Registering My Car For The First Time in CA, Any Tips?

rennch · rennch's Garage

I'm registering my 69 911 with a 3.0 engine transplant for the first time in California. It's smog-exempt, so I think I'm covered there. The procedure seems kind of wonky to register a classic car, so if anyone has anything I need to know ahead of time, I just thought I'd ask.

As far as I know, I have to take it into the DMV to have it checked over by a State Trooper for safety, then fill out a few more documents before I can have it registered. Anything else I need to know?

Thanks in Advance.

Michael

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

any tips? don't register it here. this state is ridiculous.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

What year is the motor out of? If it is an '82 for example, you technically need it to have all the equipment required in that year, and it will have to pass smog. They will want to make sure the VIN on the registration matches the one on the car too.

I would not tell them that I did a swap and I bet they would never be the wiser.

pitargue · pitargue's Garage

I recently registered a 1964 VW notchback in CA. In my case, they looked at the engine and compared it to some 1964 DMV book that the DMV employee had. Thank goodness my engine was stock because the very nice lady didn't know anything about cars. They had to verify the engine number, but couldn't get to it due to the design of the car. Had a very hard time finding the VIN number. (It was found on the transmission tunnel stamped onto the metal.) Not much of a safety check. Didn't even see if the turn signals or the brake lights worked.

Otherwise, it was pretty painless. Just plan to spend 1/2 day at the DMV.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I've brought several vintage vehicles into the state and never had to jump through any special hoops to get them registered. I don't think the guys at DMV were ever the
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Head416 · Head416's Garage

I've never had a car that old, but my understanding is that it is NOT smog exempt, but you are exempt from biannual inspections. So basically they won't make you get smog checks, but by the letter of the law it's supposed to still be compliant. I would say it's a '69 and offer no other information and try to stay under their radar.

Evans, Marv · 03-10-2014, 11:14 AM

I've not heard of anybody having problems registering a pre '75 car in CA. For sure I wouldn't volunteer information. Just play dumb & say everything on the car was the way you bought it and original as far as you are aware, unless it's something super obvious. A strategy of picking a busy time of day or a busy DVM might be OK. Seems like every other person owns a '69.

Ronbo · 03-10-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emptyo

As far as I know, I have to take it into the DMV to have it checked over by a State Trooper for safety, then fill out a few more documents before I can have it registered. Anything else I need to know?

I did this years ago with an old car from out of state and found the process went quickly and smoothly using the AAA rather than the DMV. There was no safety inspection.

Nostril Cheese · 03-10-2014, 02:24 PM

+1 on AAA. Been there done that.

rennch · rennch's Garage

I think I'm going to get AAA just to save me the hassle. That's what the DMV lady said to me today as well.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Bring the jumbo-size bottle of lube.

I think aaa / auto-club can't be done for an initial, only renewals, but I kinda forget, maybe you can... It's well worth the money to have even if only for renewals and such.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Some info here is not accurate. Definitely use AAA if you're a member, there is no emission/smog check ever on a 1969 vehicle and no safety check. If it's currently titled/registered in another state, just bring the title into AAA or DMV and switch it over. They might want to verify ViN# on car but that's about it. Should take less than a 1/2 hour.

I've never bothered with vintage plates. I don't think that CA even has them. Just reg your car and off you go!

One bit of advice is not to let your registration lapse or get late, they like late fees here. Other than that, it's all easy here.

ossiblue · 05:24 PM

Okay, I've done this numerous times with classic cars and from out of state as well.

Yes, pre-75 MY cars are exempt from smog inspection but not compliance. Upon registration, they are exempt from smog testing/certification as well. Technically, the engine determines the smog compliance issue so, as mentioned by others, keep quiet on the engine issue and volunteer no information. The 69 had very minimal smog equipment, if the inspector even is aware of it, which is doubtful.

Finally and most importantly, you live in San Diego--Southern California. That is important because the Auto Club of Southern California does, in fact, register cars from out of state and you can do all the work at a AAA office. All DMV paperwork can be done through the AAA, which will send it off to Sacramento. There was quite a debate about this in another thread so I personally went to my local AAA office and asked. That's when I found out the Southern California section of Auto Club is separate from the Northern section and it was people in the northern areas (Bay area, for example) who were having problems getting Auto Club to register old, out of state cars.

