How To Register A Out Of State Car In Ca

Download Article

Y'all may have recently moved to California from some other state. Or, you lot may already live in California, just y'all bought a car in another state. In either case, yous'll need to follow California's procedure for registering an out-of-state motorcar. There are a few additional steps to registering an out-of-state car that don't apply to cars bought in the state of California.^[ane]

ane
Cheque the car's emissions label. Y'all machine will have an emissions characterization under the hood. If it'southward certified in California, it will include a statement that it conforms to California land regulations. If it doesn't include that argument, you lot may not exist able to register the motorcar in California.^[2]
- If you're a California resident and you lot're looking at ownership a car out of land, you might want to check this earlier you buy the car. If y'all're unable to register your car in California, y'all may not be able to go your money back.
- You don't need to worry about California's emissions laws if your car was built before 1976.^[3]
2
Evaluate exemptions if your machine isn't California certified. If your car doesn't conform to California land regulations, it's considered a "49-state car." California law provides a few exemptions that will let you to register a 49-state automobile. You will need to prove the DMV proof that your car falls into one of these exemptions.^[4]
- If you got the machine as part of a divorce, inheritance, or legal settlement, you'll be able to annals the car.
- If your California-registered vehicle was stolen or wrecked out of state, and you bought a 49-country car to replace it, you can register it.
- California too grants exemptions for emergency vehicles, or a car you purchased while you were stationed on agile military duty.
- Cars built earlier 1976 also are subject area to an exemption.^[5]
Advertizing
3
Go the terminal issued out-of-state title or registration. To prove that you own the vehicle, y'all must present the title or registration from the state the car came from. You'll need to get the title unless the car is financed.^[6]
- Visit the California DMV website at www.dmv.ca.gov to observe a list of out-of-state DMV offices where yous can request a copy of the championship or registration.
- If the out-of-land title has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, yous typically will demand to asking a indistinguishable from the state that issued the title before you can register your motorcar and go a California title.
4
Complete the odometer disclosure. Your championship will have an odometer disclosure section that must be completed by the seller and acknowledged by y'all as the buyer of the car. This disclosure isn't mandatory if the car is more 10 years old, or is a brand new car.^[7]
- If you're planning on registering and using the auto as a commercial vehicle, you also typically won't need to complete the odometer disclosure.
- If you don't have the title (such as if your car is financed and the lien holder has the title), yous must fill out a REG 262 form. You lot can't download this form online because it is printed on security paper. Call the California DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to have a form mailed to you lot.^[8]
five
Make a copy of your bill of auction. If you recently purchased the car from out of state and are registering it in California as a new owner, you volition need to present a re-create of the pecker of sale to establish the chain of ownership.^[9]
- If you didn't become a document specifically titled "Neb of Sale," a finance agreement or other purchase agreement will suffice.
vi
Calculate your registration fees. The California DMV has a fee calculator available online that you tin can use to determine how much you'll have to pay to register your out-of-country car.^[10]
- Go to https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/portal/feecalculatorweb/index and click on the "nonresident vehicles" link.
- You will have to provide information most the type of vehicle and model year. You'll also enter the engagement you purchased the vehicle and the date you showtime drove it in California.
- If you paid whatsoever use or sales tax in the other state, enter this information as well. You'll get a credit for information technology towards your California taxes.
7
Certify your automobile at a California smog station. Most cars must have a smog certification before they can be registered in California. The but cars that don't require smog certification are diesel-powered cars of model year 1998 or newer.^[11]
- To find the smog station nearest yous, visit https://www.smogcheck.ca.gov and click the "Notice a Station" push.
- Smog bank check prices aren't regulated, and then you may want to shop around at several stations to detect the all-time price.^[12]
8
Verify the car'southward weight if you're registering the car every bit a commercial vehicle. If your out-of-state car is for personal use, you lot won't need a weighmaster'due south certificate. However, yous volition demand ane if you program to register the motorcar every bit a commercial vehicle and employ it for business purposes.^[13]
- Y'all can discover public scales by visiting the website of the California Department of Nutrient and Agriculture at https://apps1.cdfa.ca.gov/publicscales/.

Advert

ane
Visit your local California DMV office. When you're ready to register your out-of-land machine in California for the first time, you'll have to drive the car to the nearest DMV field part and submit an application along with all the required documents.^[14]
- To find a field office near you, visit the DMV's website at https://world wide web.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/offices.
- To shorten your wait time, y'all tin can make an appointment online or by calling i-800-777-0133. Field offices are not open on weekends or holidays.
two
Consummate the awarding for title or registration. The application for title or registration asks for information nearly y'all and the automobile yous want to annals in California. You also must provide information about the purchase of the car.^[15]
- You can download the application from the California DMV's website and make full it out ahead of time. You can too get a copy of the application at the DMV and make full it out while you wait.
3
Accept your car verified at the DMV. You must take your out-of-state car to your local DMV to verify the car's vehicle identification number (VIN). This must be done by an authorized DMV employee, who will likewise conduct a visual inspection of the car.^[sixteen]
- The California DMV recommends that you make an date so y'all don't have to wait as long. If you accept all of your required paperwork, you can register your car at the aforementioned time you go the verification.
4
Submit your application forth with certifications and proof of ownership. When y'all've finished filling out your application, you'll need to give information technology to the DMV clerk along with the title or registration from the other state, your bill of sale, smog certification, and any other required documents.^[17]
- The clerk will verify your documents and give your originals back to you.
v
Prove your driver's license and proof of insurance. Earlier the DMV will procedure your registration, yous must bear witness that you have car insurance that meets the state minimum requirements.^[18]
- For private passenger vehicles, yous must have at least $15,000 coverage for the injury or death of ane person, $xxx,000 coverage for the injury or expiry of more than ane person, and $v,000 coverage for damage to property.^[nineteen]
vi
Pay the required fees. Once the clerk has candy your application, they'll calculate the amount of fees you owe to register the car. If you lot've already calculated your fees online, you'll accept an idea of how much this is going to exist. However, if your calculation differs from the clerk'due south calculation, the clerk's calculation is the one that you'll take to pay.^[20]
- DMV field offices have cash, personal checks, and credit or debit cards.
- A portion of these fees may be tax deductible. Contact a California taxation advisor or consultant for more information.
7
Plough over your out-of-state license plates if required. In about cases, you'll have to requite the out-of-state license plates to the DMV to become your new California plates. There are exemptions, such as if the plates are expired.^[21]
- If the other land requires you to transport the plates back to them, it'due south your responsibleness to plow the plates back in – the California DMV won't practice this for you.
viii

Put your new plates on your car. Once your registration is complete, the clerk will issue your registration document and give you new plates to put on your car. If you ordered specialty or custom plates, you'll get a temporary plate to use until you get your plates in the mail.^[22]

Inquire a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to go a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

About This Article

Article Summary X

To register your out-of-state auto in California, get-go by locating your current title or registration and beak of sale to prove that yous ain your car. Next, drive the machine to your nearest smog station to make sure information technology passes California'southward emission regulations. If you don't know where your nearest smog station is, you tin locate it at smogcheck.ca.gov. Once yous've done that, drive to your local DMV role in California. Think to bring all of your paperwork with yous, including your driver'southward license and proof of insurance. After that, get an awarding form for title or registration at the DMV and fill up in the details. When you've finished the paperwork, pay the required fees. Then, turn over your out-of-country license plates if required, and switch them for your new California plates. For more tips, including how to check if your 49-country car is exempt from California regulations, read on!

Did this summary help y'all?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 201,576 times.

Did this article help you?