Do You Have To Have A California Driver's License To Register A Car

How to register car in California | Metromile

Whether you're ownership a new set up of wheels in California or moving to the Golden State with the car you have, you're going to need to register your vehicle with the state of California.

In this brief guide, acquire how to register a automobile in California and the next steps you need to take.

Why information technology's important to register a car in California?

In order to bulldoze legally, yous need your driver's license, auto insurance, as well as car registration. When you get pulled over, the officeholder typically asks for your license and registration. Put but, auto registration is non-negotiable and something you demand to practice if you want to drive in California.

Many states accept their own laws regarding car registration. In California, y'all must register your vehicle to be in good, legal continuing while on the road.

When y'all register your machine, you are tying yourself to the specific vehicle and location. When you register your vehicle, you will need to pay a registration fee.

How much does it toll to register a car in California?

In California, you'll probable pay the vehicle registration fee, plus a California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee, vehicle license fee, county fee, every bit well transportation improvement fee.

If you lot're wondering how much to register a car in California, information technology can depend on various factors. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), your registration fees are determined by:

Your vehicle type (e.one thousand., motorcar, motorcycle, etc.)
Your vehicle's buy price or declared value
When you purchased your vehicle or the date your vehicle entered California
The city and/or county you lot live in
The urban center and/or county your business is based in
The unladen or declared gross vehicle weight and the number of axles your vehicle may have
Whatever special license plates your vehicle may accept
Whether yous accept any unpaid parking violations or price evasion bond

The California DMV has useful calculators to evaluate what your prospective costs might be. Use the following tools to run into how much information technology might toll you to register a car in California:

New vehicle fee registration estimator
New resident fees (if y'all're moving to California from out-of-state)

Used fee reckoner (if yous buy a used vehicle that is new to you)

Who should register a car in California?

Auto registration is mandatory. If you program to drive a vehicle in California, you're going to want to register the car in California.

Some common scenarios that might require you to annals a automobile in California include:

You bought a new auto. Many dealerships can take on the registration responsibilities, merely you'll need to practise it yourself if non.
You buy a car from someone else in a "individual party purchase." In this case, you'll take 10 days to transfer buying, and the seller will need to report the sale to the DMV within v days of the sale.
If you moved from another state to California, yous'll need to update your vehicle registration within 20 days of establishing residency in the state.

Everything yous might need to register your car in California

Here is what you need to register a car in California if you bought a new car recently or moved to California:

For new cars, you lot want to fill out and submit an Application for Title or Registration (REG 343).
For used vehicles or cars registered out-of-state, fill out and submit an Application for Indistinguishable or Transfer of Championship (REG 227).
Certificate of Title with your signature, also every bit the signature of the seller (if applicable)
Payment for any transfer fees or use taxation, if applicable.
Other documents may be required by the DMV, depending on the situation.

If you end up buying a automobile from a private party, you may also need:

Smog certification
Odometer mileage
Bill of sale
Vehicle title

Proof of insurance requirements in California

California drivers need to accept proof of car insurance and keep information technology in their car at all times. You'll want to keep your insurance handy in your car, equally you'll need it if y'all get pulled over, get in a car accident, and when you renew your vehicle registration.

According to the California DMV, proof of fiscal responsibility (well-nigh frequently automobile insurance) is required for all cars in California, whether yous're driving or even if the car is just parked.

You lot can't just have any auto insurance. The California DMV requires specific coverage. In the state of California, your minimum liability insurance needs to cover:

$5,000 for holding damage
$15,000 for cases of injury or death to one person
$30,000 for cases of injury or death to more than than a single person

You must have liability insurance and not only comprehensive or collision coverage.
You lot can personalize your auto insurance coverage with Metromile. Many California drivers select higher limits or add additional coverage for actress peace of listen and to help protect their vehicle, finances, and wellbeing.

The bottom line

If you only bought a automobile in California or arrived (welcome!), you lot'll need to register your vehicle with the DMV. To drive or ain a motorcar in California, you'll also need to ensure yous have the right auto insurance coverage to be a safe and responsible driver.

Many drivers in California choose Metromile and salvage coin with pay-per-mile auto insurance.

Yous can download the Metromile app from your favorite app store to see if pay-as-y'all-go motorcar insurance is right for you. Ride Along™ is a free trial that will show you an authentic rate and how much y'all might salve with Metromile. Rates beginning at $23 per month plus a few cents for each mile you drive.

Melanie Lockert is a freelance writer, podcast host of the Mental Wellness and Wealth show, and author of Honey Debt. She's a cat mom to two jazzy cats, Miles and Thelonious, an amateur boxer, music lover, and needs coffee to role.