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First Steps After Moving a Car to California: Taxes, Inspections & Insurance

Moving to California with your own car requires proper paperwork, payment of taxes and fees, passing a technical inspection, and obtaining insurance. Following these steps will help you avoid fines, legal problems, and additional expenses. In this guide, we will detail all the main steps, including recommendations from Xtreet for quick and safe car registration. 

1. Preparing documents for vehicle registration

Before bringing your vehicle to California, it is essential to gather all the necessary documents to avoid delays and issues at the DMV: 

  • Vehicle Title

Confirms your ownership of the vehicle. Without this document, registration is not possible.

  • Purchase agreement or leasing documents

Required to confirm the legal purchase or use of the car.

  • Insurance policy

Minimum — Liability Insurance, which is mandatory for car registration in California.

  • Proof of residence in California

 For example, a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement with your address.

  • DMV forms for the new owner and the transferred car

Correctly completed forms will help you avoid a second visit.
 

Tips:

  • If the documents are incomplete or incorrect, the DMV may refuse to accept your application or the process may be delayed for several weeks.
  • Online services such as Xtreet allow you to check the completeness of your documents before visiting the DMV, saving you time and hassle.

2. Paying taxes and fees

After moving to California, every car is subject to mandatory taxes and fees. These depend on the cost of the car, its type, and the owner's county of residence. The main components are:

  • Vehicle Registration Fee (VLF)

This is an annual tax on a vehicle, calculated based on the market value of the car. For example, for a car worth $20,000, the VLF may be around $200 per year.

  • Use Tax

A tax on the use of a car, which applies when importing a car from another state. It depends on the value of the car and the county tax rate. For a car worth $20,000, this tax can be around $1,000.

  • Plate Fee

A fee for a new license plate. If you are replacing old plates or introducing special plates (e.g., for commercial vehicles or personalized plates), the fee may vary.

  • County/District Fees

Local fees depend on the county and may include environmental taxes, road tolls, or special community support programs. The amount usually ranges from $50 to $100, but may be higher in some regions.

Calculation example:

  • Car worth $20,000
  • VLF ≈ $200
  • Use Tax ≈ $1,000
  • Local fees ≈ $50–$100
  • Total: $1,300–$1,400

Tips for savings and convenience:

  • Use online services such as Xtreet to pay fees — this allows you to avoid queues at the DMV and unnecessary commissions.
  • Check the exact Use Tax and local fee rates in your county, as they may vary.
  • Plan your budget in advance to avoid unexpected expenses when re-registering your car.
  • Keep your payment confirmation online and in paper form — this will help you quickly resolve any issues with the DMV.

3. Technical inspection and smog check

California is known for having some of the strictest environmental and vehicle safety regulations in the United States. After importing a vehicle into the state, you must pass several mandatory inspections before the DMV will accept your registration documents.

  1. Smog Check
    • Mandatory for cars older than 6 years.
    • Checks the level of harmful emissions and the vehicle's compliance with California environmental standards.
    • Without a successful smog check, the car will not be registered.
    • The test result is valid for a certain period (usually 90 days), so it is important to schedule the test closer to the date of submission of documents.
  2. Safety Inspection
    • Checks the car's main systems: brakes, lights, suspension, steering, tires, mirrors, and alarm system.
    • The goal is to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers on California roads.
    • Some counties may require a separate inspection for older or commercial vehicles.
  3. What to consider:
    • Registration is not possible without passing both inspections. The DMV will not accept documents if the smog check or inspection is expired or missing.
    • Plan your inspections with plenty of time to spare so that if you fail, you can fix the problems without delaying registration.
    • Use online services such as Xtreet to check the validity of your smog check results and get reminders about your inspection.
  4. Additional tips:
    • Before the smog check, check the engine, oil level, and other minor parameters — this increases the chance of passing on the first try.
    • Keep your certificates and inspection confirmations, as the DMV may ask for them during registration.
    • Additional environmental and safety standards may apply to commercial vehicles or special-purpose vehicles.

4. Car insurance

In California, every car that is to be registered must have minimum liability insurance coverage. This is a mandatory requirement of the DMV for legal use of a vehicle on state roads.

Mandatory types of coverage:

Bodily Injury Liability

Covers medical expenses and compensation for damage caused to other people in a traffic accident.

