Moving from CA with a New Car (registration & title questions) (sales, how much)

[HiRez]

Greetings,

I would like to get a new car while in CA (lower prices, larger selection) and move to TX with it.
Being a new car, there isn't a title that the dealer can sign and give me.
I understand I have 30 days to register the car in TX for which I will need the title, but it takes longer than 30 days to get CA title or license plates.
Can I drive in TX using temporary CA tags?
Will I end up paying sales tax in both states?

Thanks in advance

[10scoachrick]

Well, that 1500 mile drive will be a heck of a way to break in a new vehicle...or you will have to pay to transport it...no small change.

Texas will want sales tax of 6.25% or the difference between what you paid(if lower) and that amount.

I'm wondering what model you are looking at that wouldn't be well-represented on Texas dealer lots...and priced similarly. I follow a couple of marques on message boards and I don't recall anyone saying California is a bargain state for vehicle purchases.

[HiRez]

Thanks for your response, but I was asking for information on the registration/titling of a car, given the circumstances.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by HiRez

Thanks for your response, but I was asking for information on the registration/titling of a car, given the circumstances.

This is for one county; but it will get you started:
New Residents

[HiRez]

1500 mile drive is indeed a good way to break in a new engine since it is mostly highway driving as opposed to stop & go city driving.
My question is how to register a car while I am waiting for CA DMV to issue me the title and if I can drive in TX with temp CA tags.

[HiRez]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

This is for one county; but it will get you started:
New Residents

Thanks this has some useful info.

[sloppymeg]

We bought a van to move our family from GA to TX.

The GA dealership filled out all of the necessary paperwork to bring with us to TX. We had the temporary dealership tags for our entire drive and for several weeks after we arrived. There were a few bits of paperwork the dealership sent via FedEx/UPS once they received it and that's when I could get into the DMV.

I walked into the DMV here and they knew what to do with the paperwork. I did have to pay the sales tax HERE as the dealership in GA was aware it wouldn't be registered in GA. (I had conveniently forgotten that part with all of the rest of the move intricacies, so was a bit dismayed upon that remembrance.)

The one thing I didn't know and wasn't clear online was whether a safety inspection was necessary. The guys at the inspection place didn't know either. So I was a few dollars lighter unnecessarily since mine was a new vehicle. Live and learn.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by sloppymeg

The one thing I didn't know and wasn't clear online was whether a safety inspection was necessary. The guys at the inspection place didn't know either. So I was a few dollars lighter unnecessarily since mine was a new vehicle. Live and learn.

Pretty sure a 'new' vehicle purchased in another state must be inspected in TX. That was the case when we moved here in '08 with a vehicle just a few months off the showroom floor(literally off the floor as My Darling exclaimed: "Ooh!!! How much is that bluuuuuueeee one!?!?!?!" They DO look sparkly under the bright lights!!!

For those wondering...a new vehicle purchased in Texas gets a two-year inspection sticker at the dealer.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by HiRez

Can I drive in TX using temporary CA tags?
Will I end up paying sales tax in both states?

Yes on the paper plates - up to the expiration date. The sales tax - you pay the CA one, then pay the Texas, only if the OOS one was lower, up to the difference. Texas is 6.25%.

[HiRez]

According to TxDPS - Cost of Inspection smog check is not required for cars < 2 yrs. old, but safety inspection is required. You can opt for 2 year safety inspection at a discount ($23.75 vs. 2x$14.50) for new cars.