Do I absolutely have to register my car in CA if I'm transient?

[Rkstar71]

What if you have a CA drivers license and you are "renting" the car with the out of state registration from a friend ?
Could you just tell the cop that it's a rental and it'll be ok?

[Ultrarunner]

If you are not on title I don't see how they can make you register the vehicle.

If you are employed that still leaves the Driver's License.

I know students sent off to college with car's registered to their parents and out of State Plates... just make sure insurance is current.


Rentals... I have been asked to see the contract by Law Enforcement... keep it with you.

[HockeyMac18]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

For the most part where you live gets patrolled by the SAME cops. Out of state plates stand out. The "I only came here to visit" will only work maybe once or twice, before they write you a ticket.

I don't see the legal argument of changing registration if you're not going to be here the majority of a year. If anything, the home state would NOT want you to change registration as the car will be in that state the majority of the year. Unless you're suggesting something ridiculous like changing the registration of the car multiple times a year??

As I understand it, this is the situation the OP is in.

That said, if the OP's situation changes, and it becomes permanent - and the intent is that he/she will be living here for now on, then changing the car's registration makes sense.

[Ultrarunner]

California is very aggressive when it comes to collection... it is not unheard of for people to be billed years after leaving...

All of the Vehicle Code is online...

[HockeyMac18]

It's all based on how long you spend in the state in a given year. If you're here less than 6 months, then you don't need to register, in very basic terms.

OP, check this out:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1...s/howto/htvr33

Do I Need to Register My Vehicle?
A vehicle must be registered in California if it is based in California or is primarily used on California highways (located or operated in this state for a greater amount of time than any other individual state during the registration period), even if registered to a nonresident owner (CVC §4000.4).

Am I a California Resident?
You are considered a California resident if you are present in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis for 6 months or more in a 12-month period (CVC §516) and/or California is the state where:

• You are registered to vote.
• You are gainfully employed. Military personnel are not considered gainfully employed in California, even if they also hold a civilian job.
• Your place of business is located.
• Resident tuition is paid at a public institution of higher education.
• Dependents attend a primary or secondary school.
• Homeowner's property tax exemption is declared.
• Property is leased for use as a residence.
• Residence is declared to obtain a license, privilege, or benefit not ordinarily extended to a nonresident.
• Your current driver license was issued.
• You are determined to be a resident as evidenced by acts, occurrences, or events that indicate presence in the state is more than temporary or transient.

[likealady]

When I moved here I didn't register my car or get a CA driver's license until I got a FT job offer. I was driving around with an out of state car -same commute every week- for 4 or 5 months. Never got pulled over. A month or two isn't going to be a big deal, especially if you're a resident of another state only here for work temporarily.

[gone down south]

Took us about 6 months to get around to re-registering when we moved here, never had a problem or issue with it.

[Ultrarunner]

As mentioned... it is often driven by someone reporting... co-worker, neighbor, etc...

[SFBayBoomer]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

It's not just about the plate, but also about the drivers license.

Just so you know, if there is any emergency like an earthquake, a wildfire, a police action---anything that closes roads or streets---the fire or police personnel will NOT allow you to go to your dwelling without a California Drivers License which shows your address--- to keep out looky-loos or looters.

The address listed on our driver's licenses is our P.O. Box. where we receive all our mail.

The police would know based on our telephone number what our street address is, and that should suffice, I think. Let me know if that would or would not work.