Purchasing a new CA auto out-of-state

[boardsNbikes]

Today's stupid question is...

I may want (need) to purchase a new auto/suv/truck in Vermont* but with California emissions, taxes and registration. Is such a thing pure folly? Can't the VT dealer simply fill out the CA paperwork and pay the fees?

* I have a storage room full of things in VT that need to be moved and/or towed to CA. Planets are aligning: I'm in the market for a new vehicle, I will be in the Northeast in May, and would prefer to avoid the cost and time of a trans-continental trip.

 

[Ignacio]

Your state seems to have this specific law that they will not let bikes be licensed in the state that are new and purchased from other states. They must be used with more than 7500 miles on them. See here.

BTW, often discussed on this board. Might want to try Search a bit.

 

[boardsNbikes]

Your state seems to have this specific law that they will not let bikes be licensed in the state that are new and purchased from other states. They must be used with more than 7500 miles on them. See here.
BTW, often discussed on this board. Might want to try Search a bit.

But I was asking about "auto/suv/truck", not bikes. I've already researched through the bike restrictions in the past (e.g., 8500 miles min, 2/4 stroke issues, title, blacklisting).

 

[twowheelnut]

If the vehicle is tagged as a Cali cert'd vehicle, then you should be good to go. The proper info is printed on the emissions sticker located on the vehicle. The only thing that you'd hafta square up is the sales tax and doc fees.

Linky

 

[boardsNbikes]

If the vehicle is tagged as a Cali cert'd vehicle, then you should be good to go. The proper info is printed on the emissions sticker located on the vehicle. The only thing that you'd hafta square up is the sales tax and doc fees.
Linky

I checked that handy DMV fact sheet but check out their cryptic paragraph:

What Is Considered a New Vehicle?
California law considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer when acquired by a California resident or business to be a new vehicle. This holds true whether or not the vehicle has been registered in another state. If you acquire a new vehicle from another state, you may not subsequently drive it to accumulate over 7,500 miles to circumvent the law. DMV cannot accept an application to register the vehicle, and you cannot register or operate the vehicle in California.

My summary: you cannot buy a new automobile (0.0 on the odometer) in another state and bring it to CA.

When dealing with the CA DMV I've learned that any logical or reasonable action is not necessarily a legal action to the agency. Add to this fact that the DMV is not compelled to answer my legal question and if it does, it is not legally binding.

 

[Rogue]

Well if you have family in VT you could buy it and title it in their name then have them "Sell" it to you after you put 7,500 miles on it. Thats the only way I know of to get around it. BUT you may have to pay sales taxes on it when you transfer it to your own name.

 

[Toecutter]

If it's a 50-state vehicle, no problem. Just make sure it has a CA emissions compliance sticker on it.

 

[twowheelnut]

My summary: you cannot buy a new automobile (0.0 on the odometer) in another state and bring it to CA.
When dealing with the CA DMV I've learned that any logical or reasonable action is not necessarily a legal action to the agency. Add to this fact that the DMV is not compelled to answer my legal question and if it does, it is not legally binding.

If you have it in writing from the proper authority in the DMV, it is legally binding. There's no maneuvering on that. Now, the State Board of Equalization, is a wholly different animal that you'll have to overcome.

And you left off the fore and after notes around your DMV quote:

Aren’t All Vehicles California Certified?
Not all new vehicles are manufactured to be sold to California residents or businesses. Many manufacturers make vehicles to be sold in the other 49 states. These vehicles (49-State) are made with smog equipment that meets federal emission standards, but not California standards. 50-State or California certified vehicles are made to be sold to California residents.

What Is Considered a New Vehicle?

California law considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer when acquired by a California resident or business to be a new vehicle. This holds true whether or not the vehicle has been registered in another state. If you acquire a new vehicle from another state, you may not subsequently drive it to accumulate over 7,500 miles to circumvent the law. DMV cannot accept an application to register the vehicle, and you cannot register or operate the vehicle in California.

Exceptions

As usual, there are a few exceptions included in the law. As a California resident or business you may be able to register a 49-State vehicle if you:

* Obtained it as part of a divorce or inheritance settlement.

* Purchased it to replace a vehicle stolen while you were using it out of state.

* Purchased it to replace a vehicle which was destroyed or made inoperative beyond reasonable repair while you were using it out of state.

* Were on active military duty outside California, and you registered the vehicle in the state of your last military service.

Having said that, I still wouldn't think it's worth the effort, legal or not.