Tom@TPC Racing

Hello,

I am potentially selling my 2007 GT3 to a California buyer and have a couple of questions for the California member here about registering a used purchase out-of-state car. I looked online for about half hour including navigating through the CA DMV website but unable to find info I need. I know the car must have the 50-state legal sticker on it and must pass OBD port plug-in test. Beyond this what is the actual registration procedure for a used out-of-state vehicle purchase? Is the safety inspection done by the state or by an independent shop?

Thanks in advance.

tq.3z

Tom you're super helpful and have been a valuable resource for me on more than one occasion so I'll spare you some research - its not going to be easy registering your car without a contact who can illegally get around the smog process.

So unless the buyer has a way to circumvent that reliably for the life of the cars ownership and registration in this state, its really unlikely he can operate the vehicle here.

Of course he can register in another state, pursue a PO Box or various means but that's entirely up to them.

If the car will pass smog (the hard part) all they need is the title and the 50 state sticker to register the car here. It's not any more complicated than that.

Tom@TPC Racing

Thank you! My car will pass OBD plug-in test. Is there a state conducted safety inspection to check air bags, seat belts, minimum tire tread, etc?

ky_gt3

Hey Tom -

I bought my GT3 out of state so I can provide some info. I bought from a dealer which is a much bigger pain since you must go to DMV. If the buyer has AAA they can register the car at their local AAA office instead of going into the DMV since this is PP.

The car will need to be smogged. In CA it is OBD and visual to pass. You're allowed to have only one of the like 6 readiness monitors show as not ready. No safety checks

Once that's done they'll need to take a copy of the title, smog certificate and fill out the reg 343 form at DMV or AAA
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/upload.../06/reg343.pdf

The last thing they will have to do is pay the registration and taxes

If they are financing the car they might need another form, but I can't remember what is and bring it to DMV or AAA

Tom@TPC Racing

Thank you very much @ky_gt3 !

FLT6SPD

You will also need to have a VIN verification done by DMV, CHP or a dealer that has a DMV person on staff.

The OBD-II test is getting tricky as of July 2020, they are now looking for tune files and they can match that by checksum values provide the the MFR, what is in the works though is soon they will be able to send you to the state ref to verify the vehicle if more than one flash is detected...Its becoming BS

cgfen

While true, this info may have been more appropriate via PM IMO.

ngng

no, we don't have "inspections" like other states. there are only two times time you will be "inspected":
- first is when you bring the car in. peace officer or dmv must verify the VIN. not sure on cars, but on my bike they checked the engine and frame.
- second is if you are sent to state ref after being pulled over: exhaust too loud, window tint, etc, etc

TahouHots

One more thing -- you will need to have your emissions sticker visible for the CA DMV, otherwise you can't do anything. I bought a 718 S from NYC and the sticker is under the engine cover, making it tough to inspect visually without some real work. So I ordered a duplicate sticker through my local dealer and stuck it on the door frame next to the other stickers. That worked.

DeviousDog

I just registered an out of state GT3 this week. As others have said you need a SMOG certificate and then you must take it for a VIN verification + a check of the emissions sticker. I took it to a licensed DMV agent (https://www.myargosinsurance.com/veh...istration.html) - never knew there was such a thing... Very straightforward

ngng

it's CA. they'll make money any way they can lol

Tom@TPC Racing

Thank you all for the info, Very helpful. You guys rock!

Robocop305

You need to move to Florida. You can basically register a battle tank and drive it on public roads.

bmw_e30

nothing is special about registering a car any car really in cali

get vin verified (http://www.asapvehicleverifiers.com/...onsServed.html)
register car at aaa/dmv

Protocav

Also, make sure the emissions sticker under the rear decklid says that it's a 50 state car, and not specifically excluded from CA. Then, like others have said it must pass readiness, visual, and smog. registration fees will be paid in CA. no other inspections like other states. CA doesn't care if it's safe...just non-polluting.