Gifted an out-of-state car....now what?

[orbframe]

Or just register it in a CA county that does not require smog checks. Areas around major metropolitan areas require smog checks. Most of northern CA and the valley does not.

You have to be a resident of those counties

 

[buellistic]

You can stick your own scanner or borrowed one in your port.
And the car will tell you if it's ready to pass...

 

[Shaggy]

Not sure I believe you on this one. I registered an out of state car in Chico and had to get it smogged before they would complete the transaction.

SMOG checks are required for all title transfers (unless PNO). Many rural counties do not require biennial SMOG checks.

My vehicles are all registered at my in-laws in Mendocino County for many reasons, one of which is the lack of SMOG checks every other year.

 

[Stoner]

You have to be a resident of those counties

Well, yea you do. Didn't know there was another way.

 

[DucatiHoney]

If I had fears about not passing I’d work harder at trying to by-pass the smogging. My mother in law lives in Cool, so it sounds like I have options.

 

[NorCalBusa]

If I had fears about not passing I’d work harder at trying to by-pass the smogging. My mother in law lives in Cool, so it sounds like I have options.

Is that a state of mind or a place? ))

 

[DucatiHoney]

It's a place--the state-of-mind aspect is subjective I suppose. :laughing

 

[DucatiHoney]

Car passed smog. I needed to get a new catalytic converter to do it, but I found a guy who did 'em cheap. Car is now aaaaaalmost registered. I got a notice from the DMV that the VIN needs verification. They're asking that I come in for the paperwork--I have no idea why they didn't just send it. Anyone ever get hit with this? Where's the best place to find someone to verify it?

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Doesn't the DMV handle VIN verification on-site? They do with bikes...

 

[DucatiHoney]

Looks like they can and they should have while we were there. They didn't, and so now we need to get it taken care of.

 

[Shaggy]

Your local CHP office should be able do them also if that’s more convenient. Some municipal police agencies will also do them.

 

[Butch]

I have stopped in the weigh stations on 680, 101 and 880 and had things taken care of no problem. Way easy.

 

[DucatiHoney]

I have a CHP really close, but not sure of their hours for this kind of thing. Never thought of the weigh station. Are they open 24 hours?

 

[295566]

I have a CHP really close, but not sure of their hours for this kind of thing. Never thought of the weigh station. Are they open 24 hours?

If you're a AAA member, your branch may do it. Call ahead.

 

[DucatiHoney]

Alas...not a member.

 

[auntiebling]

There are 3rd party verifies also. For a fee, and for a greater fee they'll come to you. Given that you're a professional person, the fee is likely worth it if you consider how much time you'll waste doing it the chp/dmv route

 

[DucatiHoney]

There are 3rd party verifies also. For a fee, and for a greater fee they'll come to you. Given that you're a professional person, the fee is likely worth it if you consider how much time you'll waste doing it the chp/dmv route

Yes, I'm down with 3rd party. I need to dig a little but it looks like these people pop right up on Yelp. Thanks! I had no idea this was a "thing"!

 

[DanvilleDSRider]

DH check out these folks http://www.calstatesmog.us/

 

[DucatiHoney]

Cool! I think the hubby’s gonna try his luck at the DMV around the corner from us on Saturday, but if it’s cray-cray maybe we’ll take a drive out to Lib-mo and get this VIN thing done... and do a little wine-tasting while we’re at it.

 

[tgrrdr]

Cool! I think the hubby’s gonna try his luck at the DMV around the corner from us on Saturday, but if it’s cray-cray maybe we’ll take a drive out to Lib-mo and get this VIN thing done... and do a little wine-tasting while we’re at it.

I registered and out-of-state vehicle last summer and the VIN verification at DMV was the least painful part of the process.