CALIFORNIA VEHICLE REGISTRATION, CA DMV TITLE TRANSFER, TAGS & STICKERS

CA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
California DMV Registration & Requirement

Although the Bureau of Automotive Repair is the enforcer and decision maker in terms of California's smog check program, ultimately your vehicle's smog check results are sent to and required by the California Department of Motor Vehicles in order to complete an initial California vehicle registration or CA DMV vehicle registration renewal process.

Here are car, truck, van, SUV, RV and motorhome registration requirements the CA DMV has put in place regarding vehicles operating in California, and their registered owners. You can download these registration forms online below.

STEP 1. HOW TO REGISTER A VEHICLE IN CALIFORNIA OR GET NEW PLATES

What do I need to register my car in California? What are the requirements and how do I get my vehicle's tags & stickers?

a1. California Vehicles - If you become the owner of a California car you must register and transfer the title into your name at your local DMV office. The following form will be required in order to complete the CA DMV Registration process. CA Registration Application

a2. Out of State Vehicles - Whether you moved to California or bought a car from out of state, registering with the California Department of Motor Vehicles will be required. The following document is required to register your vehicle in this state. CA Registration Application.

b. In both of the above cases, a vehicle in the title transfer process will also require a Bill of Sale between the seller and buyer, as well as a valid smog test. If you are purchasing a vehicle from either a used or new car dealership, they will prepare these registration documents for you.

c. California law requires a seller of a vehicle to provide the buyer with a valid Smog Check certification at the time of the sale or transfer in order to register a vehicle. Smog certifications obtained for the purpose of title transfer or vehicle sale, are good for 90 days from the date of issuance for California DMV registration purposes.

For the purpose of vehicle title transfer you can have your vehicle smog checked at any type of smog check station. Any one of these types of smog stations can perform a registration smog check; smog test only center, regular smog check center (also known as a Test & Repair smog check station) or Gold Shield (CAP) smog station.

For vehicle registration, a smog check is not required on a title or pink slip transfer if the vehicle's biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 60 days prior to the transfer date.

Also, smog certifications for vehicle registration or title transfer are not required for any motor vehicle that is four or less model years old.