California considers any vehicle with fewer than 7,500 miles on the odometer to be "new." You generally cannot bring a "new" out-of-state vehicle into California unless it is certified for California emissions.
If you drive the car back, you may need a temporary operating permit from the state of purchase. If you ship it, keep the bill of lading as proof of the date the car entered California. If you'd like to get started on the logistics or budgeting: Vehicle year and mileage (to check smog/new car rules) The state where the car is currently located Your California zip code (for tax calculation) buying a used car out of state california
The biggest hurdle is the Smog Check. Even if a car passed an emissions test in another state, it must pass a California-specific Smog Check at a licensed station before it can be registered. California considers any vehicle with fewer than 7,500
This form confirms the VIN and engine numbers. While some peace officers can sign this, it is usually easiest to have a DMV employee or a licensed vehicle verifier do it in person. If you'd like to get started on the
This is the primary form for bringing a vehicle into the CA system.