I want to do everything legally so I want to know all the extra hoops I have to jump through to satisfy CA regulations. In my search for a new car, some Nevada cars are coming up and I'm wonder what I have to do. I did check DMV and there are 2 forms that I seem to require.

1 is the form the new owner fills out to transfer the registration from Nevada to California. No problem.
The other, is a form that someone at DMV has to fill out... but I have no idea how to get this done.

Has anyone done this and do you have any tips?

Also... when we sign over the pink slip, but between the time I get the car officially registered in CA, does that mean Nevada DMV recognizes that I own the car?

 

Having just buying a car from MA I can tell you that it's not hard at all.

Fill out the transfer form.
Pass California SMOG
Go to the DMV to pay the fees, turn in the form, and they will do the verification there and fill everything else out.

Make sure you have the bill of sale, pink slip from the seller and smog paperwork. I did everything with one trip to the DMV since I smogged the car prior to going in. I was in and out within 30 mins of them calling my number to go to the window.

 

Do you know if Nevada Subaru WRX are "49 state approved" so that it's just a matter of these forms/inspections/smog test?

 

Cars shipped to NV are 49 state approved. What year are you buying anyhow? All 2015's sold in the US are CA spec.

 

2011 or newer

 

Bought WRXs from New Jersey and Utah before. No problem.
I had to do smog, brake, lamp inspection and VIN verification.
That's all.
Easy.

 

as said above.

 

Is it a Nevada car or a California car driven in Nevada?

I bought a California WRX driven in Nevada and it's been a headache!

When I bought it, the owner gave me a California title so I didn't think much of it since it matched his name and driver's license (Nevada).

I took it to California DMV to find out it hasn't been registered in Ca since 2009 (of course since it's been in Nevada) and Ca wants me to pay all the back fees from 2009 to date unless I get proof of registration from Nevada. The owner couldn't find his paperwork and he 'said' he went to NV DMV and it's mailed directly too me ... it's been 8+ weeks. In Nv, the plates belongs to the owner and not the car so I have pictures of the car & plates with '14 tags but Ca DMV won't accept that.

Next, Ca DMW wants a statement from Nv DMW saying the state never issued a title for this vehicle. Now, I have to file a Nv DMW form to request these information.

So that's what I have learned buying a California car driven in Nevada.

 

That's kinda what I'm worried about... although in your case it's because California is trying to get paid (because its broke). Sorry to hear about such a frustrating situation... I hope you get it resolved.

 

Don't forget you'll have to pay CA taxes!