12.095 Military Personnel–Signature by Relative (VC §1651)

The registration application for a nonresident vehicle being registered to an owner who is in the U.S. Armed Forces may be signed by the owner’s spouse or other close relative.

The owner’s signature must:

• Be countersigned by the relative.
• Have the relationship to the individual indicated.

12.090 Military Personnel-Owned Commercial Vehicles (VC §6701)

Military personnel may operate a commercial vehicle owned by the military person without obtaining California registration for the vehicle provided it bears valid registration in the owner’s home state or the state of military assignment at the time of registration, and it is not used in a trade or business.

Exception: Any commercial vehicle owned by military personnel used in any business manner wherein the military person receives compensation is subject to California registration (VC §6701(c)).

12.085 Military Personnel–Discharged (VC §6703)

Any person who enters California after being discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces is exempt from California registration for passenger vehicles, trailer coaches, and utility trailers provided the vehicle has valid out-of-state plates and registration.

Registration fees become due when the person accepts gainful employment in California or becomes a California resident and must be paid within 20 days following that date to avoid penalties (CVC §4152.5).

12.080 Military Personnel (VC §6701)

Military personnel, including California residents, who are military members or the nonresident spouse of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces returning from active duty in a foreign state and military and civilian members of NATO who are not citizens of the United States are permitted to operate a vehicle (including trailer coaches) in California with valid license plates from either the:

• Individual’s home state or country.
• State or country where the individual was regularly assigned and stationed when the license plates were issued.

Note For military personnel assigned to Washington, D.C., consider Maryland or Virginia the state where stationed.

The requirements are:

• The vehicle must be owned by the military member or their spouse.
• The vehicle must be currently registered.
• The vehicle must display valid license plates issued to the military person or their spouse by the foreign jurisdiction where the military person was last regularly assigned and stationed for duty by military orders or by a jurisdiction claimed as the permanent state of residence by the nonresident military person.
• The vehicle cannot be a commercial vehicle used in a business manner from which the military member or their spouse receives compensation.

Note Military orders do not include military orders for leave, for temporary duty, or for any other assignment of any nature requiring the military person’s presence outside the foreign jurisdiction where the owner was regularly assigned and stationed for duty.

• If the vehicle is a motor vehicle, the owner or driver has in force one of the forms of financial responsibility specified in VC §16021.

Note Officers of the Public Health Service are entitled to all rights, privileges, immunities, and benefits provided under the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act of 1940. They do not have to be on duty with the U.S. Armed Forces.

Refer to the Determining the Date Fees Become Due section in this chapter for procedures.

12.075 Lost Applications (VC §1651)

Reconstruct any nonresident registration application (clearing or suspense) that is lost after being sent to DMV headquarters and issue certificates with the least possible inconvenience to the customer.

The following must be submitted:

• A completed REG 343 (PDF).
• Evidence of the original transaction (receipt, etc.).
• A completed REG 31 (PDF).
• A photocopy of the REG 51 or the operating copy, if vehicle was sold by a dealer.
• The odometer disclosure statement, Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262), or photocopy.
• For commercial vehicles, a photocopy or carbon copy of the weight certificate. If a copy is not available, but the vehicle weight can be determined from a breakdown of the fees paid, accept a REG 256 (PDF) certifying to the unladen weight of the vehicle in lieu of a new weight certificate.
• A smog inspection, if needed. If the electronic smog certification cannot be verified from the vehicle record, the customer’s vehicle inspection report (VIR) is required.
• Photocopies of any other original documents submitted, if possible.
• A REG 256 certifying:
  • The out-of-state title was or was not surrendered and California certificates were not received.
  • Where the vehicle was last registered and the approximate registration expiration date unless fees were collected based on the purchase date.
  • There are no liens against the vehicle other than shown on the application.
  • The weight certificate (for commercial vehicles) was included with the application giving the unladen weight and number of axles.
• Any fees due.

12.070 Leased Vehicles (VC §6853)

A vehicle leased from a nonresident owner by a person who resides or has an established place of business in California for use on California highways, must be registered here unless specifically exempted from registration under VC §6850. Nonresident commercial vehicles leased to a California resident are subject to California registration from the date of first use in California, conditioned upon reciprocity.

California registration becomes due when the vehicle is under lease and in operation by the lessee. In such cases, make a notation on the application “Fees assessed from first use by California lessee—not from date of entry.”

