Registering an out of state bike with CA DMV

[dcarver]

Recently experienced the joy of registering a 49-state out-of-state bike (AZ) with the state of CA. Not too bad, really, but know that you need to:

1. Take the bike to DMV or AAA for inspection which consists of:
   Locating the VIN number in two different locations
2. Locating the Federal emissions label
3. Locating the engine serial number. Note that AZ does not require engine SN on the title
   

[*]Have a bill of sale and signed title

[*]If not a CA emissions bike, e.g. a 49-state bike, mileage has to be >7,500 miles (I'm not positive about that statement.. but am positive that if it's a 49-state bike the mileage has to be greater than 7,500)
Surprisingly enough, there were some points of contention / confusion regarding the inspector and the VIN numbers in two different locations. On the 2013 at least, the VIN is stamped into the frame on the steering head neck. Right next to the stamping is a sticker containing the VIN and other info. The inspector was reluctant to accept these two different identification methodologies as being in 'two different locations' as both were on the neck. I stood back and watched as she looked for a good 10 minutes before giving up and accepting it as valid.

The Fed emissions label is located on the top of the rear fender. That took a little while to find.

The engine serial number was a piece of cake.. RHS, rear. Easily visible and read.

Then there's the matter of paying the sales tax, out of state penalty, tags for a year. It cost me $995.

Since the bike had no license plate, I took all back roads to AAA.. and saw 5 LEO's!

No one noticed, no harm no foul!

So there it is..

Edit to correct total price!

 

[bigjohnsd]

$9,995 in sales tax and fees?

Or was that $99.95? Or $$999.50

 

[Bugnatr]

99.50 in ca?

Hell my 2000 KLR is 70 bucks a year just for the tags.

My guess is 999.50 or else it was the only FJR built with unobtanium parts.

 

[dcarver]

LOL, my bad. 995 USD.

 

[FJRay]

my brand new 2015 Spyder was 190.00 for four years in Oregon and NO sales tax.

We do get screwed in other ways but not bad.

 

[El Toro]

Then there's the matter of paying the out of state penalty

I probably missed something. What is the "out of state penalty"?

We just show up at the county clerk's office with our checkbook, MSO or Title, and bill of sale. They don't look at nuthin'.

We have tax, tags, title fee ... Our tax is high compared to many states. But the other fees are low.

But I have no idea what the "out of state penalty is."

 

[dcarver]

Then there's the matter of paying the out of state penalty

I probably missed something. What is the "out of state penalty"?

We just show up at the county clerk's office with our checkbook, MSO or Title, and bill of sale. They don't look at nuthin'.

We have tax, tags, title fee ... Our tax is high compared to many states. But the other fees are low.

But I have no idea what the "out of state penalty is."

It's the fee you pay as a Kali resident with balls big enough to bring in a out-of-state bike.

...and no political rants anyone! I'm just stating the facts of what it takes to accomplish the task.

Thank you,

the management

(Iggie will love me for that part!)

 

[El Toro]

Thanks. I thought maybe "the out of state penalty" might be a euphomism for something else.

Well, I remember flying into LA in the 60's and seeing the brown ceiling, so I know they had good reason to clamp down on emissions.

Sigh...

I'm glad you were able to get the bike through all the hoops.

 

[user 31223]

When I registered my Washington state suzuki burgman in Cali, they only needed one stamped vin. Wouldn't accept it unless stamped on the frame.

The first guy wouldn't accept the engine s/n cos he couldn't see it directly, another inspector walked past took a photo of the s/n with a camera and showed it to the first guy and said there you go !

Pretty painless really.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Good for you DC. Moving into Cali in the 80s & 90s, I don't remember it being too much of a hassle. The cost you listed isn't that far off from what WA charged me to bring in my new '15 from AZ.

The way I figure it, it costs XXX to run the state and one way or another they're going to squeeze the $$$ from the residents.

Have fun farkling Naomi...you're going to love the GEN III.

--G

 

[CAJW]

I had written a detailed account of my experience in registering a 49 state FJR from AZ to CA, but I'd probably be spanked/banned for PC violations, so I'll just note the lessons learned. As Don noted, know where you frame and engine #s are and be sure to get a DMV inspector dressed in attire to be able to kneel down to read said numbers. ( this us where the rant would start) If at all possible, when you acquire the needed 7500 miles to be able to register in CA, be sure it will be at least one year since the purchase date. I had the bad luck in visiting the DMV two weeks prior to the one year anniversary of the new purchase date in AZ and had to pay an additional $100+ in sales tax differences between AZ and CA. After all was said and done as I was leaving the counter with elevated BP, the clerk informed me of the fact if I'd registered it two weeks later, I'd have saved that fee. ( Insert enlightened Sigh here....)

