If you’ve just moved to the state of California, let us be one of the firsts to welcome you! No doubt you are already aware of just how important it is to have a car in this sprawling and majestic territory. And of course, to drive your vehicle legally in the Golden State, you’ll want to establish California residency ASAP so you can register your car and get on the road!
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In this article, we’ll show you:
- How to Establish Residency in California
- How to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to California
- How to Title and Register Your Vehicle in California
How to Establish Residency in California
Among your top priorities when moving to California should be establishing residency. Residency affects a number of things including state income tax, public school enrollment, Here’s how to set yourself up as a California resident:
- Purchase or rent a residence in California and set up utilities in your name.
- Obtain a California driver’s license with your new address within ten days of moving in.
- Register to vote and/or file your income tax as a California resident.
For a full list of everything new residents might need, check the California DMV site here.
How to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to California
The process of swapping your out-of-state driver’s license to California is pretty straightforward. You will need to visit a DMV office to do so, and here’s what you’ll need to have on hand to arrive prepared:
- Your social security number
- Proof of identity. Choose from this list.
- Proof of residence. This can be a rental agreement, closing documents, utility bills, or a bank statements. Find the full list of acceptable proof here
- A completed Driver’s License or ID Card Application (Form DL 44)
At the DMV office, they will scan your thumbprint and take your photo. You’ll also have to pass a written knowledge test and a vision exam. If your out-of-state license has expired, you will have to take a driving test as well. When you’ve completed all the required exams, you’ll be given a temporary paper license, and your official card will be mailed to you.
How to Title and Register Your Vehicle in California
Any vehicle you’ve brought with you into the Golden State will need to be registered within 20 days of establishing residency. To title and register a vehicle in California, you will need:
- Your out-of-state vehicle title and out-of-state registration card
- California auto insurance: The minimum requirements are
- $30,000 for bodily injury/death per person
- $60,000 for total bodily injury/death per accident
- $15,000 for damage for property damage per accident
- A valid smog certificate: meaning, an emissions test facilitated by a DMV-approved inspector… unless your car was made prior to 1975
- A completed VIN inspection
To make your life super easy, once you’ve gotten all these elements in order, you can complete your title transfer and registration online with eTags.com. And of course, if you have any questions or need assistance along the way, our California title and tag experts are more than happy to lend a hand. Feel free to reach out to us at any point…because as always, at eTags, we’re here to help!
