Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

[Don W.]

I have a 69 corvette that is has plates, registration and title based in AZ. Anyone know what the process is to get it registered and titled in CA? Thank you...Don

[Edward B.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

Don, if you're a Triple A member, you can do it there. Takes about 10 minutes!

If not, welcome to the wonderful world of the DMV. Stand in line for 8 hours then talk to the most surly person you'll ever run into. He (or she) will make your life miserable. (Contrary to their job description, being rude is actually what they get paid to do!)

Anyway, all it entails is paying California title and registration fees and you'll be all set. You'll get California plates and a new California title. (Sorry, but the days of the old "pink slip" are long gone.)

Ed

[Douglas L.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

If you recently bought the car theyre going to charge you sales tax on it as well.

[Duke W.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

Assuming you have a signed off AZ title you can retitle it and receive a plate and registration at any DMV Office or AAA office if you are a member. You will need to drive the car to the facility so the VIN tag on the car can be verified to match the signed-off title.

I've found DMV easy if you make an appointment (phone is best) for the first available appointment of the day, which is 0800 except Wednesdays, which is 0900. It should not take more than 20 minutes.

You also have several plate choices - modern, Year of Manufacture, and Historical Vehicle among others. Application forms can be downloaded from the DMV Web site, and you can search the online California Vehicle Code, for qualifications and restrictions on special plates.

Duke

[Duke W.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

Don, if you're a Triple A member, you can do it there. Takes about 10 minutes!

If not, welcome to the wonderful world of the DMV. Stand in line for 8 hours then talk to the most surly person you'll ever run into. He (or she) will make your life miserable. (Contrary to their job description, being rude is actually what they get paid to do!)

Only a fool or a moron would show up at a DMV office without an appointment! See my previous post.

For the most part I have found DMV employees to be courteous and professional, but as with any retail establishment there are occasional exceptions. Greeting the clerk with a big smile and saying "good morning" gets us off to a good start, especially when I state my reason for the visit after my greeting and present the proper forms all filled out. The easier you can make their job, the better the experience.

I'm sure if any of us had to stand on our feet all day dealing mostly with dim-wits, we'd get a little grumpy, too, especially by the end of the day.

Duke

[Mark H.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

You can check the California DMV website:http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/

[John S.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

Guys,
AAA will not register an out of state vehicle. Tried that when I bought my 67 in from Nevada in 2008. If it was a new purchase you will have to pay sales tax on it also. (I know) How this POS state gets away with that I do not know.

You must bring the car as Duke suggested as they will look at the vin. Of course you will have to show them where it is as they do not have a clue! As Duke also suggested, make an appointment and it goes way faster and easier.

Now for the shocker. I have had to visit the California DMV 3 times in the last 7 years. The most recent being in October to renew my license. I made an appointment every time. As Duke said "a big smile and good morning" go along way. All 3 times I was met with a smile and a person willing to help me get my stuff taken care of. The one thing I always keep in the back of my mind is how many people these DMV workers deal with every day and how many of them can be total a**holes.

Good luck. Welcome to "The Peoples Republic of California"!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

At least you guys in CA can make an appointment. Here in Michigan we just wait in line.

[Edward B.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

Guys,
AAA will not register an out of state vehicle. Tried that when I bought my 67 in from Nevada in 2008.

That must have now changed because my neighbor up the street just moved her from Oregon and he didn't have any problems having everything done at AAA.

Don, you might want to call AAA to verify.

Ed

[Don W.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

Thank you all; I'll try good old AAA...Don

[Donald O.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

At least you guys in CA can make an appointment. Here in Michigan we just wait in line.

Same with Illinois, plus we get to pay a sales tax on ANY vehicle purchased from a dealer or private party from in state or out of state.

[John S.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

Note that that was required when I purchased my out of state car. I am not sure if you just moved here with the car already registered in your previous state of residence. My guess is the DMV will still have to look at the vin and I do not believe that AAA will do that. I guess we are about to find out!

[Patrick H.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

Same with Illinois, plus we get to pay a sales tax on ANY vehicle purchased from a dealer or private party from in state or out of state.

Oh yeah, same here. They all want to get their share of the revenue.

[William K.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

In Michigan can now use smart phone to save place in line, and get updates on wait time. Worked great approx. 2 weeks ago

[Douglas L.]

Re: Process to register and title a classic car (69 Corvette) in California

I brought my 68 into Cali from Tennessee a couple of years ago. This is how it went for me.

1.You need to bring the title and car to the office, they need to verify the VIN(as Duke said, they need to make sure the title matches the VIN plate). Make sure you call ahead as not all DMV employees are certified"VIN verifiers" so some offices only verify VINs at certain times or certain days.
2. You have to pay the registration fee, associated taxes and sales tax. Sales tax is calculated using your local tax rate and the sale price of the car(you don't have to show them what you paid for your car, they have to take your word for it, within reason).
3. They give you new plates and year/month stickers.

I suppose you could go ahead and put in for personalized or YOM plates at that time but I dont think I'd make things too complicated all at once.

Good Luck, Doug