How To Register Canadian Car In California

Rent a car for your travels in the u.

How to register canadian car in california. Vehicles must be registered in california within 20 days after you establish residency or you will be subject to late fees determined by the duration of delinquency. It s important to be aware of a few things during the import process. Buying a car in a foreign country is hard transporting the car can be a challenge. The car doesn t meet the epa regulations for emissions. How long do you plan to be in the u.

Motorcycles 3 or 3 4. Please be aware that some imported vehicles cannot be registered in california or in the u s according to the california health safety code 39024 6 43150 43156 43203 5 43600 and 44200 44210. If your car meets us emissions and safety standards you can apply to import it after entry into the us before the 1 year is up. And leave or sell the canadian car in canada. Why do you need to title and register your car in california.

Your car doesn t have a clear title showing that you are the owner and the vehicle isn t a salvage car. Check locally to see where your nearest car registration office is and make an appointment. There is only one practical solution. The vehicle manufacturer s united states representative has provided a letter of compliance that states the vehicle complies with all united states epa regulations. Your car will be inspected in order to get a new registration and ownership.

With the department of motor vehicles my earlier post was a bit off. If you need to register a vehicle for use on california roadways waterways or trailways you ve come to the right place. You must bring all your paperwork that was approved at the border. Many of the canadian vehicles are duty free. The car wasn t manufactured according to us nhtsa standards.

If you bought from a licensed dealer certain registration tasks may be taken care of for you. We ll be traveling from canada down to california and need to register our car there. Releasing it from the port is a long task and registering it with the dmv is no picnic. You will have to give these fees and will cost the same regardless of your vehicle s condition and purpose of use. Important considerations about importing a canadian car.