Import my car to California or Colorado

[bluegreen 0]

Sooooo, I just found out we are probably moving, fairly soon, from Colorado to California. I've had my car down in the States for quite a while now, being wishy-washy about what to do with it, but I know I really need to import and register it down here (yeah, I know I should have already done this and am probably breaking all kinds of rules....oops).

So, my question is:

Should I import it and register it in CO, or should I wait and register it in Cali??

In Colorado, I know I have to pay sales tax to register it. I am not sure exactly what this is based on or how much I'll be on the hook for.

I don't know what the rule is in California. But if I have to pay sales tax there too, it seems silly to register it in Colorado for a few months, then pay tax again to register it in Calif.

Thoughts or advice, any of you wise ones??

Similarly, I have still not applied for a driving license. I think in CO I only have to take a written test. Does CA require a test or will my Canadian one be a sufficient trade?

My next major hurdle is my Toyota Loan. I just found out I am not supposed to have the car down there. Oops again. I never knew that....Man, I wish I was not so attached to this car!!! I should just sell it.....

Edited May 27, 2008 by bluegreen

[YuAndDan 153]

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT...ada01192007.htm

This gets asked about often: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=128624&hl=

Lastly California has stricter emissions regs than most other states, so you may be able to import the car to the USA, but may be unable to register it in California.

Vehicles Purchased From Out of the Country

California has special requirements for vehicles imported from other countries (including Canada and Mexico). It may be very costly and in some cases impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements and/or federal motor vehicle safety standards. For example, vehicles manufactured to be sold in Europe (gray market vehicles) less than two years old are not legal for registration or use in California.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr29.htm

Edited May 27, 2008 by YuAndDan

[bluegreen 0]

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/IMPORT...ada01192007.htm

This gets asked about often: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...=128624&hl=

Lastly California has stricter emissions regs than most other states, so you may be able to import the car to the USA, but may be unable to register it in California.

Vehicles Purchased From Out of the Country

California has special requirements for vehicles imported from other countries (including Canada and Mexico). It may be very costly and in some cases impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements and/or federal motor vehicle safety standards. For example, vehicles manufactured to be sold in Europe (gray market vehicles) less than two years old are not legal for registration or use in California.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr29.htm

Thanks YuAndDan,

I think I am all clear on actually importing my car into the US (I know CA is a bit stricter about emissions but my car is very new - but more than 6 mos - so I think it'll be not too costly). My question more relates to actually registering it in that state. Will I have to pay sales tax in California to actually register it? You do in Colorado. So I'd like to avoid that by maybe waiting to officially import my car (I have a year to do that) and not registering at all in Colorado.

I know I should have registered it in CO within 30 days of being there (that's the state law), so I am running a risk waiting a bit longer till we are in CA. I am just not totally clear on what the rule is about registration in each state - the DMV websites are confusing.