I would like to ask a question of anyone who lives in California who has purchased a car out of state and try to get the ***le transferred into California. On an older car like 65, 66, 67, is California going to require a smog check on that car?
I had done that several years ago. You need to have a ***le for the car first off. There will then need to be a VIN verification at either AAA or DMV. Probably best to call at least one of the two to find out for sure, the laws may have changed by then. CA requires smog on ‘76 (I think) and newer vehicles, so you should be OK there. Best of luck
About 10 or so years ago I purchased a Ford '40 1 1/2 ton cab and ch***is in OK. The OK ***le was signed off and notarized. Back in CA I got a certified weight slip and had the vin verified by my son's soccer coach who was a local chief of police. I took everything to the AAA and paid the fees for a ***le only transfer. Received the certificate of ***le in the mail about a month later. Things may have changed since then but when I did it it was straight forward and easy to do - but then I never set foot in the actual DMV office.
And then there are the knuckleheads behind the DMV counters...back in the early 90’s I went to put a 32 Dodge PU in my name, after 25 minutes of typing I get a print out for the requiremen Weight check Serial number verification Smog Check Huh? I ask smog check? “ I must have made a mistake” person says. I ask to redo the paperwork. “I can’t, it’s in the system now” I still have that little print out somewhere, I had to go to the BAR to get the smog check waived and an exempt on it Anyway, thought I’d share
I bought my Model A from out of state. Mine came with an out of state ***le, since it was out of state I need to visible vin numbers to get it registered which mine had.
I bought the Lark from AZ a few years ago. It was currently registered, running and driving. I went to the DMV with the AZ ***le, put in my name and received new plates.....no smog, no inspection, just money paid. I went back later with YOM plates as I can’t stand new white plates. Oh yeah, you need insurance first if your going to register it and not just a ***le swap.
Your profile doesn't list where you are but if you rather not deal with the DMV especially with all the problem with getting an appointment due to Covid there are private ***le services through out the state that could help. I used one when I bought a '54 Ranch Wagon with a bill of sale only. The woman who owned the service handled everything. I never set foot in the DMV. If all your paperwork is in order you should be able to handle it yourself. But if you're worried the private ***le people are an option.
There is no smog check for vehicles 1975 or older. There is no safety inspection, either. Where in California? AAA can do DMV paperwork in California, if you have a private verifier check your numbers. Well worth the membership price. Short lines, too.
Having all your paperwork in order is the most important factor. Be sure that the vin# matches the ***le exactly. You can download the vin verification form and take it to the highway patrol office (make an appt.) before going to the DMV; this might save you an extra trip. If you want to put vintage plates on it find a pair and confirm that they are "clear" (not still ***ociated with another vehicle). They must be from the exact year your car is registered as and will be examined in the office for condition. This is a bit subjective but I've found the DMV personnel to be pretty reasonable; they just want to confirm there good enough to read easily. Also, be polite. These people deal with the public all day long and it only takes one jerk to make them uncooperative. If someone in front of you is har***ing the clerk move to another line. the Ca DMV is backlogged and the workers are stressed but most will try to help if you give then the chance.
I would have gone to the smog inspection facility and with a straight face asked them to check the truck. No doubt the inspector would be very confused, probably his books didn't go back that far.
Sorry, by inspection I meant VIN verification. I had the ***le and the AZ plates, they didn’t need to see the car at all. BTW, AAA can’t do YOM plates. I just renewed my license and wasn’t too bad, took about 3 hours. Stood in line, waited in my car (they text you when it’s your turn), wait in line again and was done.
They legally need to see the car. That, however, does not stop the counter person from simply signing off that they saw it, without seeing it.
True...the only way the DMV should issue a new ***le without the car, is if you get the VIN verified by a bonded private service. The form can be downloaded on the CA DMV site. Ask me how I know.
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