How to Register an Out-of-State Car in California (Orange County)

To register an out-of-state car in California, you'll generally need four things: the out-of-state title (or the lender's information if there's a loan), a vehicle verification on DMV form REG 31, a California smog check for most gas, diesel and hybrid vehicles, and payment of registration fees and any use tax that applies. Most people finish the process at a DMV office, because the verification means someone has to look at the car.

New residents are expected to register promptly after moving. The DMV's guidance for new residents gives a short window (20 days is the commonly cited deadline), so check the current rule on dmv.ca.gov and don't let it slide. If you just moved to Irvine for a job, UC Irvine, or a military assignment, this guide walks you through what to expect in Orange County.

Before you book the DMV appointment

Get these together first. Missing paperwork is the main reason people need a second visit.

• Out-of-state title. If the car is paid off, bring the title. If it's financed, the lender usually holds the title, and the DMV will work with them; bring your loan account details and the lender's name and address.
• Current out-of-state registration, if you have it.
• Your ID and proof of your California address.
• California smog certificate for vehicles that need one (see below).
• Proof of insurance that meets California requirements. Update your policy to your California address. Rates often change when you move, so get a quote early.
• Payment for fees. Use the DMV Fee Calculator to estimate them. Registration costs are made up of several parts and vary by vehicle.

Step by step: registering your car in California

1. Get a smog check at a licensed California station, unless your vehicle is exempt. Vehicles new to California need one when they're first registered here, even if they passed inspection in your old state. Our guide on smog checks for cars coming from out of state covers emissions labels and what can go wrong.
2. Book a DMV appointment at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/ and use the office locator to choose a field office near you.
3. Complete the application for title or registration. The DMV website lists the current form, and staff can help at your appointment.
4. Have the vehicle verified (REG 31). A DMV employee checks the VIN, odometer and other details in person. In some cases, authorized verifiers or law enforcement can do this. Ask the DMV what's accepted for your situation.
5. Pay fees and any use tax. The DMV will calculate what you owe.
6. Get your California plates and registration card. Your California title is mailed later; titles usually arrive within 15 to 30 days.

Will you owe use tax on a car you brought from another state?

This is the question that surprises people. If you bought the car outside California and brought it here within a relatively short time, California may charge use tax, with credit possibly given for sales tax paid in the other state. If you owned and used the car for a long time before moving, use tax often doesn't apply. The details depend on the purchase date, when the car entered California, and where it was used, so check the rules with the DMV and CDTFA (https://www.cdtfa.ca.gov/) before you assume either way.

If tax does apply, it's based on the rate where you register the car. Irvine's rate is 7.75% as of October 1, 2026. Santa Ana's is 9.25%. Rates change, so check CDTFA's rate lookup. The Orange County used car sales tax guide has a city-by-city table.

Driving while you wait

Your out-of-state registration is still on the car while you get things in order, but don't push it. If it expires, or the DMV can't finish the registration because of a missing smog certificate or document, ask about a temporary permit. Our article on the California temporary operating permit explains when one may be available.

Special situations

Military members

Active-duty service members stationed in California may have different registration options depending on their home state. These are worth asking about at the DMV. One thing doesn't change: military service does not exempt a car from California smog requirements if the car is registered here.

Students at UC Irvine

Students sometimes keep their home-state registration while in school. Whether that's allowed depends on residency status, so check the DMV's guidance for nonresident students instead of relying on campus advice. If you take a job and become a resident, register the car.

Leased or financed cars

The leasing company or lender holds the title and needs to cooperate. Call them early. Some lenders need several weeks to send title paperwork to the California DMV.

Buying an out-of-state car from someone in California

If you buy a car here that still has out-of-state plates, you'll need everything above plus the seller's signed out-of-state title. The car needs a smog check and REG 31 verification before California will title it. A car that's already registered in California is usually a simpler transfer.

Should you sell the car and buy here instead?

Some people moving to Southern California find that their old car doesn't suit the new commute, or that the smog check or emissions label becomes a problem. If you're weighing that, buying a car that's already registered in California means a standard title transfer: signed title, smog certificate and bill of sale. Every car at Irvine Used Cars is smog checked before sale, and you can browse our current listings. For the general transfer process, see the California DMV guide for used car buyers.

Frequently asked questions

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

California expects new residents to register quickly. The commonly cited deadline is 20 days after you establish residency or take a job here. Check the current rule on dmv.ca.gov and book your appointment early, because time slots can fill up.

What is REG 31 and who can complete it?

REG 31 is the Verification of Vehicle form. It confirms the VIN, odometer reading and other details of a vehicle being registered in California for the first time. DMV staff usually do it at the field office; the DMV can tell you whether other verifiers are allowed in your case.

Does my car need a smog check if it passed emissions in my old state?

Usually yes. Vehicles new to California need a California smog check when first registered here, and inspections from other states don't count. Electric vehicles are exempt, and very old gas vehicles (1975 and older) and older diesels have their own exemptions.

Can I register an out-of-state car online?

Generally no, because the first California registration needs an in-person vehicle verification. You can often start parts of the process online and book your appointment there. Check dmv.ca.gov for the current options.

Do I need California car insurance before registering?

You need insurance that meets California's requirements, and the DMV checks for it. Tell your insurer you've moved to Orange County, and get a California policy or update your current one before your appointment.

Settling in

Get the smog check first, book the DMV appointment, and bring the car. If you'd rather start fresh with a California-registered car, call or text (516) 835-6141 to set up a test drive in Irvine.