Buying an Out of state car in California?

Question

Hi
I just bought a 1998 Honda Civic EX from a person who had a Texas license plate on there. We are going to the dealer, so he pay the dealer off when i pay him, that in turn will allow the dealer to put the car in his name and then he will sign it off to me.

This person has had a California License plate, which he showed me, but he had been in Texas for a year and has not changed the plates when he came back.

Can someone give me step by step directions on what to do next with the DMV.

I would appreciate it, this is my first car. So i need your help

Thanks

Answer 1

“To find out whether a car or truck is California Certified, check the emission label under the hood… The label should read that the vehicle conforms to California regulations, or that it is legal for sale in California.”
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr29.htm

Registering a Vehicle From Out-of-State Checklist
● A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343).
● The out-of-state Certificate of Title (required for change of ownership).
● The out-of-state registration certificate (usually not required if the Certificate of Title is available).
● A vehicle verification by an authorized DMV employee. Bring your vehicle to your local DMV for verification of the vehicle's identification number. For your convenience, we recommend that you schedule an appointment.
● Commercial vehicles, including pickups, may require a weight certificate.
● California smog certification.
● Fees - the amount due depends on a variety of factors. An exact amount can only be calculated when you submit your application to the department. For an estimate, you may use the Online Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator.
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/checklists/outofstate.htm
Additional requirements if a transfer of ownership has occurred
● Bills of sale to establish a complete chain of ownership.
● An odometer mileage disclosure (if your vehicle is less than 10 years old).

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Answer 2

Take all the paper work and the Ca. plate and Tx. plate, or the numbers if he won't let you have both, to the Ca. DMV and they will advise you.

Answer 3

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL (DMV) DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES OFFICE, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER ANY AND ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU WILL BE GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION.