Registering out of state cars in California

[Deschodt]

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....

[Tobra]

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.

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by Tobra

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

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 even with an out of state license...
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 !

[Tobra]

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.

[E Ray]

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

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by E Ray

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

All true. There are a lot of vehicle registration 'brokers' that do this for not that much money.

[red-beard]

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.

[Noah930]

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.

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by Noah930

. . .
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.
. . .

Weird. AAA did this for me last summer. Maybe it is motorcycle specific but I doubt it. They did have me work with someone that was specifically trained in that process.

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

[Deschodt]

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.

[BeyGon]

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.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

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" ;-)

Commies!! We are all ghey, drug addict, gang banger commies!!!

There, that should do it... welcome to the coven!

[BeyGon]

and the weather has been great.

[aigel]

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

[Zeke]

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.

[Noah930]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Weird. AAA did this for me last summer. Maybe it is motorcycle specific but I doubt it. They did have me work with someone that was specifically trained in that process.

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.

[Zeke]

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.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Deschodt

FL roads are redefining boredom.

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.

[Noah930]

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. Fortunately I was able to get another clerk to help me out.

[E Ray]

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.