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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 5,874
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Registering out of state cars in California
I know a lot on this board talk about moving out of Cali, but I for one have been trying to move back there for 10 years ;-) It is getting closer to reality, but one caveat to our move (other than jobs, home sale, kids schools) is that I currently own 4 old cars (and a modern one)...
All of them are pre-Smog as far as I know (68 to 73), so only the family car will need a SMOG certificate, correct ? I understand an inspection is required for out of state cars.... As far as the DMV goes, I don't see myself booking 5 separate appointments to get the cars inspected. Is there a pay-service that comes to your location (presumably car storage, since I won't have a big garage initially, or maybe ever) to do whatever the DMV requires and saves you from having to show up with all cars in person ? Debating if I should thin the herd before moving, that's a lot of shipping $$$ ;-( Then again I know what i have now, if I sell I'll re-buy stuff that's probably not in as good a condition.... |
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Control Group
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I think AAA or Allstate has a service that will handle that for you. You "might" be able to do one appt for inspection of all, but I am dubious. 1975 and older get very cursory DMV inspection, no smog. 1976 and newer get very cursory DMV inspection and smog check.
I would encourage you to go to a test only station, less chance for shenanigans where you fail, and for a small fee they tune it up to get it to pass. If they are project cars, you can register as Planned Non Op and there is no registration fee. That may only be good for renewals though.
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She was the kindest person I ever met |
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 5,874
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Quote:
AAA, good idea... Problem with inspection is I am not limber enough to drive 5 cars at once to the same inspection, and I've read all about delays/appointments, I'd like to minimize that. Apparently you need to retake the driving written test, too ![]() All within 10 days for DL and 20 for registration. Good luck to me ;-) I think I'll thin the herd before I go. If you factor Hagerty's requirement for storage, too, I'm making my life more difficult than it needs to be ! |
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Control Group
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You retake the written test, and I think you may need a copy of your birth certificate and Florida driver's license.
20 days, ha. Took me at least twice that long to bring a car from Oregon and get the thing registered, started the day I brought it here.
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She was the kindest person I ever met |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: CA Excape now in free TN
Posts: 96
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I have done this way too many times, All the cars will require a VIN verification, no safety inspection in this state, go figure. The VIN verification can be done by the DMV, the CHP local PD among others. Depending where you are moving to there are several private services that will come out to you (LA or the Bay area) I know my local AAA does not verify VINs or handle "new" registrations to the state. Also depending where you are locating there are “good” and “bad” DMV offices, I am very fortunate to be near a “very good” office.
If all the cars are drivers you may want to do the DMV experience, make an appointment and take all your title / registration / insurance paperwork and take in the wonders of the CA DMV. One thing you may want to do is spread things out over time so you don’t have all your renewals showing up in the same month, can get pricy. Good luck
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'78 930 '01 TT Quatro '01 Golf TDI '03 Jetta TDI '02 Jetta Wagon TDI '67 Fiat 500 '96 F350 Turbo diesel F108 Porsche Diesel Tractor And a barn full of projects '57 Isetta, '72 914 1.7, VW bugs '68 & '70 All waiting for restoration |
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,794
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canna change law physics
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Doesn't AAA do this? I remember they did most of my transactions. It was quicker, less hassel and worth every penny of my AAA membership.
The only thing AAA couldn't do was install a VIN number on a car dolly. I had to go to DMV for that.
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James The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the engineer adjusts the sails.- William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) Red-beard for President, 2020 |
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Driver
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When I moved back to CA a few years ago I had AAA switch over the titles to our three vehicles. I had to do it one vehicle at a time, as they had to physically match the VIN from paperwork to vehicle. Still it was far less painful than doing it at the DMV branch. That was mainly because of the lack of significant lines at the AAA branch. The employees, themselves, were no different: AAA vs DMV. All from the same mold of mindless bureaucrat.
However, when I purchased a motorcycle from out of state, and had to switch over the title, AAA would not do that and required me to go to the DMV for that. That was painful, as I had to go from the DMV to the CHP (with the next available appt 35 days later) and back to the DMV. If you have to go to the DMV, it is advisable to schedule (online) an appointment. The line for the appt holders is usually fairly short, while the line for the walk-ins can be anywhere from 10 minutes to over an hour depending on your luck.
