MOving to CALI....how long do you have to title your car ??

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
4,940
0
0
So I'm heading to Cali in a couple of weeks.
Planning to live there at least a year to see if I like it or not.

I just renewed my tag here in Florida.
So can I pretty much keep my Florida tag for a yr until I have to renew it ??

Kinda new at this since I've been living in Fla all my life.
CALI experts help a brother out.
 

DingDingDao

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
3,044
0
71
You should be able to keep your FL tags until they expire. My old roomie registered his car in AZ before he moved out here for school, no probs.
 

Dulanic

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2000
9,969
592
136
Offically not long hehe, but I moved to TX for like 9 months and never changed my plates or liscense over to TX. Was never pulled over or anything, and if I ever was I was going to say I just moved there.
 

ShowdOWN

Golden Member
Sep 25, 2002
1,361
0
0
you probably want to hold on to your Florida plate as long as you can. when you register the car in Cali you will pay sales tax on the current value of your car.
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
You have 20 days.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm#BM2558

Viper GTS

Among ppl I know nobody seems to care. Plenty of cars at colleges that are registered out of state.

I've been wondering that lately myself, I'm currently employed in PA & have yet to register the truck I drove out here, or switch my driver's license over (been here three months). I've purchased a vehicle here (and registered it here), but I've been in no hurry to get everything else switched.

Viper GTS
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,155
635
126
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: Viper GTS
You have 20 days.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm#BM2558

Viper GTS

Among ppl I know nobody seems to care. Plenty of cars at colleges that are registered out of state.

I've been wondering that lately myself, I'm currently employed in PA & have yet to register the truck I drove out here, or switch my driver's license over (been here three months). I've purchased a vehicle here (and registered it here), but I've been in no hurry to get everything else switched.

Viper GTS

Is your official residency in PA or CA? I think if it stays out of state, you can keep the CA plate.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,586
986
126
Originally posted by: ShowdOWN
you probably want to hold on to your Florida plate as long as you can. when you register the car in Cali you will pay sales tax on the current value of your car.

You don't have to pay sales tax on the car if it was registered in another state. Just the registration fee and a small fee for the plates. Oh, you'll need to get it smogged prior to getting your plates.

A cop may pull you over if he thinks you might be a resident and haven't registered your car and they can cite you for this. Not many people drive here from FL for vacation so chances are you would get hassled at least once if you don't register your car here.

Edit-If you live in an area with a military base nearby you will see loads of out of state plates (like San Diego). Active military personel are exempt from the registration rules and can keep their out of state registration.
 
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
in va your neighbors will call the cops on you if they think you arent getting your car registered. we pay a yearly car tax and if you dont register here, you dont have to pay. of course if you LIVE here you aer supposed to register, and they make sure you do....

dont know about cali tho. i would just follow the rules.
 

pulse8

Lifer
May 3, 2000
20,860
1
81
I believe students have different rules to abide by than residents.

Although, I know people here in LA that have been here for 10+ years and still have out of state plates. It only becomes a problem if you get pulled over, though.
 

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
4,940
0
0
I know the law, you have to registered as soon as possible but I'm trying to hold out as much as I can.

I'm thinking I can drag this out to a year and if I end up staying in Cali after that, I can start changing things.
I'm about to renew my insurance too and I think I will renewed it still being in Florida.

If I get stopped or anything like that, I can always say I'm visiting(which like someone said not probable) or I can say I just moved here.
Same thing if I get into an accident ot something.

Only complication is if they find out that I've been working in Cali for a while.

Anyone else moved to another state and kept their old info for as long as they can ??
 

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
4,940
0
0
Originally posted by: neovan
Originally posted by: CTrain
Originally posted by: phreakah
if i may ask... where in ca are you moving to?

Sacremento :)

my condolences

Why ??
I've visited Cali over 10 times and I love it there.
Close to the ski resorts, gambling, beaches, no humidity....whats not to like ??
My brother lives in Elk Groove which is a nice area in Sacramento.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,586
986
126
What kind of car are we talking about here? The registration fee is based on the value of the car. If you have a 3-4 year old or older econo box then you won't pay much more than it would cost elsewhere. If you drive a new 7 series BMW on the other hand it will cost you easily a few hundred dollars.
 

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
4,940
0
0
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
What kind of car are we talking about here? The registration fee is based on the value of the car. If you have a 3-4 year old or older econo box then you won't pay much more than it would cost elsewhere. If you drive a new 7 series BMW on the other hand it will cost you easily a few hundred dollars.

Its a 99 Cicvis Si ricer :)
I don't want to go through all the changes if I end up only living there for a yr.
 

ucdnam

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,059
0
0
I've seen commercials telling people to call in cars that they believe are not being registered here in California. I assume cops also target these more often than registered ones? Just a guess.
 
Dec 27, 2001
11,272
1
0
Originally posted by: CTrain
Originally posted by: neovan
Originally posted by: CTrain
Originally posted by: phreakah
if i may ask... where in ca are you moving to?

Sacremento :)

my condolences

Why ??
I've visited Cali over 10 times and I love it there.
Close to the ski resorts, gambling, beaches, no humidity....whats not to like ??
My brother lives in Elk Groove which is a nice area in Sacramento.

I love living in the Sacramento area. Good choice.