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Ever wondered what you need to know about CA DMV Regulations?

Registering out of state vehicles:

  • Application for Title or Registration.
  • Vin Verification: CA DMV requires the vin number to be verified on out of state vehicles being registered in CA. Not every DMV does vin verifications.

They're given outside in the same area where they are giving drivers tests. Ring the bell, and wait for a DMV employee to come out, and verify the vin on the vehicle. The vin number must be displayed in all the appropriate places.

Buick Regals are notorious for the digital odometer reading on the instrument cluster to go out. You will have to get this repaired, or the vin verification will not be completed. The odometer reading must be visible.

If you have a vehicle that has California plates but an out of state title you don't need a Vin Verification. The DMV calls this "Golden Rod."

There are registration services that will take care of DMV paperwork for there customers. It's usually $20. Lots of dealers use registration services because it's more convenient for them than going to the DMV themselves. Dealers have to go to certain DMV's that take dealer paperwork. The only two I know of in Los Angeles County are in Downtown Los Angeles, and Winnetka.Dealers charge $40 to $50 document preparation charge to their customers so the registration service isn't coming out of their pockets. Most registration services also due Vin Verifications for a fee as well. Many people who operate vehicle registration services are former DMV employees.

Smog certificate

Can I get an Exemption?

Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is:

  • * Hybrid
  • * Gasoline powered 1975 year model or older
  • * Diesel powered manufactured prior to 1998 or with a Gross Vehicle Weight rating (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs
  • * Electric
  • * Natural gas powered with a GVWR rating of more than 14,000 lbs.
  • * Motorcycle
  • * Trailer

When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?


According to CA DMV, the seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

If you acquire a vehicle that is currently registered in California from a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild, you are entitled to an exemption from the smog inspection. Other family members or relations are not exempt and are required to obtain a smog inspection certification.

  • Title
  • REG 262 Transfer of ownership / Bill of Sale

Registering salvage vehicles

  • Vin verification
  • Weight certificate, if applicable: Usually for commercial out of state pickup trucks. This certificate may be obtained from many moving and storage companies for a nominal fee. Check your local telephone directory for the public weighmasters near you.
  • Brake & Lamp inspection: You must do a brake and lamp inspection to register a vehicle with a "Salvage Title". The reason behind it is to prove to the DMV that the vehicle is in safe operating condition. The brake and lamp inspections and certification must be performed by a repair shop that is certified to perform these inspections. You can end up spending a lot of money getting the vehicle to meet specifications.
  • Application for Title or Registration.
  • Smog certificate: Only good for the public for three months. Good for a dealer for two years.
  • Title
  • REG 262 Transfer of ownership / Bill of Sale

 

Registering a vehicle without the title

If you're buying the vehicle from the registered owner and they don't have the original you can file for a Application for Duplicate Title REG 227. It'll cost you an extra $18 bucks when you go to the DMV to register that car in your name. It's a pink form the registered owner signs off on. You can also download one off the CA DMV website. Run a Carfax on the car if the seller doesn't have the original title. The vehicle could be salvaged and the buyer could have no way of knowing.

Registering a vehicle without the original or duplicated title


Sometimes people will buy cars without receiving the title at the time of purchase. After sometime they have no way of contacting the registered owner to get the original or a duplicate. They're completely without a title. In this case the DMV will have the buyer obtain a surety bond. The bond financially protects the State in case of a legal dispute concerning ownership of the vehicle for which the State has issued a title.


What if I need license plates?

  • The regular series vehicle fee for substituting, duplicating, or replacing a license plate is currently $17. If you only have a plate in the back you'll get a ticket.

What if I have no title?

You'll have to get a bonded title, otherwise known as a defective title bond, if you have a vehicle in the state of California you want to register and have no title. This bond is required to protect the lien holder, or rightful owner to the vehicle if a title is issued to a person who is not the actual legal owner of the vehicle.

What if there is a mistake on the title?

The most common mistake made on titles are signing in the wrong places. An REG 101 statement of error or erasure needs to be filled out if any type of mistake is made on the title. . The one who made the error has to explain the error on the REG 101 form, and that know fraud was intended. If you're trying to figure out how to determine your registration renewal fees try adding 1.2% of the selling price of the car to $85. You should get pretty close.