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1987 Venetian Blue (looks like grey) 930 Coupe 1990 Black 964 C2 Targa |
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Diss Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SC - (Aiken in the 'other' SC)
Posts: 5,022
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Quote:
Bought a truck from a guy from Oregon last year. Went to AAA and they did all the paperwork which included the VIN verification. The two additional things it needed was the smog cert (truck is an 88) which I made the seller provide and a weight from a certified scale (required for a truck). Hint: If you do this for a truck strip the vehicle before weighing. Take out the spare tire, remove all possible contents. (I should have removed the passenger seat!) The annual registration fee for a truck is based on the initial registration weight
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- "Speed kills! How fast do you want to go?" - anon. - "If More is better then Too Much is just right!!!" - Mad Mac Durgeloh -- Wayne - 87 Carrera coupe -> The pooch. |
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: CA
Posts: 5,874
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Ok, thanks guys...
I'm surprised given this board's history that no CAL-hater has popped up saying "see all the $%$#% you gotta do? don't go there" ;-) I cannot wait to bring my oldies back to nor-cal on the old Excellence loop - pretty sure I know where it is, if not I'll have a good time looking for it. FL roads are redefining boredom. |
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Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
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I haven't had any problems registering out of state cars, the only real problem is if they don't have at least 7000 miles on them, no matter how old.
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least common denominator
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: San Pedro,CA
Posts: 22,506
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Quote:
There, that should do it... welcome to the coven!
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Gary Fisher 29er 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0t gone ![]() 1995 Miata Sold 1984 944 Sold ![]() I am not lost for I know where I am, however where I am is lost. - Winnie the poo. |
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Banned
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Dana Point, Ca
Posts: 55,591
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and the weather has been great.
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Now in 993 land ...
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I moved 2 pre 75 cars when coming to CA and with an appointment it was a matter of 10 minutes to get it done. My wife drove one, I drove the other. It depends which DMV you go to, but this can be much less hassle than you estimate.
G |
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,794
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I got my '71 911 S out of KY. When I took it to the local registration service they sent a gal outside to verify the VIN. I told her that I would open the hood and show her where it was stamped into the body. I had to laugh when she asked about the motor.
Yeah, there are still some folks who don't know about rear engined cars. I think she thought it might be under the smuggler's box door. |
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Driver
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Like I commented, the qualify of employee at the AAA office is not significantly better than that at the DMV. So perhaps the AAA agent who "helped" me out didn't know what to do and just told me they didn't offer that service. Easy peasy solution for her.
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1987 Venetian Blue (looks like grey) 930 Coupe 1990 Black 964 C2 Targa |
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Long Beach CA, the sewer by the sea.
Posts: 37,794
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My AAA office doesn't offer any inspection services. If you can't do in inside, it can't be done there. But, they do have a stack of plates and tags ready to go.
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Bandwidth AbUser
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: SoCal
Posts: 29,522
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Yeah. They want to make sure the blue-haired old ladies don't go accidentally careening off the road.
Make sure you make an on-line appt with DMV. It's faster in/out of their office if you do.
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Jim R. |
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Driver
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Odd, as my AAA branch is willing to do cursory inspections. As in, coming out to make sure the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN on the paperwork. Well, unless it's raining. (It was barely drizzling.) Then the clerk declined to do it.
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1987 Venetian Blue (looks like grey) 930 Coupe 1990 Black 964 C2 Targa |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: CA Excape now in free TN
Posts: 96
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I imagine the VIN verification service thru AAA is office specific, only offered by offices that have ”DMV trained” staff to perform the task. Since the office I use is small, 3 people tops at the DMV services desk, they just don’t off the service, but still a whole lot better for the basics than the DMV.
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'78 930 '01 TT Quatro '01 Golf TDI '03 Jetta TDI '02 Jetta Wagon TDI '67 Fiat 500 '96 F350 Turbo diesel F108 Porsche Diesel Tractor And a barn full of projects '57 Isetta, '72 914 1.7, VW bugs '68 & '70 All waiting for restoration |
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