Edit: above concerns fees when moving to CA with an out of state bike, don't think you can avoid any fees if you're already a CA resident.

 

[puppychow]

I bought my 49 state 2005 FJR from Nevada into California, it had 14,000 miles. Had no hassles with DMV. The inspector only checked the VIN in the easiest accessible place, mostly just went by whatever I put down on the form, and bill of sale etc. (although, I double checked everything beforehand).

 

[art miller]

Here is another method that may avoid some of the CA fees. I bought a 1995 Yamaha Virago 1100 from my nephew who lived in NC. The bike had only 550 miles on the clock. Knowing it would be a problem bringing it into CA, I had the title and registration changed over to my name and his NC address. I had to pay the NC fees which were far less than CA. I rode the bike to my mother's home in PA and stored it there until the spring. I had it shipped from PA to CA and took it to DMV for CA registration. No hassles just had to pay CA title and registration fees. No sales tax or out of state hate fees. For CA buyers, you may want to consider OR for buying a new bike. They have no sales tax and registration fees are very cheap. You will need to have a friend in OR who will let you use their address for title and registration. You will have OR plates so ride the bike until you have 7500 or more as well as the keep the OR registration until you have met the time requirement. Avoid getting the attention of LEO who will question OR registration and CA drivers license!!

 

[TomInPA]

I registered my FJR from Nevada in CA, but had to pile on some miles first. The bike only had 5800 miles on it when I picked it up in December in Reno. I rode it across Donner Pass, then proceeded to put 2500 miles on in 3 weeks in December and early January so I could register it January 17 with 8200 miles on the clock. It was a 49 state emissions bike, but they didn't locate the sticker and called it a 50 state bike which saved a few dollars. Like Don, I owed substantial sales taxes and initial registration fees. I forget the amount, but I'm pretty sure Don managed to pay more.

Enjoy the ride Mr. Carver! You paid for it.

 

[YummYam]

Many hoops to jump through. Seems less hassle to bring it in from another country!

(tongue firmly in cheek)

 

[palerider]

Many hoops to jump through. Seems less hassle to bring it in from another country!

(tongue firmly in cheek)

I've been noodling the idea of buying a British 2016 ES/AS so I could get the auto-clutch, driving it around Europe for a year and putting on 7501 miles, then shipping it to CA and registering it here. One of these days I will do the research and post it.

 

[TomInPA]

Many hoops to jump through. Seems less hassle to bring it in from another country!

(tongue firmly in cheek)

I've been noodling the idea of buying a British 2016 ES/AS so I could get the auto-clutch, driving it around Europe for a year and putting on 7501 miles, then shipping it to CA and registering it here. One of these days I will do the research and post it.

You're a brave man. Not only will you deal with U.S. Customs, Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, DOT, and EPA; but California and CARB as well. This will be book-worthy. But first, be prepared to travel in Europe for 2-years https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcmath:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch12/ch12_15

 

[palerider]

Many hoops to jump through. Seems less hassle to bring it in from another country!

(tongue firmly in cheek)

I've been noodling the idea of buying a British 2016 ES/AS so I could get the auto-clutch, driving it around Europe for a year and putting on 7501 miles, then shipping it to CA and registering it here. One of these days I will do the research and post it.

You're a brave man. Not only will you deal with U.S. Customs, Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, DOT, and EPA; but California and CARB as well. This will be book-worthy. But first, be prepared to travel in Europe for 2-years https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcmath:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch12/ch12_15

Holy crap! Thanks (I think). I can do one year, but I'm not sure about two years driving around Europe.

 

[art miller]

Many hoops to jump through. Seems less hassle to bring it in from another country!

(tongue firmly in cheek)

I've been noodling the idea of buying a British 2016 ES/AS so I could get the auto-clutch, driving it around Europe for a year and putting on 7501 miles, then shipping it to CA and registering it here. One of these days I will do the research and post it.

You're a brave man. Not only will you deal with U.S. Customs, Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, DOT, and EPA; but California and CARB as well. This will be book-worthy. But first, be prepared to travel in Europe for 2-years https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1dmy&urile=wcmath:/dmv_content_en/dmv/pubs/reg_hdbk/ch12/ch12_15

Holy crap! Thanks (I think). I can do one year, but I'm not sure about two years driving around Europe.

As a Palerider from southern CA you will certainly be a pale rider after two years riding around Europe just to prepare for the onslaught of paper work needed to get the bike into CA. Is having a clutchless bike that important? Are you handicapped? Just curious!!