Registering a vehicle in California

Registering out of state vehicles

Application for Title or Registration.

Vin Verification: 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.

Smog certificate

exemption?

Smog inspections are required unless your vehicle is:

Hybrid

1975 year model or older

Diesel powered

Electric

Natural gas powered and has a Gross Vehicle Weight rating of 14,001 lbs. or more.

Motorcycle

Trailer

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

In a private party transaction 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 duplicate. 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.

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.

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