fees. They'll indicate the requirements that you need to meet (BAR, CHP, Brake/Light, etc.) on the top of your temp registration. The only thing you can really do is the CHP and Brake/Light. Don't do anything. Drive your car until the TOP runs out. I'll be damned, business travel has prevented you from meeting any of the requirements. Go back to DMV to get another TOP. Chip away at the requirements SLOWLY and keep getting TOPs.