How To Register A Right Hand Drive Car In California
It is possible for a right hand drive rhd vehicle to be manufactured in compliance with the fmvss.
How to register a right hand drive car in california. Classic vehicles are emissions exempt and so you only require a valid safety certification and an insurance policy and then you can hit the pavement. It s a good conversation starter. Right hand drive vehicles are common in europe. In this section new registration. Importing a right hand drive vehicle.
Dealership purchase if you bought from a licensed dealer certain registration tasks may be taken care of for you. To register your out of state car in california start by locating your current title or registration and bill of sale to prove that you own your car. If you don t know where your nearest smog station is you can locate it at smogcheck ca gov. Buying a car in a foreign country is hard transporting the car can be a challenge. Driving a rhd in a lhd world now that you know a bit more about rhd vehicles you may be wondering what it s like to drive on the right side in a lhd world.
Handbooks learn the laws and rules of the road in preparation for your drive and knowledge tests. Here are a few things i have learned by driving a right hand drive car every day in southern california pros. At 25 years old a legally imported vehicle is fmvss exempt. When moving from out of state you re also responsible for registering your out of state car in california within 20 days of establishing residency. If you ve recently bought or been given a car and live in california you must first register it with the state and pay all necessary fees before you can legally drive it.
In order to be lawfully manufactured or imported for sale in the u s a motor vehicle must comply with all applicable fmvss issued by nhtsa. Next drive the car to your nearest smog station to make sure it passes california s emission regulations. As long as the car meets us safety standards and is properly registered there are no penalties or fees for driving a right hand drive vehicle. Easy parallel parking just look down and there s the curb. If you need to register a vehicle for use on california roadways waterways or trailways you ve come to the right place to find out all you need to.
Individuals that wish to drive an imported car with a right hand steering column must register the vehicle for operation within the united states. The process is relatively short and entitles you to legally drive the car just like any typical american automobile. Releasing it from the port is a long task and registering it with the dmv is no picnic. Home vehicle registration vehicle registration.