Simply put, do the following (at Auto Club or DMV):

Have all paperwork in hand including title signed over from seller (if appropriate) or your original title and your latest registration paper for the car.
Be ready to point out the VIN locations for the inspector--that's really the only eyes-on inspection they do. They do not look at the engine, exhaust, or anything else if the car is driven and is in decent condition. There is no safety inspection unless the car has been registered as a non-op or is in someway a "built" car.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

The CHP will want to verify the VIN hasn't been altered. You leave the original state's plate on, drive to the CHP office (appointments can take weeks) they impound the car, go over it and return it to you in 30 minutes or so.

At least that has been my experience. Once you've jumped through that hoop, DMV takes your money and gives you plates and tags and you're good to go. Last time I did it, the CHP guy was curious about 911s and friendly. Not a bad experience except for the appointment delay. Oh, and there's no charge for the check.

ossiblue · 03-10-2014, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techweenie

The CHP will want to verify the VIN hasn't been altered. You leave the original state's plate on, drive to the CHP office (appointments can take weeks) they impound the car, go over it and return it to you in 30 minutes or so.

At least that has been my experience. Once you've jumped through that hoop, DMV takes your money and gives you plates and tags and you're good to go. Last time I did it, the CHP guy was curious about 911s and friendly. Not a bad experience except for the appointment delay. Oh, and there's no charge for the check.

This brings up a good point. I believe if you go through the DMV, they send you to CHP for VIN check. I've always registered my cars through Auto club and have never been sent to CHP. Rather, the Auto Club tech inspects the VIN and verifies its validity. I don't doubt Techweenie's experiences with CHP and that is another reason why I always went to the Auto Club for registration--timely and easy.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Ha. My nearest Auto Club has a bunch of old laundry ladies doing the DMV work and they are slow as molasses -- far far worse than DMV staff. Never seen anyone who I'd imagine would be a 'tech' there. Maybe I should go to the office in Capistrano Beach!

ossiblue · 03-10-2014, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by techweenie

Ha. My nearest Auto Club has a bunch of old laundry ladies doing the DMV work and they are slow as molasses -- far far worse than DMV staff. Never seen anyone who I'd imagine would be a 'tech' there. Maybe I should go to the office in Capistrano Beach!

LOL

Well, you'd be welcome and the ladies aren't old either! And yes, I use the term "tech" quite loosely as I had to point out the VIN locations on the cars I registered. Still, it was fast and easy--done within twenty minutes each time. You must live in the "old' part of L.A.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

They absolutely will do the VIN check at the DMV, or they do in Sacramento County. You will want to make an appointment for this. Have the current registration and proof of insurance with you. Make it easier on them and show them where the VIN is. They are lazy and stupid or they probably would not work at the DMV. The less interaction you have with them the happier you will be.

John Rogers · 03-10-2014, 06:21 PM

Since I live in Chula Vista, I might be able to help a little. Last April I bought a 2007 Chevy HHR LT2 that had been registered it's whole life in Tennessee. The original owner was a US Marine, getting out and he had the smog test completed on the base for me and I was lucky the car was a "50 state" car. None of that applies to you but the next part does; I used a local license/registration company since I was doing some day time teaching as well as night classes so I did not want to have to deal with DMV. The young lady was amazingly beautiful and I figured she could get what ever she wanted at the DMV and I was correct as they transferred the handy caped plates from my F350 to the HHR. It did take a couple days, no big deal and their cost was $25.00 which was in addition to the title transfer, etc fees. I would suggest trying the same so you do not have to worry about dealing with a DMV lady like the one in the GEICO commercial! If interested, you can email me at oldracer at att.net.

rennch · rennch's Garage

Thanks John, and all. I don't think it's a bad idea to have AAA for a 45 year old car anyway...so I guess I'll get a membership and go that route. I've got to register that and my jeep anyway, so it will save some time. Thanks all.