Drivers License--A California License is required when driving a
privately owned vehicle if you are an active duty California
resident. A non-resident active duty member must have in possession,
either a current California driver's license or a valid driver's license issued
by state of residence. If you are a dependent minor between 16 and 18
years of age, you must possess a "Non-Resident Minor's Certificate" issued by
the California Department of Vehicles UNLESS you hold a California driver's
license. Dependents must have in their possession a current, not
expired, driver's license issued by California. If you obtained a
driver's license within the state of a former duty station, other than
California, it must be replaced with one issued by California or your state of
residence WITHIN 10 DAYS of entering California. Dependents must also
obtain a California driver's license if establishing residency by becoming
employed, paying school tuition, or voting, etc. The local Department
of Vehicles are noted in the Record Listings. The fee is $24.00 and
may be paid by cash or local checks. Proof of citizenship is
required. A military ID card fulfills this
requirement.
Vehicle Registration--Out-of-state registration is valid if
the vehicle is currently registered in the owner's state of
residence. Out-of-state registration is NOT valid if a military
member purchases a vehicle from a non-resident, unless the vehicle is
immediately registered in the purchaser's state of residence or California. If
your vehicle is registered in your last duty location, you may maintain that
registration until expiration. Then you must register the vehicle in
California or state of residence. You may register your vehicles in
California under this special provision at a reduced fee provided the member,
NOT A DEPENDENT, is listed as the primary owner. Items that may be
needed to register an out-of state vehicle are:
- Application for
Registration (DMV form REG 343), properly endorsed
- Out-of-state title
-
Last issued out-of-state registration card (only if the title is not
submitted)
- Verification of Vehicle (DMV form REG 31).
- Smog inspection
certificate, if required - Weight certificate for commercial vehicles
and trailers only
- Appropriate DMV fees
- Smog impact fee, if
required
- County related fees
- Certificate of Non-resident Military
Exemption, available at Pass & Registration.
Smog Test
Requirement--All vehicles registered out-of-state (vehicles less than 5 years
old are exempt) must successfully pass a California smog test prior to being
registered on Vandenberg AFB. The smog certificate must be presented at the time
of vehicle registration. NOTE: If a vehicle does not pass
the smog test, the owner will be required to pay up to $450.00 in parts and
labor before applying for a waiver through a state referee. You may
apply for a one year extension to complete the repairs due to
hardship. This additional time may be allowed by the state referee if
the vehicle is not classified as a major polluter. The waiver is only
good for one time. When the vehicle is tested again, two years later,
there is no limit to the cost of repairs to bring the vehicle up to California
smog standards. The Smog Referee for hardship exemptions can be
reached at 1-800 622-7733. This policy is different from the
Non-resident vehicle smog impact fee.
For specific information about
California's smog requirements for direct import vehicles, phone the Air
Resources Board at: 1-800-242-4450 when in California 1-800-322-9277
nationwide. Also refer to the smog check website in the details
listing.