"You need to apply for a driver license within 10 days of establishing residency. Last Updated: July 2, 2019 Having trouble registering your vehicle in the state of California or obtaining a driver license? Next, drive the car to your nearest smog station to make sure it passes California's emission regulations. My partner Frank Bisek and I just moved to Sacramento from Knoxville, Tenn. "I'm not doing a commerical license. Appointments at some DMV locations are backed up for several weeks. And now, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is asking residents to report if they frequently notice the same vehicle displaying an out-of-state plate. References. The process to transfer an out of state car title in California must be completed by vehicle owners who have recently relocated within the state, and by existing residents who have purchased a motor vehicle from outside of the state. California also grants exemptions for emergency vehicles, or a car you purchased while you were stationed on active military duty. After that, get an application form for title or registration at the DMV and fill in the details. The clerk will verify your documents and give your originals back to you. You got lucky.” If you ride a street legal dirt bike in California and you’re just passing through, you’re fine. You can find public scales by visiting the website of the California Department of Food and Agriculture at, To find a field office near you, visit the DMV's website at. If you're planning on registering and using the car as a commercial vehicle, you also typically won't need to complete the odometer disclosure. [1] The CHP is clamping down on out-of-state drivers with expired license plate tags, and it’s showing up in the state’s bank account. Research source. You'll get a credit for it towards your California taxes. For private passenger vehicles, you must have at least $15,000 coverage for the injury or death of one person, $30,000 coverage for the injury or death of more than one person, and $5,000 coverage for damage to property. To shorten your wait time, you can make an appointment online or by calling 1-800-777-0133. That can be complicated when booking an appointment at the DMV, which is a requirement for getting a driver license. Field offices are not open on weekends or holidays. If the other state requires you to send the plates back to them, it's your responsibility to turn the plates back in – the California DMV won't do this for you. This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. You can also get a copy of the application at the DMV and fill it out while you wait. This article has been viewed 135,117 times. A California resident located out of state may register their vehicle in California. Somebody moving to California from out-of-state has 10 days after establishing residency to get a California driver license and 20 days to register his or her vehicle. If your California-registered vehicle was stolen or wrecked out of state, and you bought a 49-state car to replace it, you can register it. For more tips, including how to check if your 49-state car is exempt from California regulations, read on! Because it’s most likely another resident who has unlawfully registered their vehicle or is still registered in another state or country. Or, you may already live in California, but you bought a car in another state. November 2020: Talia Chapman-Martin is ABC10's Teacher of the Month, Update: 2 brothers killed in Arden Fair Mall shooting identified by family, 49ers getting Samuel, possibly other key players back, Sacramento Kings set to face Blazers, Warriors during 4-game preseason, Many people turning to real Christmas trees as bright spot amid coronavirus pandemic. If you're a California resident and you're looking at buying a car out of state, you might want to check this before you buy the car. "You will need your title, your out-of-state registration and possibly a smog check, which you would get at any of the smog stations that you might see in California.". Remember to bring all of your paperwork with you, including your driver’s license and proof of insurance. Information on that is HERE. Getting the Required Documents and Inspections, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Register-an-Out-of-State-Car-in-California-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Register-an-Out-of-State-Car-in-California-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Register-an-Out-of-State-Car-in-California-Step-1.jpg\/aid9542751-v4-728px-Register-an-Out-of-State-Car-in-California-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

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