California Temporary Plates
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I am considering purchasing a car in California and importing it into Canada.
The deal I am looking at is a Private Sale. I am wondering how a car purchase, and plates work in Califorinia.
1. Can I use their existing plate.
2. Does California issue temporary plates for a private party sale.
3. Will the temporary tags be valid in other states?
Bill
The deal I am looking at is a Private Sale. I am wondering how a car purchase, and plates work in Califorinia.
1. Can I use their existing plate.
2. Does California issue temporary plates for a private party sale.
3. Will the temporary tags be valid in other states?
Bill
#2
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NorCal
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2011 E92 335i M-Sport 6MT
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
CA law (as I recall) states that you must insure and license your new/used car within 90 days (or is it 30?). My sister bought a used Accord over 10 years ago and she had the choice to either use the plates on it, or to have them changed (per DMV ... Dept of Motor Vehicles). She decided to keep the old plates that were already on the car. So I'm sure you can use the existing plates on the car you're buying till you get it to Canada and from there, change them to Canada plates.
#3
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left Coast, USA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i, 6spd mtx, Monaco Blue w/Beige interior. Sport, Preimum, Logic 7/HD/I-Pod/USB, Nav sys, rear sunshade, HUD, PDC, Split seats,
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I believe the plates stay with the car (unless the previous owner had vanity plates and keeps them). To register the vehicle in CA (under the new buyer's name), the buyer must have the vehicle smogged, and supply proof of insurance to CA DMV. I had thought you only had 15 days to transfer title, but as long as the tags aren't expired, you can still drive it. The seller is also required to supply to DMV a "Release of Liability" form that shows they sold the vehicle to you. If you are going to take it into Canada, I wouldn't think you would need to bother with CA registration at all, just take it to Canada and register it there?
#5
Members
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Stay away from the DMV in CA. They have no way of allowing you to temporarily register a car purchased in the state without charging you sales tax. If you were to buy a new car there and lived in another state, they would still charge you CA sales tax, unless you took delivery over the border. Their plate will stay on the car, so you shouldn't have problems with that. I am not sure how to handle a border crossing without a title or registration in your name though.
#7
Contributors
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Gurnee, Illinois
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by bhorne' post='481566' date='Oct 14 2007, 08:01 PM
I am considering purchasing a car in California and importing it into Canada.
The deal I am looking at is a Private Sale. I am wondering how a car purchase, and plates work in Califorinia.
1. Can I use their existing plate.
2. Does California issue temporary plates for a private party sale.
3. Will the temporary tags be valid in other states?
Bill
The deal I am looking at is a Private Sale. I am wondering how a car purchase, and plates work in Califorinia.
1. Can I use their existing plate.
2. Does California issue temporary plates for a private party sale.
3. Will the temporary tags be valid in other states?
Bill
Do you have a residence established in Canada yet? If so why not just take the car up there upon purchase and register it there?
#8
Contributors
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left Coast, USA
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535i, 6spd mtx, Monaco Blue w/Beige interior. Sport, Preimum, Logic 7/HD/I-Pod/USB, Nav sys, rear sunshade, HUD, PDC, Split seats,
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by bhorne' post='481764' date='Oct 15 2007, 08:27 AM
Is there sales tax on used cars in California?
Yep...and annual registration fees as well, based on the car's value.
#9
Contributors
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i | Black Sapphire Metallic | Black Dakota Leather | Anthracite Maple | 6 Speed Manual | Sport Package | Logic 7 | Sirius Satellite Radio
Model Year: 2005
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by bhorne' post='481764' date='Oct 15 2007, 10:27 AM
Is there sales tax on used cars in California?
#10
Members
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: So Cal, USA
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 08' 535i, Space Grey, Prem Pkg, Sports Pkg, 124 wheels, NAV, Comfort Access.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Wow - you guys sure know a lot about California. Does anyone know about the significance of the first letter of one's driver's license number? For example, what does "P" stand for? Probation? Practice? Or just another sequential letter from A to Z? Thanks a lot.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Vman33
Complete Car Sales
5
03-14-2022 04:43 AM
bestofthebest
Complete Car Sales
4
03-28-2016 02:47 PM
timmay77
E61 Touring Discussion
7
09-24-2015 09:38 AM