California Requirements for Registration
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 330
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From: Boston
2003 CL55
California Requirements for Registration
I have a 2002 CL 500 Sport I bought new in Sept and want to know if I can register the car in California. I took delivery in Boston and wonder if my car will meet the CA emissions requirements.
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 207
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From: CA
2014 E350, 2008 C300 Sport
As a californian, I know if you live in California you CANNOT buy a vehicle outside of CA that is less than 2 years old. CA DMV won't let you do it. But if you live outside of CA and buy a new/used car, I don't see why you can't register it if you move to CA. As for if it will pass CA emissions, hmm.. CA has stiffer tests but if the car was bought elsewhere, I believe they only test your car for that state's standard (or some other lower test standard than CA's).
Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 87
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
2003 Mercedes SL55
California registration
Wow, I've never read more misinformation about California registrations. LOL.
OK, here are some facts:
1. CA residents can buy cars out of state less than two years old. It's not a dictatorship here. If the car is less than 90 days old, I think you pay some of the state use tax that is due. Of course, once you're in California, watch out for that use tax.
2. You do not have to pay sales tax on the car. If the car is over 90 days old, you don't even have to pay the use tax, just the standard registration fee (which is quite high in California).
3. Your car needs 50 state certification. I believe all MB's, BMW's and Audi's are certified, but you need to check. I believe that there is sticker underneath the hood that states that it meets california emissions. If it does not, and cars older than 97 may not be, you have to submit some sort of bond to california until you dispose of the car. It's a lot of money.
4. You will need to pass california emissions. It's about $40 and takes about an hour. It isn't like your typical Easterner type of testing.
Make an appointment at DMV and your done.
It's not that complicated. And for you Californians who just posted, I prefer that the easterners stay on their side of the country, but we may as well get the story straight.
See the web site:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/newtoca/newtoca.htm
OK, here are some facts:
1. CA residents can buy cars out of state less than two years old. It's not a dictatorship here. If the car is less than 90 days old, I think you pay some of the state use tax that is due. Of course, once you're in California, watch out for that use tax.
2. You do not have to pay sales tax on the car. If the car is over 90 days old, you don't even have to pay the use tax, just the standard registration fee (which is quite high in California).
3. Your car needs 50 state certification. I believe all MB's, BMW's and Audi's are certified, but you need to check. I believe that there is sticker underneath the hood that states that it meets california emissions. If it does not, and cars older than 97 may not be, you have to submit some sort of bond to california until you dispose of the car. It's a lot of money.
4. You will need to pass california emissions. It's about $40 and takes about an hour. It isn't like your typical Easterner type of testing.
Make an appointment at DMV and your done.
It's not that complicated. And for you Californians who just posted, I prefer that the easterners stay on their side of the country, but we may as well get the story straight.
See the web site:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/newtoca/newtoca.htm
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: Boston
2003 CL55
Thanks for the information orangemarlin. I talked to a CA DMV rep yesterday who gave me basically the same info in your reply.
BTW, I got an '02 Guards Red C4S in Feb. and now that I am into Porsches again, after being out of them for a decade, I'm ready for a Speed Yellow TT X50. I did not know how much they had improved. Hope that your reservations about Easterners do not extend to MB and Porsche owners.
BTW, I got an '02 Guards Red C4S in Feb. and now that I am into Porsches again, after being out of them for a decade, I'm ready for a Speed Yellow TT X50. I did not know how much they had improved. Hope that your reservations about Easterners do not extend to MB and Porsche owners.
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