12.065 Interstate Registration Conversion to Regular Registration

The requirements for conversion from interstate registration to regular registration are the same as for conversion of goldenrod registration shown in the Nontitle (Goldenrod) Registration Conversion to California Title section in this chapter, except that the current nonresident registration and foreign plates must be surrendered.

12.060 Interstate Registration

Interstate registration allows a vehicle owner to register a vehicle in California and still retain valid out-of-state registration. It does not prevent any vehicle from being registered in California on a nontransferable (goldenrod) basis.

Generally, interstate registration is for nonresident commercial vehicles operating in more than one state without reciprocity. However, automobiles may also be registered on an interstate basis. California residents may obtain interstate registration for vehicles registered in another state, but a California resident who is exempt from registering in another state should not be encouraged to pay fees to both states.

Registration Requirements—The following must be submitted:

• A completed an REG 343 (PDF).
• A REG 31 (PDF) verification must show the motive power.
• A smog certification, if appropriate.
• A weight certificate, if a commercial vehicle. A weight certificate is not required if the vehicle:
  • Was previously registered in California and no changes have been made to the vehicle; however, the owner must complete a REG 256 (PDF)certifying this fact.
  • Is a two-axle or three-axle motor vehicle weighing 10,001 or more pounds; however, a REG 256 with the estimated weight is required.
  • Weighs less than 6,001 pounds unladen, empty, scale, or tare weight, as indicated on the nonresident title or registration.
  • Is a trailer or semitrailer being registered under the Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) program; however, a REG 256 with the estimated weight is required.
• A REG 4008 for commercial vehicles over 6,001 pounds, except pickups.
• Full-year registration fees and use tax, if due.

Interstate Registration Renewals—Interstate registration is renewed the same as other California registration. The nonresident registration is not inspected for renewal.

Vehicles Registered in Mexico or Newfoundland may be issued interstate registration under the following conditions:

• Commercial vehicles over 7,000 pounds unladen must submit proof of insurance by an insurance company authorized to do business in California.
• Insurance coverage must be in the amounts specified below. Additional coverage is required for commercial vehicles hauling petroleum or hazardous waste (VC §16500.5 and California Public Utilities Code §3631).
  • $250,000 Public Liability Per Person
  • $500,000 Public Liability Per Accident
  • $100,000 Property Damage
  • $600,000 Combined Total Coverage

International Traffic Vehicles—There are additional clearance requirements for international traffic vehicles. These are heavy duty commercial vehicles which are allowed to import and/or pick up merchandise and leave as expeditiously as possible. They enter California for the sole purpose of doing business and do not intend to remain here.

Note Light weight pickup trucks and/or automobiles are not included in this classification. These vehicles are subject to normal registration requirements.

The owner/driver of an international traffic vehicle must present proof of insurance from a company authorized to do business in California and obtain interstate registration.

12.055 Evidence of Ownership

Nonresident Title—The original nonresident title is required to register and title a nonresident vehicle in California. A replacement title showing the current license number and the registered owner’s name may be used in applications for nontitle (goldenrod) registration only.

Non-Title State—In general, other states issue titles on most motor vehicles and trailers. However, titles may not be issued for some older vehicles and/or certain trailers. Example: Connecticut does not require issuance of a Connecticut title on vehicles manufactured prior to 1981. Ownership is transferred using a Connecticut Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (CT DMV form Q-1) form and a copy of the Connecticut registration.

Notarization Requirements—The signatures on a nonresident title or a nonresident certificate of origin are not required to be notarized, even if the nonresident title contains provisions for notarization upon transfer. Accept the nonresident owner’s signature on the title or a bill of sale to the new owner.

Title State—Evidence of ownership must be the title, endorsed by the owner to the purchaser, if the vehicle is being transferred. Otherwise, bills of sale must be submitted in lieu of the signature(s) on the title.

Note The surviving owner of a nonresident vehicle registered to co-owners as Joint Tenants with Right of Survivorship may obtain California registration in their name by submitting a death certificate for the deceased owner in addition to the usual nonresident clearance requirements.

Any legal owner/lienholder shown on the REG 343 (PDF) must be the same as is shown on the nonresident title, unless the application includes one of the following:

• A lien marked “paid” and countersigned by the legal owner on the out-of-state title.
• The legal owner’s signature on the legal owner release line of the out-of-state title.
• A lien satisfied, such as a Lien Satisfied/Legal Holder/Titleholder Release (REG 166) (PDF) form.
• The original or a certified copy of the conditional sales contract or security interest, showing the name(s) of the purchaser and lienholder, marked “paid” and countersigned.

