Can I register non-Calif. RX-8 in California?
 

I have been perusing the California DMV site and it sounds like I can bring in a non-California emissions vehicle if the car has more than 7500 miles.

Is this the case? There really seems to be a lack of information on the subject. I don't want to buy a used RX-8 out of state and find out I can't bring it back.

Thanks!

Yes you can! What you are going to have to do is get the emissions check done in California. I would recommend taking it to a Mazda dealership because they had problems when I took mine to get it done at a place other than the dealership! Also don't take too long because if you are not military California will start stacking up the charges the longer you are in the state without having it registered in California I think if you start the registration process and get the temporary California tags they won't stack those charges! It's not very difficult actually!

btw....I got my RX-8 in VA and changed my registration over in December!

CA DMV doesn't really want to tell you this.. but yes it's 7500+ miles any Federal Emissions vehicle can be registered in California.. they no longer consider it to be a "new" vehicle.

You have 30 days to register the vehicle (and get a CA drivers license) once you move to California, or you start getting huge fines. I'm going from memory, but there is also a law that a vehicle with out of state plates can not remain in california greater then something like 90 days or you can be fined.... and a second rule that if someone with a CA drivers license drives your car (with out of state plates) it has to be registered in the state within line only 2 days, or you need to remove it from the state. (The idea is they don't want a CA driver, borrowing an out of state vehicle to avoid emissions regulations.)

(I ALMOST moved to San Jose 5 years ago.. so all of this is from memory, and may be slightly out of date.)

Oh I have somewhat the same situation. I'm buying the car in MD but in a few months wants to register the car in FL to save insurance. Will I get charge for taxes again?!

Sillygirl:
As long as you've had the car for 6 months or more, FL only will charge you for the registration and tags (if you don't have them already, if you have some FL tags from a previous vehicle, you can transfer them for a smaller fine than getting brand new plates)
If you have had hte car for less than 6 months, you would have to pay the DIFFERENCE between the purchase state's taxes, and Florida's (6.5% in FL)
Are you a FL resident? If you are, you can register the car straight in FL no matter where you buy it, if youre not, you'll have to wait 6 months to not have to pay taxes on it.