How To Register Cars In Two States

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Y'all may have recently moved to California from another state. Or, y'all may already alive in California, but you bought a car in another state. In either case, you'll demand to follow California'southward procedure for registering an out-of-country car. At that place are a few additional steps to registering an out-of-state automobile that don't employ to cars bought in the land of California.^[1]

1. 1

   Check the auto'southward emissions label. Y'all car will accept an emissions label under the hood. If information technology'due south certified in California, it will include a argument that it conforms to California state regulations. If it doesn't include that statement, you lot may not exist able to register the car in California.^[2]

   • If you're a California resident and y'all're looking at buying a car out of state, you might want to bank check this before you lot buy the car. If you'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 almost California's emissions laws if your auto was built earlier 1976.^[3]

2. 2

   Evaluate exemptions if your car isn't California certified. If your car doesn't conform to California state regulations, information technology's considered a "49-land car." California constabulary provides a few exemptions that will allow yous to register a 49-state car. You lot will need to bear witness the DMV proof that your automobile falls into one of these exemptions.^[4]

   • If you got the auto as part of a divorce, inheritance, or legal settlement, yous'll be able to annals the car.
   • If your California-registered vehicle was stolen or wrecked out of country, and you bought a 49-state car to supercede it, you can register information technology.
   • California too grants exemptions for emergency vehicles, or a car yous purchased while yous were stationed on active military duty.
   • Cars built before 1976 also are subject to an exemption.^[5]

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3. iii

   Get the last issued out-of-country title or registration. To prove that you lot own the vehicle, you must present the title or registration from the country the motorcar came from. Yous'll demand to get the title unless the auto is financed.^{[half dozen]}

   • Visit the California DMV website at www.dmv.ca.gov to find a list of out-of-state DMV offices where you can request a copy of the title or registration.
   • If the out-of-state championship has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you typically will demand to asking a duplicate from the state that issued the title before yous can register your auto and get a California title.

4. four

   Complete the odometer disclosure. Your title will have an odometer disclosure section that must be completed by the seller and acknowledged by you lot every bit the buyer of the motorcar. This disclosure isn't mandatory if the car is more than than 10 years one-time, or is a brand new automobile.^[7]

   • If you're planning on registering and using the auto as a commercial vehicle, you as well typically won't need to consummate the odometer disclosure.
   • If you don't have the title (such as if your automobile is financed and the lien holder has the championship), you must fill out a REG 262 course. You can't download this form online because it is printed on security paper. Call the California DMV at one-800-777-0133 to have a form mailed to you.^[viii]

5. v

   Make a re-create of your bill of auction. If you recently purchased the car from out of country and are registering information technology in California every bit a new owner, you will need to present a copy of the bill of sale to establish the concatenation of buying.^[9]

   • If yous didn't get a document specifically titled "Bill of Sale," a finance agreement or other purchase agreement volition suffice.

6. 6

   Calculate your registration fees. The California DMV has a fee calculator available online that you tin can apply to determine how much you'll have to pay to register your out-of-land car.^[ten]

   • Go to https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/portal/feecalculatorweb/index and click on the "nonresident vehicles" link.
   • Yous will have to provide data about the type of vehicle and model year. You lot'll also enter the date you purchased the vehicle and the date you start drove it in California.
   • If y'all paid any apply or sales tax in the other state, enter this data as well. You'll become a credit for it towards your California taxes.

7. vii

   Certify your car at a California smog station. Most cars must have a smog certification earlier they can be registered in California. The only cars that don't crave smog certification are diesel-powered cars of model year 1998 or newer.^[eleven]

   • To detect the smog station nearest you, visit https://www.smogcheck.ca.gov and click the "Find a Station" push.
   • Smog check prices aren't regulated, then you may want to shop around at several stations to find the all-time toll.^[12]

8. 8

   Verify the motorcar's weight if you're registering the car as a commercial vehicle. If your out-of-state machine is for personal use, you lot won't need a weighmaster's certificate. However, you volition need one if you plan to annals the car as a commercial vehicle and use it for business purposes.^[thirteen]

   • Yous can find public scales by visiting the website of the California Section of Food and Agriculture at https://apps1.cdfa.ca.gov/publicscales/.

