[Turk]

I realize this year, more than any other will be very difficult for the DMV clerk to get through to Sacramento at the first or second or the 10th. try. This has been a problem in the past.

Do whatever you have to to stay there and not leave until you get your number!! Clerk's first reaction after getting a busy signal with many people still in line for other DMV matters will be to ask you to come back later, or may be even some other day.

Do NOT do that. As she/he is helping others , other locations are getting through and getting those numbers. By the time your clerk gets around to it, the numbers may very well be gone!!

I don't know what you have to do, bring lunch or flowers or whatever, but do not leave until you get your number. With you not standing in front of them it is not likely she is going to keep trying during her lunch break until she gets thrugh.

Your best bet will be is to treat this car like new construction and start from scratch. Any previous registration will only complicate things.

You don't have to take your car there. They don't need to see it. She will give you a temporary good for 60 plus days to drive your car around to get other things like CHP and BAR done If you need additional extensions, they will even do that 60 days later..

You are then on your way to a Cobra ownership, California style.

I am afraid there will be a lot of broken hearts this year.

TURK