Purchasing Texas vehicle in California

[rally]

Hey everyone,

Been lurking for a while, so I figured I'd register and ask my question. I've found the links on the CA DMV page about registering an out of state vehicle, but I wanted to see if someone has gone through the process.

I live in California but the truck I'm looking at here in Socal has out of state plates. The person has the title, but doesn't have it registered here. Does anyone know if I have to pay backfees if it wasn't registered here in California? Is it going to be a nightmare trying to get the registration current, or does California not care about out of state registration when you register here?

Thanks everyone. Glad to be part of the forum.

[68bowtie]

i'm not sure about the back fees. i bought a truck from out-of-state and I had to take it by the DMV for them to verify the Vin number. That's the only issue I recall…

[dazza]

Try this, it's for vehicles last registered outside the state of California.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/FeeCal...esidentForm.do

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by rally

Hey everyone,

Been lurking for a while, so I figured I'd register and ask my question. I've found the links on the CA DMV page about registering an out of state vehicle, but I wanted to see if someone has gone through the process.

I live in California but the truck I'm looking at here in Socal has out of state plates. The person has the title, but doesn't have it registered here. Does anyone know if I have to pay backfees if it wasn't registered here in California? Is it going to be a nightmare trying to get the registration current, or does California not care about out of state registration when you register here?

Thanks everyone. Glad to be part of the forum.

This was a few years ago but my 60 pickup came from Arkansas and they made me take it to a smog station to be verified. The first place would not pass it because it had a 350 instead of a 283. I took it to another place and they passed it then the DMV verified the tag on the door jamb and issued a new title for it. It had not been registered in Calif. prior to me getting it.

[leddzepp]

All I needed was a weight certificate (I went to a place that had a grain scale). Had the Kansas title, No back fees on out of state vehicles, the DMV clerk verified the vin by the door jamb plate and the SPID. No other inspections, nothing about smog since it was a pre 76 vehicle.

[rally]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the info and thank you dazza for that link.

I've been thinking of buying a truck from Arizona, too, but wasn't sure how the back fees work. That's good to know there's no backfees on out of state vehicles.

Do you guys think the DMV would have an issue if the SPID was missing and the door jamb plate was gone? Just out of curiosity in case I find myself in that situation.

[haysonj]

Originally Posted by rally

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the info and thank you dazza for that link.

I've been thinking of buying a truck from Arizona, too, but wasn't sure how the back fees work. That's good to know there's no backfees on out of state vehicles.

Do you guys think the DMV would have an issue if the SPID was missing and the door jamb plate was gone? Just out of curiosity in case I find myself in that situation.

Probably not the spid but would definitely have a problem if the door tag is gone or altered

[jjlett69]

I had my truck shipped here to San Diego from my Uncle in NY. NY was a no title state, so registration card acted like a title. All i had to to do to register was bring in registration card, get the truck weighed ( Calfornia doesnt care if a classic vehicle or not has to be registered as a truck) pay sales tax (had Uncle gift it to me so i didnt have to pay), show proof of insurance. They read the door VIN to match NY registration card, and about 2 weeks later got plate and California title in the mail. Just make sure to have weight slip before going to DMV not to waste your time. I avoid DMV like the plague here in SOCAL, so use AAA if you have it or a private registration service if you value your time

[jjlett69]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

All I needed was a weight certificate (I went to a place that had a grain scale). Had the Kansas title, No back fees on out of state vehicles, the DMV clerk verified the vin by the door jamb plate and the SPID. No other inspections, nothing about smog since it was a pre 76 vehicle.

yeah what Leddzepp said...didnt see this till after i posted lol

[68bowtie]

yep that's right I forgot i had to get a weight cert too. the one I bought was also from Arizona.

[66clow]

All is correct, pay your reg. Fees, get weigh cert., and have vin verified at DMV. I think you have to go to specific verified weigh stations. On the web site I think it may link to some our Google them.

What part of LA you in?

[RedRoad]

Ive tried to get the AAA to do vin verification on the last 3 vehicles Ive purchased and they told me they will not do it so Ive had to go to DMV to get it done. It seems these days they will only renew registration.

[rally]

Why do you need to get a weight cert in ca? That just seems weird to me, but I'm sure there's a reason.

[66clow]

Originally Posted by rally

Why do you need to get a weight cert in ca? That just seems weird to me, but I'm sure there's a reason.

Pickup trucks are considered commercial vehicles in California