How To Register A Nonresident Vehicle

Definition of a nonresident vehicle

A nonresident vehicle was last registered outside the state of California. Anyone who brings a vehicle into California, or purchases a nonresident vehicle while in California, should be aware of the registration requirements.

NOTE: California law prohibits importing and/or registering a new vehicle with less than 7,500 miles at the time of purchase unless it meets or is exempt from California Emission standards. If you acquire a 49-State vehicle (manufactured for all states except California) from another state or country, you may not be able to register your vehicle in this state.

Reference:Health & Safety Code Section 43151(A)

When fees are due

Commercial vehicles and any vehicle owned by a California resident must be registered upon entry into California unless a special permit was obtained. Visitors whose vehicles are properly registered to them in their home state may operate their vehicles in California until they:

• Accept gainful employment in California.
• Claim a homeowner's exemption in California.
• Rent or lease a residence in California.
• Intend to live or be located here on a permanent basis (for example, acquire a California driver license, acquire other licenses not ordinarily extended to a nonresident, registered to vote).  
• Enroll in an institution of higher learning as a California resident or enroll their dependents in school (K-12).

Fees must be paid within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties.

NOTE: Nonresident military personnel stationed in California or their spouses may operate their vehicles with valid out-of-state license plates from their home state or the state where the military person was last stationed.

Fees must be paid within 20 days of entry or residency to avoid penalties.

Registering the vehicle

The following is required to register a nonresident vehicle:

1. An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) signed by all registered owners, showing the name and address of the lienholder (legal owner), if any.
2. Last issued out-of-state title, unless held by the lienholder/legal owner (This applies only if there is not a change of registered owner.)
3. Last issued registration certificate, if the applicant is the same as the registered owner shown on the out-of-state title and the vehicle entered California with valid out-of-state registration, or if the title has been lost.
4. Bill of Sale if the person from whom you are buying the vehicle purchased it from the registered owner shown on the title.
5. Odometer disclosure statement signed by the seller and buyer if the vehicle is less than ten model years old.
6. The vehicle must be inspected by an authorized DMV employee, law enforcement officer, or a licensed vehicle verifier. These inspections are most easily obtained by bringing the vehicle to the nearest DMV, where there is no extra fee charged for the inspection. For faster service, make an Appointment(s) .
7. Smog certification, if applicable
8. Weight certificate, if applicable
9. Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (REG 4008) form for commercial motor vehicles (pickups with unladen weight of 8,000 lbs. or less are exempt from this requirement)
10. Appropriate Fees

Change of ownership

If there is a change of ownership, the title must be signed by the seller(s) and the lienholder, if any. The vehicle's odometer reading must also be disclosed by the seller and acknowledged by the buyer. If the only change is the removal of the lienholder, a release of interest on the appropriate line on the title, or Lien Satisfied/Title Holder Release (REG 166) from the lienholder is required.

Lienholder has the title

If the title is not available because you are making payments to a bank, finance company, or some other lienholder who does not wish to surrender the title:

• Indicate the name and address of the lienholder on the application for registration.
  AND
• Show your name exactly as it appears on the out-of-state registration card, but show your California residence address. If a name change has been made, DMV will issue registration that shows the new name as "AKA” (also known as).

A nontransferable registration card will be issued (no California title issued).

Requesting a duplicate out-of-state title

If the title has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, a duplicate title must be obtained from the state that issued your out-of-state title.  You should submit an application for California registration while awaiting the duplicate title to avoid late penalties.

Weight certificate

A California public weighmaster’s certificate of the vehicle’s unladen or empty weight is required for trucks and pickups. This certificate may be obtained from many moving and storage companies for a nominal fee. Check your local telephone directory for the public weighmasters near you. A weight certificate is not required for:

• Trucks or pickups previously registered in California, when the prior California registration shows the empty or unladen weight, and the vehicle has not been modified to change the weight.
• Trucks or pickups with an empty or unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less, if the out-of-state certificate of title or registration indicates "empty, unladen, or shipping" weight, and the vehicle has not been modified to change the weight.
• Two-axle or three-axle trucks weighing 10,001 pounds or more. The estimated weight is required.
• Autos, trailers, and motorcycles.

Fees that may be due

The amount of fees that may be due depends on a variety of factors. An exact amount can only be calculated when you submit your application to the department. For an estimate, you may use the online Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator.

Registering a Vehicle From Out-of-State Checklist

HTVR 9 Online Version 04/20/2007