I just bought a S2000 that is coming from out of state. This is my first car purchase outside of CA. Just wondering if there are some experienced advices/clarifications on the process of registering an out-of-state car.

The car is not coming with any license plates (in that state, the plates stay with their owners).

I guess when I get it over here, I have to get it smogged. This requires that I drive around without plates and registration (at least not CA registration) since I need smog before registration can complete here in CA.
I also need to get a Verification of Vehicle form completed and signed. I think this is a VIN check. Do they do this at the DMV? Do you have to take it somewhere else to get this signed off before your appointment with the DMV?

Seems like a lot of going around to get this car smogged and verified while I have no plates on. But can't get plates unless I do these things first. Seems like a chicken-or-the-egg problem.

Anyone else bring a car from out of state and have gone through these things? How did it work for you? Just want to know what I should plan on doing once the car arrives here in CA.

Thanks for your thoughts and advice.

 

All you need to do is smog and take the car to the dmv for inspection. You can ask dmv for a temp tag which allow you to drive the car around.

 

So if I do not have plates, I should just drive the car to smog and hope no one pulls me over? Or can you get that temp tag before you smog (perhaps before the car arrives in CA) so that when the car arrives, I have a temp tag that I can use to get to the smog and DMV.

 

Yes, you can go to the DMV and ask for a DMV temporary use tag to go get smogged. I brought my Honda Fit and S2000 back from Texas and they just gave it to me when asked so that I can do the necessary actions for registering the car.

 

Thanks for the info. So you went to the DMV to get this temporary tag. Then went and did your smog, etc. Then went back to DMV to do the actual registration?

Do you remember what you needed to have to get the temp tag? Do they need to see the car or can I go and get the temp tag while the car are being shipped over?

 

I was already there going to get my CA drivers license back (changing from TX) and I asked about registering my cars. They said since it had Texas plates, the people there signed off on a small sheet (they look like these) https://www.reddit.com/r/DMV/comment...its_something/.
I didn't need to show them the car or anything.

 

Thanks. This is helpful. Do you know if they gave you a temp tag because you had Texas plates? My car will not come with any plates. The car is currently registered in PA though. Plates stay with owner in that state.

I might head down to DMV tomorrow, but lines can be long so I want to know whether I "qualify" for this temp tag before heading down there. Thanks.

 

I am not sure. You'll probably need this temp paper just to be safe. You can usually ask the attendant in front your request and they might be able to help you first before needing to stand in line for detailed requests.

 

Smog it first , then bring it the car to AAA for inspection, they will give u take your old plate and give u new California plate, and pay the fee. That’s all. I bought the car from Seattle ,wa by the way

 

Would definitely recommend doing the registration with AAA if you have it. I think you might be able to get temp plates from them also? But you can definitely get the actual plates from them right away, which better than having to wait for them in the mail.