Can I Buy A Car In Utah And Register It In California

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You may take recently moved to California from another land. Or, y'all may already live in California, but you lot bought a motorcar in another state. In either case, you'll need to follow California'southward process for registering an out-of-state car. There are a few additional steps to registering an out-of-state motorcar that don't employ to cars bought in the state of California.^[1]

1
Check the machine's emissions label. You auto volition have an emissions characterization under the hood. If it's certified in California, it volition include a argument that information technology conforms to California state regulations. If it doesn't include that statement, yous may not be able to annals the machine in California.^[ii]
- If you're a California resident and you're looking at buying a car out of state, you might want to check this earlier you lot buy the car. If you're unable to register your car in California, you may non be able to go your money back.
- You don't need to worry about California'southward emissions laws if your machine was built before 1976.^[3]
2
Evaluate exemptions if your car isn't California certified. If your automobile doesn't conform to California state regulations, information technology's considered a "49-state car." California police provides a few exemptions that will allow you to register a 49-state motorcar. Y'all will need to show the DMV proof that your car falls into ane of these exemptions.^[4]
- If you got the automobile equally part of a divorce, inheritance, or legal settlement, y'all'll be able to register the car.
- If your California-registered vehicle was stolen or wrecked out of state, and you bought a 49-state auto to replace it, you can register it.
- California too grants exemptions for emergency vehicles, or a car you lot purchased while you were stationed on agile armed services duty.
- Cars built before 1976 besides are subject area to an exemption.^[five]
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three
Get the last issued out-of-country title or registration. To prove that you own the vehicle, you lot must present the title or registration from the country the car came from. Yous'll demand to get the title unless the car is financed.^[6]
- 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 title has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you typically will need to request a duplicate from the state that issued the title before you can register your car and go a California title.
iv
Complete the odometer disclosure. Your championship volition accept an odometer disclosure section that must be completed by the seller and acknowledged past you as the buyer of the car. This disclosure isn't mandatory if the car is more than than 10 years onetime, or is a make new car.^[7]
- If you lot're planning on registering and using the auto equally a commercial vehicle, you as well typically won't need to complete the odometer disclosure.
- If you lot don't have the championship (such as if your auto is financed and the lien holder has the championship), yous must fill out a REG 262 class. You can't download this form online considering it is printed on security paper. Call the California DMV at 1-800-777-0133 to have a form mailed to y'all.^[viii]
five
Make a copy of your beak of auction. If you lot recently purchased the automobile from out of state and are registering it in California as a new possessor, yous will need to present a copy of the bill of auction to establish the concatenation of buying.^[ix]
- If you lot didn't get a document specifically titled "Bill of Sale," a finance understanding or other purchase understanding will suffice.
6
Summate your registration fees. The California DMV has a fee figurer available online that you lot can use to determine how much yous'll have to pay to register your out-of-land car.^[10]
- Go to https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/portal/feecalculatorweb/index and click on the "nonresident vehicles" link.
- Y'all will have to provide information nigh the type of vehicle and model yr. You lot'll also enter the date you purchased the vehicle and the engagement you outset drove it in California.
- If you paid any use or sales tax in the other state, enter this information likewise. You lot'll become a credit for information technology towards your California taxes.
7
Certify your car at a California smog station. Almost cars must accept a smog certification earlier they can exist registered in California. The only cars that don't require smog certification are diesel-powered cars of model year 1998 or newer.^[xi]
- To find the smog station nearest you, visit https://www.smogcheck.ca.gov and click the "Find a Station" button.
- Smog check prices aren't regulated, so you may want to shop effectually at several stations to find the all-time price.^[12]
8
Verify the car'southward weight if you're registering the car as a commercial vehicle. If your out-of-land car is for personal employ, you won't need a weighmaster's certificate. All the same, you will need one if yous plan to register the automobile as a commercial vehicle and apply it for business purposes.^[13]
- You lot can find public scales by visiting the website of the California Section of Nutrient and Agriculture at https://apps1.cdfa.ca.gov/publicscales/.
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1
Visit your local California DMV role. When y'all're ready to annals your out-of-state car in California for the first fourth dimension, yous'll accept to bulldoze the motorcar to the nearest DMV field office and submit an application along with all the required documents.^[14]
- To find a field office about you, visit the DMV's website at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/dmv/offices.
- To shorten your await fourth dimension, you can brand an appointment online or by calling 1-800-777-0133. Field offices are not open on weekends or holidays.
ii
Consummate the application for title or registration. The application for title or registration asks for information about you and the car you want to annals in California. You also must provide information about the purchase of the car.^[xv]
- You tin download the application from the California DMV's website and make full it out ahead of time. You can too become a copy of the awarding at the DMV and fill information technology out while you wait.
3
Have your car verified at the DMV. Yous must take your out-of-land automobile to your local DMV to verify the machine'south vehicle identification number (VIN). This must be done by an authorized DMV employee, who will also conduct a visual inspection of the car.^[16]
- The California DMV recommends that yous make an appointment so you don't have to wait as long. If you lot accept all of your required paperwork, you can register your machine at the aforementioned time yous get the verification.
iv
Submit your application along with certifications and proof of ownership. When you've finished filling out your application, you'll need to give it to the DMV clerk along with the title or registration from the other state, your neb of sale, smog certification, and whatsoever other required documents.^[17]
- The clerk volition verify your documents and give your originals dorsum to you lot.
5
Evidence your driver'south license and proof of insurance. Before the DMV will process your registration, you must evidence that you have car insurance that meets the country minimum requirements.^[18]
- For individual rider vehicles, you lot must have at least $15,000 coverage for the injury or expiry of one person, $30,000 coverage for the injury or death of more than i person, and $5,000 coverage for damage to property.^[19]
6
Pay the required fees. One time the clerk has processed your application, they'll calculate the amount of fees yous owe to register the car. If you've already calculated your fees online, you'll have an idea of how much this is going to be. Withal, if your calculation differs from the clerk's calculation, the clerk's calculation is the 1 that you'll take to pay.^[20]
- DMV field offices accept cash, personal checks, and credit or debit cards.
- A portion of these fees may be tax deductible. Contact a California tax advisor or consultant for more information.
7
Turn over your out-of-country license plates if required. In virtually cases, you lot'll take to requite the out-of-country license plates to the DMV to get your new California plates. There are exemptions, such equally if the plates are expired.^[21]
- If the other state requires you lot to send the plates back to them, information technology's your responsibleness to turn the plates back in – the California DMV won't do this for you.
viii

Put your new plates on your car. Once 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, y'all'll get a temporary plate to utilise until you go your plates in the mail.^[22]

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Article Summary Ten

To register your out-of-state car in California, beginning by locating your electric current title or registration and bill of auction to testify that you own your auto. Adjacent, drive the car to your nearest smog station to brand sure it passes California's emission regulations. If yous don't know where your nearest smog station is, you can locate information technology at smogcheck.ca.gov. Once you've done that, bulldoze to your local DMV function 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 form for title or registration at the DMV and fill in the details. When yous'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 than tips, including how to check if your 49-state car is exempt from California regulations, read on!

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