If the vehicle was not registered in the applicant’s name before being brought into California, the nonresident title must be:

• Properly endorsed by the registered and legal owners shown on the title. Bills of sale and a lien satisfied from the legal owner may be accepted in lieu of signatures on the title to establish a complete chain of ownership from the registered owner shown on the out-of-state title to the applicant.
• Signed by the applicant as purchaser.

Acceptable Evidence of Ownership When a Title Was not Issued—The following must be submitted:

• A REG 256 (PDF)from the applicant stating the vehicle is free and clear of any liens other than shown on the application and one of the following:
  • Bill of sale or dealer invoice to the registered owner named on the out-of-state registration that shows no lien against the vehicle and indicates the vehicle was paid in full.
  • The original or certified copy of a conditional sales contract that shows the same lien as shown on the REG 343 or which has been stamped/marked “paid” and countersigned or is cleared by a lien satisfied (a REG 166 is acceptable).
  • Title from a different nonresident jurisdiction or a letter from the nontitle state verifying the title was surrendered to that state unless the out-of-state registration indicates the title was surrendered.
• Bills of sale to establish a complete chain of ownership from the registered owner shown on the out-of-state registration to the applicant, including any dealers, for a vehicle not registered in the applicant’s name in the other state.

Note The original or certified copy of a dealer invoice may be substituted for a bill of sale provided it describes the vehicle, gives the name and address of the dealer and the name of the buyer(s), and is either stamped/marked “paid” and countersigned or indicates the same lienholder as shown on the REG 343.

Foreign Country Title Documents—A vehicle previously registered in a foreign country may be registered in California using the foreign title documents.

12.050 Direct Import Vehicles

Direct imports are vehicles which have been imported and originally manufactured for use in other countries. These vehicles may have foreign emission and/or safety labels, or no labels.

A Vehicle Identification Number Analysis (VINA) validation determines when a vehicle is a direct import (grey market) vehicle.

Note The Direct Import Guidebook is obsolete. Polk’s Canadian and International Registration Manual has information on foreign documents and registration requirements previously found in the Direct Import Guidebook.

Registration and/or Titling Requirements—The following must be submitted:

• The basic nonresident registration documentation outlined in the Basic Registration Requirements section in this chapter.
• Evidence or documentation to prove that the vehicle was imported legally and cleared U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP forms 7501, 3461, 6059, 3299, or 3311, stamped or endorsed by CBP are acceptable. This does not apply to U.S. territories.
• Evidence that the vehicle was modified to meet Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). This may be FMVSS labels affixed to the vehicle or a letter from the manufacturer certifying the vehicle meets FMVSS requirements.
• Evidence that the vehicle was modified to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards and requirements. This may be a label affixed to the vehicle or letter from the manufacturer stating the vehicle meets U.S. EPA requirements.

Note Manufacturers may certify to FMVSS and EPA requirements on the same letter.

• If the vehicle is less than two years old, a certificate of conformance from a California Air Resources Board (CARB) authorized laboratory.
• A smog certificate, if required.
• If the application is for registration of a 1968 year model or newer auto or commercial vehicle or a 1978 year model or newer motorcycle that does not comply with:
  • U.S. emission requirements, refer the applicant to CARB at 1-800-242–4450 or by email at helpline@www.arb.ca.gov.
  • FMVSS, refer the applicant to the manufacturer to obtain a letter stating the vehicle meets FMVSS.

All references for direct import vehicles indicating “1966 year-model or newer auto or commercial vehicles” should be “1968 year-model or newer auto or commercial vehicles” in accordance with federal regulations

When an application for direct import vehicles is submitted:

• Do not accept a REG 256F, REV. 8/2016 or prior revisions.
• Inform the applicant the exemptions are not applicable to direct import vehicles.

Note There are no CARB programs to convert new vehicles (less than two years old), motorcycles, off-highway vehicles (OHV), and diesel-powered vehicles to California emission standards. Vehicles that cannot be converted to comply with U.S. safety and U.S. and/or California emission standards cannot be registered for on-highway or off-highway use.

Refer customers who have questions or need assistance about direct import vehicles to TCS at (916) 657-6795, CARB at 1-800-242-4450, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at nhtsa.gov.