Moving to California: car title and registration costs
Moving to California with a car you own: title and registration come to about $334.00 for a $20,000 car you have owned over a year (estimate). Register within 20 days of moving (California Department of Motor Vehicles).
Tax on the car itself: $0.00 plus anything you fill in.
Estimate of government charges. The DMV or county office calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: moving to California · Different situation?
Every line for a new resident
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use tax on a vehicle bought less than 12 months before it entered California | State & local tax | you fill in | California Department of Tax and Fee Administration |
| Non-resident service fee (original registration of an out-of-state vehicle) | Registration & plates | $28.00 | California Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Registration fee (includes $3 Alternative Fuel/Technology fee) | Registration & plates | $76.00 | California Department of Motor Vehicles |
| California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee | Registration & plates | $34.00 | California Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Transportation improvement fee (TIF), by vehicle value | Registration & plates | $66.00 | California Department of Motor Vehicles |
| County/district fees (vary by county and city of residence) | Registration & plates | you fill in | California Department of Motor Vehicles |
| Vehicle license fee (VLF), 0.65% of value | Yearly taxes | $130.00 | California Department of Motor Vehicles |
Deadlines
- Transfer ownership into your name after buying (days): 10 days (California Department of Motor Vehicles)
- Seller files Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within (days): 5 days (California Department of Motor Vehicles)
- New resident registers an out-of-state vehicle within (days): 20 days (California Department of Motor Vehicles)
- California dealer submits fees without penalty within (days of sale): 30 days (California Department of Motor Vehicles)
Sales tax when you move
- Use tax on a vehicle bought less than 12 months before it entered California: No use tax if the vehicle was bought and first used outside California more than 12 months before entering. Registration fees (VLF, TIF, etc.) apply either way.
Checklist before the DMV visit
- Your out-of-state title (or the lender's details if there is a loan) and current registration
- Proof of insurance that meets the state's requirements
- Your new driver license or ID, and proof of your new address
- Odometer reading; some states also need a VIN or safety/emissions inspection
- Proof of sales tax you paid when you bought the car, if it was recent (several states credit it or exempt you)
After that: yearly renewal
See registration and title fees in California for the yearly cost.
Official tools: California DMV vehicle registration fee calculators (new, used, nonresident, renewal, VLF) · California DMV VLF calculator (VLF paid, for tax purposes) · CDTFA find a sales and use tax rate by address
Sources
- California Department of Tax and Fee Administration: Tax Guide for Purchasers of Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft: Vehicles
- California Department of Motor Vehicles: Registration Fees
- California Department of Motor Vehicles: VIRP Manual 3.020 City and County Fees
- California Department of Motor Vehicles: California Driver Handbook, Section 11: Vehicle Registration Requirements
- California Department of Motor Vehicles: Title Transfers and Changes
- California Department of Motor Vehicles: New California Resident Portal
- California Department of Motor Vehicles: VIRP Manual 12.045 Determining the Date Fees Become Due
FAQ
How long do I have to register my car after moving to California?
New resident registers an out-of-state vehicle within (days): 20 days, per California Department of Motor Vehicles.
Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to California?
No use tax if the vehicle was bought and first used outside California more than 12 months before entering. Registration fees (VLF, TIF, etc.) apply either way.
How much does it cost to register an out-of-state car in California?
About $334.00 for a $20,000 car owned over a year (estimate of title and registration).