Includes cases where the driver or passenger of another car was injured due to your mistake.

Property Damage Liability

Covers repairs or compensation for damage to someone else's property (car, buildings, other property).

Provides financial protection in case of accidental damage while driving.

Additional insurance coverage (optional, but recommended):

Comprehensive Insurance

Covers damage from natural disasters, theft, vandalism, falling objects, fire, and other unforeseen situations.

Collision Insurance

Covers repairs to your car in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

Additional options may include roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, or uninsured motorist coverage.

Important tips before registration:

  • Verify that your policy is current: The DMV will reject your application if your insurance does not meet the state's minimum requirements.
  • Make sure the coverage is valid at the time of application.
  • Keep your proof of insurance: electronic or paper documents will be required for registration.
  • For new owners and those who have moved: if the car was brought from another state, make sure the policy meets California standards (for example, minimum liability limits: $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 for all injuries in an accident, and $5,000 for property damage — these are standard minimum requirements, but it is better to check the current limits).

Xtreet tip:

Online services allow you to check whether your insurance policy meets DMV requirements and even renew it if necessary without additional visits to the office.

5. Steps for registering your car after moving

Step 1: Prepare all necessary documents

  • Vehicle Title — proof of ownership of the car.
  • Purchase agreement or leasing documents — confirms the legality of the purchase.
  • Insurance policy — minimum liability insurance for California. Make sure the policy is valid and meets DMV requirements.
  • DMV forms for the new owner and the transported car — may include Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) and other specific forms.
  • Proof of residence in California — utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement.

Tip: Online services such as Xtreet allow you to check the completeness of your documents before visiting the DMV to avoid rejection or wasted time.

Step 2: Pay taxes and fees

  • Vehicle Registration Fee (VLF) — depends on the cost of the car.
  • Use Tax — tax on cars imported from another state.
  • Plate Fee — if you need a new license plate.
  • County/District Fees — local fees that vary by county.

Example: A car worth $20,000 may have a VLF of about $200, a Use Tax of $1,000, and local fees of $50–$100. The total amount is over $1,300.

Xtreet tip: Some fees can be paid online, which saves time and avoids queues at the DMV.

Step 3: Pass a smog check and safety inspection

  • Smog Check — mandatory emissions test for cars older than 6 years.
  • Safety Inspection — inspection of brakes, lights, suspension, and other safety features.

Important: Without a positive result, the DMV will not accept your registration documents.

Tip: Plan your inspection in advance to avoid delays in registration.

Step 4: Submit your application to the DMV

Online: through the official DMV website or services such as Xtreet. It's fast, convenient, and helps you avoid queues.

In person: at a DMV office. Advantages — you can immediately clarify non-standard situations (duplicate title, commercial vehicles). Disadvantages — queues and limited opening hours.

Tip: If you have a special type of vehicle (old, commercial, imported), a personal visit is sometimes required.

Step 5: Get your new registration and license plates

Once your application has been successfully processed, you will receive:

  • New vehicle documents — registration card.
  • License plates — standard or special plates.
  • Proof of payment — keep electronic or paper copies.

Tip: Keep your documents in your car to avoid fines for not having registration during a police check.

FAQ

1. How long do I have to register my car after moving?

 Usually 20 days from the date of moving to California.

2. Do I need a smog check for a new car?

 New cars are often exempt from smog checks for the first 6 years.

3. Can I transfer my insurance from my old state?

 Yes, but the policy must meet California requirements.

4. Can I register my car online?

 Yes, through the official DMV website or services such as Xtreet.

5. What should I do if my car already has technical inspection issues?

 You must fix all issues before submitting documents to the DMV.

6. Do I need to pay local fees?

 Yes, they depend on the county of residence.

7. Does the age of the car affect taxes?

 Yes, newer cars usually have higher VLF and taxes.

Conclusion

After transporting a car to California, it is important to immediately take care of paperwork, pay taxes, pass a technical inspection, and obtain insurance. Failure to follow these steps can result in fines, delays, and legal problems. Using online services such as Xtreet greatly simplifies the process, allows you to avoid queues, and control all stages of registration. Plan ahead, follow the instructions, and check your documents — and your car will be registered quickly, safely, and without unnecessary hassle.