California Vehicle Registration
IN
GENERAL
Non-resident military personnel are permitted to operate
their vehicles in California with their valid home state license plates, or
until the expiration of the plates issued by another
state. Registrations may be renewed in the resident state before
expiration date, or in California.
VEHICLE REGISTRATION
Present the following when requesting registration.
1. Proof of
ownership, or the right to operate the vehicle.
2. A valid operator's license
acceptable to the State of California.
3. A valid vehicle registration.
4.
The name and address of the insurance company, policy number and expiration
date.
5. Vehicle insurance providing coverage in the minimum amount of
$15,000/$30,000 public liability and $10,000 property damage is
required.
Registration requirements and fees for California are
complicated and lengthy. It is recommended that you contact the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with any specific questions you may
have. Out-of-State plates will generally be valid until their
expiration date. The California DMV has a special form to be filled
out by the servicemember to receive a military rate on the basic annual
registration and vehicle fee. The Three State Rule applies in
California - a person cannot be a resident in one state, have a driver's license
in another, and have his/her car registered in another.
If you are going
to register your car in California, note that you may have to pay an additional
transportation fee of $300, and some vehicles must be fitted with emission
control devices.
California Drivers License
A standard
class "A" driver's license for motorcycles or automobiles costs
$12.00. The Department of Motor Vehicles has determined that a
California driver's license is not required of a family member as long as the
following criteria are met:
CRITERIA FOR A LICENSE
1. The
family member's home state driver's license remains valid.
2. The family
member is age 18 or older.
3. The family member does not establish residency
in California.
4. The family member is not employed for compensation for the
purpose operating a motor vehicle.
The DMV maintains that lawful family
members are entitled to the same non-resident status as their active duty
sponsors.
A driver license shows that you have been given permission by
the state to drive on California's public roadways. You may apply for a license
at any office of the Department of Motor
Vehicles.
REGULATIONS
California residents on active duty
must possess a current, valid California State Driver's
License.
Non-residents on Active Duty must possess a current California
Driver's License or a license issued by the driver's state of residence which
may be expired, as long as you are on Active Duty.
Family members must
have in their possession a current, valid driver's license issued by either
California or their state of residence. If, under 18, they must also
possess a "Non-Resident Minor's Certificate", issued by the Department of Motor
Vehicles UNLESS they hold a California driver's license. For more information on
obtaining a driver's license under 18, see the Child and Teen Service Overview
in this book.
CALIFORNIA BUCKLE-UP AND HELMET LAWS as of January
1994.
SEAT BELTS Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants of any
motor vehicle operated in the state of California.
CAR SEATS
Children under 6 years of age, or under SIXTY pounds, must be properly secured
in a federally approved car seat.
HELMETS Helmets are mandatory
for all motorcycle drivers, driving on public roads.
SAFETY BELTS
Drivers of private passenger vehicles (including housecars) and light trucks are
required to wear safety belts and to have their passengers restrained by safety
belts. Passengers 16 and over are required to wear safety belts; they
may be cited as well as the driver. Owners of private passenger vehicles must
maintain safety belts in good working order.
CHILD
RESTRAINT SYSTEMS Drivers transporting young children in
passenger vehicles or light trucks under 60 pounds are required to provide and
properly use a child restraint system (a crash-tested safety seat, harness or
bed) which meets federal safety standards. Children must ride in
these restraints until they are at least SIX years old and also weigh 60 pounds
or more. If the parent is in the car, he/she is cited instead of the
driver. Consequences: the fine for the first offense is
$100 ($270 including penalty assessments) unless the defendant provides economic
disadvantage; the court will refer the defendant for a car seat loan or low
interest loan.
Other Regulations
SMOG CHECK: If
registering your car in California, it must pass a state smog
test. If your car is registered out of state, it must meet that
state's smog device standards.
PETS: Dogs in the back of
pick-up trucks must be harnessed.
CHILDREN: Children may not
ride in the back of pick-up trucks than do not have a cover.