AppointI just moved to California. When do I need to register my car and get a smog check?
New California residents are expected to register their vehicles within 20 days of becoming a resident (for example, taking a job or renting a home here). Before you register a car from another state you generally need a passing California smog check, a VIN verification and your out-of-state title and registration. Smog tests from other states do not count. Electric vehicles, motorcycles and gasoline cars from 1975 or earlier skip the smog check.
Key facts
- Register within 20 days of becoming a California resident.
- Most out-of-state cars need a California smog check before their first California registration.
- A VIN verification can be done at the DMV, by the CHP or by a licensed private verifier.
- A car certified only to federal (49-state) emissions standards may not be eligible for California registration; check the label under the hood.
In order
- Smog check at a licensed California station. The result goes to the DMV electronically.
- VIN verification, often at the DMV office on the same visit.
- DMV visit with the out-of-state title (or lender information), registration, smog result and fees.
- Driver license: a separate step with its own documents and deadline; see dmv.ca.gov.
Read the full guide to registering an out-of-state car.
Next step
Find a smog check station in your California cityMoving to California: full guide