Registering used out of state vehicle in Cali

S

Sarki

Member
Need some advice from those familiar with Cali vehicle registration process.
Daughter moving from east coast to Los Angeles for work.
She will need to buy a used car, maybe Honda Fit, Scion IM, Mini Cooper, etc.
I would like to purchase the car on the east coast and drive it out to her so I can find a quality car and do whatever service is needed.
Would there be an issue with her having the car there indefinitely with out of state plates & insurance?
Alternatively would there be any problem to register/insure in LA once I drive it out to her?
Not familiar with Cali smog rules or registration process.
Any obstacles.
Advice & any insight greatly appreciated.
 
Register to hide this ad
Make sure under the hood on one of the stickers it say this vehicle conforms all federal and US EPA and California standards.

It says something like that.
 
I have a federal emissions 4Runner. It passes smog every time. As long as it's a low emissions vehicle (will have it on the smog sticker wherever it lives) it's fine. Basically every car on the road is, it's not like we all drive Prius and Teslas out here.
 
Thanks for replies.
After searching high & low for quality low mileage “appliance” car for my daughter relocating cross country to CA I picked up a 2019 Honda Fit Sport.
Currently, registered, titled & insured in my name in NY but will reside in Los Angeles for next year or so.

Question remains: Can we keep the car titled, registered & insured under my name while my daughter resides in CA for the next year or so? I’d rather not go through the hassle and expense of titling, registering & insuring in her name in CA as she most likely won’t be residing there for more than a year or so (hopefully ☹️)

I believe the local CA DMV requires the car be put in her name within 20 days of becoming a resident. Is this actually enforced as tough to imagine how it would be since lots of people from other states pass through the state.

Any advice from those in the know would be appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • 585ACE8B-FD40-4716-9F08-3777F9C454AE.jpg
    585ACE8B-FD40-4716-9F08-3777F9C454AE.jpg
    74.4 KB · Views: 302
  • 79A6A0F7-E022-4267-A968-E3DFF6FCC731.jpeg
    79A6A0F7-E022-4267-A968-E3DFF6FCC731.jpeg
    101.3 KB · Views: 313
I guess the question would be.............Is she really becoming a resident, or just living there for a temporary position. I'm sure the state would like her to become a resident, but really? Lots of snowbirds spend months and more in other states, but keep their permanent resident elsewhere. Lots of others do the same. Tourist industry workers for example. Students, etc. I'm very sure they would like to enforce otherwise,(more tax revenue) but its almost impossible.
 
Oldmanb777 said:
I guess the question would be.............Is she really becoming a resident, or just living there for a temporary position. I'm sure the state would like her to become a resident, but really? Lots of snowbirds spend months and more in other states, but keep their permanent resident elsewhere. Lots of others do the same. Tourist industry workers for example. Students, etc. I'm very sure they would like to enforce otherwise,(more tax revenue) but its almost impossible.
Click to expand...
Appreciate the response.
I tend to agree with your line of thinking. I know they would like to collect the fees associated with registering the car in CA.
The state will obviously know she’s residing there as she’ll be paying taxes and will be enrolled in health insurance plan. She’ll keep her NY driver license and hopefully fly under the radar as far as auto registration.
Planning to hit the road next Tuesday and arrive in Los Angeles by the weekend.
Thanks to all who posted.
 
There’s also a rule about under 7500 miles (iirc - double check the number) you have to pay CA sales tax to register in CA. Otherwise people would buy out of state vehicles to avoid sales tax.

You might look at this seriously as there were scams to fly and buy motor homes out of state, drive it around, then drive it home to CA. DMV revised the rules recently so you might research it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 374 (members: 4, guests: 370)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,316
Messages
3,554,110
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top