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1. 1

   Visit your local California DMV office. When y'all're ready to register your out-of-state machine in California for the commencement time, you'll take to bulldoze the motorcar to the nearest DMV field office and submit an application along with all the required documents.^[fourteen]

   • To find a field office near you, visit the DMV's website at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/offices.
   • To shorten your wait fourth dimension, you tin can make an appointment online or by calling i-800-777-0133. Field offices are not open on weekends or holidays.

2. 2

   Complete the awarding for title or registration. The application for title or registration asks for information about you and the auto you want to register in California. You also must provide data about the purchase of the car.^[xv]

   • You tin can download the application from the California DMV's website and make full it out ahead of time. You can also go a copy of the application at the DMV and fill it out while yous await.

3. 3

   Have your car verified at the DMV. You must take your out-of-country car to your local DMV to verify the car's vehicle identification number (VIN). This must be done by an authorized DMV employee, who volition also conduct a visual inspection of the automobile.^[16]

   • The California DMV recommends that you make an appointment so you don't have to wait equally long. If you lot have all of your required paperwork, yous can register your automobile at the same fourth dimension you get the verification.

4. 4

   Submit your application along with certifications and proof of buying. When you've finished filling out your application, you lot'll need to requite information technology to the DMV clerk forth with the title or registration from the other state, your bill of sale, smog certification, and whatever other required documents.^[17]

   • The clerk will verify your documents and give your originals dorsum to you.

5. 5

   Prove your driver's license and proof of insurance. Earlier the DMV will process your registration, you must bear witness that y'all have car insurance that meets the country minimum requirements.^[18]

   • For private rider vehicles, you must have at least $15,000 coverage for the injury or death of one person, $30,000 coverage for the injury or decease of more one person, and $5,000 coverage for damage to property.^[19]

6. 6

   Pay the required fees. One time the clerk has processed your application, they'll summate the corporeality of fees y'all owe to register the automobile. If you've already calculated your fees online, yous'll take an thought of how much this is going to be. However, if your calculation differs from the clerk'south calculation, the clerk's calculation is the one that you'll accept to pay.^[xx]

   • DMV field offices accept cash, personal checks, and credit or debit cards.
   • A portion of these fees may be revenue enhancement deductible. Contact a California tax advisor or consultant for more information.

7. 7

   Turn over your out-of-land license plates if required. In most cases, you'll have to requite the out-of-state license plates to the DMV to get your new California plates. There are exemptions, such as if the plates are expired.^[21]

   • If the other country requires y'all to send the plates dorsum to them, it's your responsibleness to plow the plates back in – the California DMV won't practise this for yous.

8. viii

   Put your new plates on your car. One time your registration is consummate, the clerk will issue your registration document and give you new plates to put on your car. If you ordered specialty or custom plates, yous'll become a temporary plate to utilise until you go your plates in the mail.^[22]

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Commodity Summary X

To register your out-of-country car in California, start by locating your electric current title or registration and bill of sale to evidence that you ain your car. Next, drive the automobile to your nearest smog station to make certain it passes California's emission regulations. If you don't know where your nearest smog station is, you tin locate information technology at smogcheck.ca.gov. Once you lot've done that, drive to your local DMV office in California. Remember to bring all of your paperwork with you, including your driver's license and proof of insurance. After that, get an application course for championship or registration at the DMV and fill in the details. When you've finished the paperwork, pay the required fees. Then, plow over your out-of-land license plates if required, and switch them for your new California plates. For more tips, including how to check if your 49-state motorcar is exempt from California regulations, read on!

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