This form confirms the VIN and engine numbers. While some peace officers can sign this, it is usually easiest to have a DMV employee or a licensed vehicle verifier do it in person.
The biggest hurdle is the Smog Check. Even if a car passed an emissions test in another state, it must pass a California-specific Smog Check at a licensed station before it can be registered. buying a used car out of state california
Required only if you are registering a truck or pickup. Taxes and Fees This form confirms the VIN and engine numbers
California considers any vehicle with fewer than 7,500 miles on the odometer to be "new." You generally cannot bring a "new" out-of-state vehicle into California unless it is certified for California emissions. Even if a car passed an emissions test
California law requires you to register an out-of-state vehicle within 20 days of its arrival in the state. The "entry date" is when the car physically crosses the border, not when you purchased it. Missing this window leads to late fees that scale based on the vehicle's value. Emissions and the "50-State" Requirement
The physical or electronic record from a CA smog station.