✅ Updated May 2022

Here'southward the ultimate guide to registering your vehicle at the California DMV. We've simplified the unabridged process for y'all so y'all tin save fourth dimension.

What You'll Need To Register your Vehicle at the California DMV

📌 A completed Application for Title or Registration ( Form REG 343 ) including:

  • Signatures of all owners
  • Lienholder data (if applicable)

📌 Proof of vehicle ownership and mileage

  • Vehicle title, which must include odometer mileage if vehicle is less than 10 years onetime

📌Proof of vehicle insurance

📌Valid smog inspection certificate (if applicable)

  • Provided by seller
  • Valid if issued within by 90 days
  • Required if vehicle is more than than four years quondam
  • Not required if:
    • Previous owner renewed the registration (for ii years) within 90 days of the vehicle sale
    • Vehicle is hybrid or electric
    • Vehicle is gas-powered and made earlier 1975 or diesel-powered and made earlier 1997
    • Vehicle is a motorcycle

📌Out-of-state title and registration (if applicative)

📌$58 registration fee + $25 California Highway Patrol fee + Transportation Comeback Fee, which is assessed as follows, based on the value of your vehicle:

  • $25 for vehicles valued @ $0-$4,999
  • $l for vehicles valued @ $5,000-$24,999
  • $100 for vehicles valued @ $25,000-$34,999
  • $150 for vehicles valued @ $35,000-$59,999
  • $175 for vehicles valued @ >$60,000

You can also register your vehicle online here. Yous will need to provide your drivers' license number, a payment method and the last 5 digits of your car's VIN.

What Y'all'll Do

If you purchased your vehicle from a automobile dealership...

  • Stride one: Sit back and relax!  The dealership will handle all the registration paperwork and fees for you
    • Receive your temporary registration document from the dealership
    • Determine whether dealership too provides license plates; if not, visit the DMV to obtain them
  • Pace 2:  Receive your official registration certificate and registration stickers from the CA DMV via U.S. mail

If you purchased your vehicle from a private individual...

  • Step 1: Within x days of buy, visit your nearest CA DMV office ( optional: brand an engagement!)
    • Bring your vehicle - a DMV employee volition perform a concrete inspection and VIN verification
    • Provide required documents and ID
    • Pay the required fees
    • Receive your registration certificate, license plates, and registration stickers
  • Step 2: Make sure your registration stickers are properly affixed to your license plates
  • Step 3: Hit the road and drive!

Caveats and Exceptions

Request this total checklist, including caveats and exceptions, for complimentary by electronic mail:

More Questions?

📌 Visit our California DMV data page.

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