Just moved to California? California law gives you 20 days to register your out-of-state vehicle before penalties kick in. Here’s the complete step-by-step for getting your non-California vehicle legal on California roads.
When the 20-Day Clock Starts
Under California Vehicle Code §6700, you become a “California resident” for registration purposes the moment you do any of these:
- Accept employment in California
- Enroll your children in a California K-12 school
- File for the homeowner’s property tax exemption on a California home
- Get a California driver’s license
The clock starts the day any of these happen, not the day you physically moved.
What You Need to Register
- Out-of-state title (original, in your name)
- Current out-of-state registration
- VIN verification — required; we perform this on-site
- Smog certificate — required unless your vehicle is exempt
- California photo ID or driver’s license (or a verifiable California address)
- Proof of California insurance — must meet 15/30/5 liability minimum
- Weight certificate for pickup trucks over 8,000 lbs GVWR
What You’ll Pay
Total fees typically range $350–$700+ depending on your vehicle. Breakdown:
- Registration fee: $65
- Vehicle License Fee: 0.65% of vehicle’s California-valued market price
- CHP fee: $32
- Transportation Improvement Fee: $27–$192
- Title transfer fee: $15
- Use tax: 7.75% in San Diego County (only if you bought the vehicle within the last 12 months and paid no sales tax in the origin state; California credits any sales tax you already paid)
Active-Duty Military
Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active-duty military stationed in California can keep home-state registration and claim exemption from California Vehicle License Fee. Bring your orders.
Out-of-Country Vehicles
Foreign-market vehicles (imported from outside the US) require EPA and DOT compliance certification before they can be registered in California. Call us first to discuss.
Get It Done Same-Day
Walk into San Diego Auto Registration with your documents and we’ll have California plates on your vehicle the same visit. (619) 466-6647.
