Tips on Buying Cars: Car registration in CA when the titles not in my name, dmv office, car registration

Question
QUESTION: My grandfather got a car loan for me because I have a foreclosure and couldn't get a loan. I moved to California and the car is registered in his name in Pennsylvania.  The registration and stickers will expire in a year.  When that year is up, I don't know if my credit will be good enough to be put on as a co-owner.  If not, am I able to register the car in California? I already have CA insurance.  I make the payments on the car.
Thanks!

ANSWER: Jasmin,

Thanks for your question.  Yes, you will be able to register the vehicle in your name in California, the same way that you registered the vehicle in your name in PA.

Thanks - JB

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: JB,
Thanks for the reply, But this is the issue ... the car is not in my name. It is in my grandfather's name.  The hope is that in a year, I will be able to be put on as a co-owner, but right now, the car is solely in his name and I am making the payments.  In a year, everything expires, and I either have to drive back to PA to get new stickers and then drive back, or hopefully register the car here in CA.

Answer
Jasmin,

Thanks for the follow up.  I apologize, but I read the question wrong the first time.  In most states, you can register the vehicle as the registered owner without being on the lien.  However, in California, the owners of the vehicles and the name the lien is under must be the same.  So, to answer your question, you either need to get yourself on the loan, or yes you will have to drive to PA and get new tags there.  Also, understand this, if you have PA tags, but live in California you are techincally breaking the law, so here is what I would do:  Call your local DMV office in the county where you live in California and see what needs to happen and explain to them the situation with your Grandfather, and see what they say.  There may be some provision where they will let you register the vehicle in your name, but keep the lien in his name.  

Thanks - JB