QuestionQUESTION: I am an out of state resident and permanently moving to CA. I have a valid class C (out of state) driver's license. I have the title to my vehicle.
The registration is expired on my car- I have been traveling the country and when it expired, I couldn't get back across the country to my home state to get it re-registered/inspected.
I want to get a CA license and register the car here, but I have seen on the DMV website that they need the registration card/paperwork from the last state. I don't have current info for that. Does the title suffice? If not, what do I do?
Also- I have to turn in the plates to my old state- do I need to have them at the CA DMV too or not?
Also, what is the proper order? Get license, then insure, then register??
Thank you for your help!
ANSWER: Hello Elle and welcome to AllExperts!
Firstly, the priority of your drivers license versus vehicle registration doesn't matter as long as both are done within the required time. See below. Your insurance should cover your car without a problem, but it is important to advise them of your new place of residence as soon as practical.
Secondly, your title and old registration will be needed. I recommend you call your old DMV and have them send you a renewal notice to your new residence as soon as possible, and be sure to obtain a temporary operating permit from Ca DMV so you are not cited by a police officer for expired plates/registration. Also, you will be required to surrender your old plates. I'm not sure if the Ca. DMV will accept them or will want you to surrender them to your former state though....
Thirdly, your car must meet the rigid emissions standard of California. If not, you must pay whatever cost that would entail to have the authorized parts added to your engine and system tested.
As you intend on permanently residing in California, you will have 20 days after your arrival in state to register your vehicle unless you apply for an extension at your local Ca DMV.
This is what will then be required of you:
1) A CA Application for Registration signed by all registered owners as they appear on the out-of-state registration and/or title.
2) Last issued registration certificate or renewal notice for the current year or a letter from former State verifying reg. period.
3) The vehicle must be inspected by an authorized DMV employee, law enforcement officer, or a licensed vehicle verifier.
*) Inspections are best done by bringing the vehicle to DMV, where there is no extra fee charged for the inspection.
4) Smog certification, if applicable.
You will have to also pay some fees.....
1) DMV Registration
2) CHP Fee
3) County Fee
4) Vehicle License Fee
5) Use Tax
6) Nonresident Service Fee
7) Penalty if you exceed the 20 day period without an extension.
This process appears daunting, and will take some time. I highly recommend you call your local DMV and make an appointment as soon as possible. They can walk you through this and provide a temporary extension which will help you avoid penalty fee's and possible citations from police officers for registration violations.
Best of luck Elle and have a great day!!
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thank you so much for your answer, and for responding so quickly.
I have a follow up question:
I have residences in neighboring towns of DE and PA (which I will still have once I officially move to CA as main residence). The problem I see now is that my license is DE, but the car was last registered/kept in PA (prior to DE license, I had PA license).
At the time the car was going to sit in PA pending a sale, so didn't see the point in registering in other state, only to sell it shortly after. Things fell through and with finances, I thought it better to keep it. So that is how I have the car's last reg in one state and license in another.
Can I still go to PA for the letter of renewal, or what else can I do? Does this not matter, or is it going to be a series of landmines for me?
I would want to surrender the plates directly to the old dmv. That is what I did with an RV I sold, and I felt I knew for sure it got there- cut out the middle man.
Thanks again Terry, for your help, and I look forward to your response.
Elle
Answer- Answering via mobile phone -
No problems Elle. Request a duplicate registration from the last State in which it was registered. The many involved states regarding both registration and license should not be a problem for you. While this may seem problematic and a bit convoluted, DMV is very familiar with this issue.
Things may appear as landmines, but they are easily diffused. No worries. I hope this has answered your question.
Have a wonderful day Elle !
Terry
