Car Registration

When You or Your Car is New to California

Whether you just moved to the Golden State or just bought a car from out of state, you'll need to register it as a nonresident vehicle. This means following the registration procedures for a car that was last registered outside of California.

Make an appointment at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for registration and an inspection. Be prepared to:

• Fill out An Application for Title or Registration form. Remember to bring the name and address of the lienholder (loan company) if applicable.

• If you're just moving in-state with your car, you'll need to show the last out-of-state title (if you own the car outright) and the last registration certificate.

• If you just bought the car, bring the Bill of Sale. Both seller and buyer must sign an Odometer Disclosure Statement if the car is less than a decade old.

• Submit the car to an inspection.

• Pay a fee, which varies. Use this calculator to figure out what you'll need to pay.

• Possibly submit a smog certification. See below.

California's High Smog Standards

California has the strictest smog standards in the land. So if you bought a car from out of state, it will need smog certification. You may have to bring it up to standard before they'll let you register it. The California Department of Consumer Affairs has a link to find an inspection station in your county.

If you've just moved here with your new, federally-certified car that you already registered in another state, you're safe.

Changing Owners

If you become the owner of a car in California, even if Grandma gifted you her Olds, you must register and transfer the title into your name at your local DMV office.

Titling and Registering a New or Used Car

If you bought the car from a dealer, the dealer usually takes care of the titling and registration for you.

For a used car from a private seller, however, you're responsible for the title and registration paperwork. You should make an appointment at your local DMV office. To transfer the title and register the vehicle, you'll need:

• Application for Title or Registration

• The Certificate of Title OR Application for Duplicate Title

• Signature of the seller (and lienholder, if any) on the title.

• Signature of the buyer on the title

• Odometer disclosure if the car is less than 10 years old.

• Smog certification (depending on the car's age)

• Title transfer fee of $15

• Registration fee of $34

• Use tax (this can be in the thousands of dollars for newer cars)

• Additional applicable fees (use the calculator to see the breakdown)

Thanks to the state's Vehicle License Fee, use tax, and myriad smaller fees, your registration will usually come to quite a bit the first time you register.

The registration fee calculator allows you to enter your vehicle information and get a total for registration fees due. The calculator works for new and used cars, and those from another state.

If you lose or destroy any paperwork, license plates, or registration stickers, you may apply for duplicates by paying paperwork replacement fees. The DMV also has a list of miscellaneous fees that might apply to your registration.

Additional Registration Fee for Pickup Trucks

Since 1972 California’s DMV has classified pickup trucks as commercial vehicles, requiring all owners to pay additional registration fees based on the vehicle’s weight.

As of now the following rates, based on your pickup’s unladen (empty) weight, are as follows:

• Zero to 1,999 pounds: $8

• 2,000 to 2,999 pounds: $8

• 3,000 to 4,000 pounds: $24

• 4,001 to 5,000 pounds: $80

• 5,001 to 6,000 pounds: $154

• 6,001 to 7,000 pounds: $204

• 7,001 to 8,000 pounds: $257

• 8,001 to 9,000 pounds: $308

• 9,001 to 10,000 pounds: $360

Pickups with permanent sleeper shells are exempt.

Timely Transfer

You must title and register it with the DMV within 10 days of the sale. After the 10-day period, you will be charged a penalty for late registration.

At the same time, the seller has five days after the sale of a vehicle to file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability with the DMV. This protects the seller in case of an accident involving the vehicle before the new owner registers it.

Smog Certification

Every two years, most California vehicles will require updated smog certification, also known as emissions control certification. If your vehicle is between six and 30 years old, you will need a smog certificate. You can read more about the requirements in our article on required California smog and emissions checks.

License Plates

Regular license plates begin at $16. For additional fees, you may order specialty and personalized license plates for your vehicle when you register it in California. If you're disabled, you may apply for disabled person license plates or placards that grant special parking privileges.

Stickers

After you register, you'll receive a set of registration stickers (one for the month and one for the year). Follow the instructions on the stickers for proper placement on the license plate of your car.

When you renew your registration, you'll get just one sticker showing the upcoming year; place this over the previous year's sticker. You must have a current sticker displayed on your car, or you could be stopped and ticketed for an expired registration.

Non-Operable Vehicles

Got a non-operational car or truck parked in front of your house, or sitting in storage? It needs to be registered.

Filing for non-operational status must be done before your vehicle's current registration runs out. There is a box to check on the yearly registration renewal form that the DMV sends out. Check the box and return the form with a $17 Planned Non-Operational fee.

If you don't have a renewal form, you can fill out a Certificate of Planned Non-Operation and mail it in with the $17.

Registration Renewals

Each year, the DMV will send you a renewal notice. At this point, you will be required to supply the DMV with proof that you have car insurance. Depending on your situation, you may renew your registration in person at your local DMV office, by mail, or online.

• Renew in person: Stop by your local DMV office or call in advance to schedule an appointment to renew your registration. If you'll be renewing the registration exactly as is shown on the renewal notice, you will not need any additional paperwork. If you will be making changes to your registration, you might need some additional paperwork.

• Renew by mail: Simply follow the instructions on your renewal form to renew by mail. If you have lost the renewal notice, call your local DMV office to find out how to obtain a replacement.

• Renew online: Online renewal isn't an option for every vehicle owner; to qualify, you must meet the following conditions:

• Your insurance company reports electronically to the DMV.

• Your address has not changed.

• You can pay by credit card.

• You have a smog certificate on file with the DMV.

• You have no outstanding parking or traffic tickets.

• Before you begin the online renewal process, try perusing the DMV's FAQs.