Registering in CA

[Amati5]

Any of you registered back in July/August got your owner’s certificate from DMV (Sacramento) yet? How long does it normally take?
thx

 

[svm]

Finally received my 2022 Telluride EX Nightfall, AWD, with Tow Package. Made a down-payment and financed with USAA (1.89 %). Here is a timeline breakdown and CA DMV experience. Hope this can help future owner purchasing out of state from CA.

06/08/21- placed order with i25 Kia and placed $500 refundable deposit.
06/23/21- order filled and gave me ETA of 08/05/21
07/22/21- dealership began emailing documents to sign electronically and email back. Spoke with USAA about new purchase (Loan application/Dealer funding Request form...etc). Dealership told me now new ETA is 07/29/21
07/23/21- dealership overnight paperwork via UPS to sign and overnight back. Wrote address of DMV on a sticky note I wanted dealership to send documents to register the vehicle. Filled out several paperwork to include DMV Reg343 (mostly filled out by dealership)
07/26/21- vehicle arrived at dealership...yes earlier than expected.
08/04/21- transportation company picked up vehicle at dealership. Cost is $1500 to ship (added in the price of the vehicle0. Funny thing is the transportation company told me I had to pay ~$850 for cost of shipping. Told them to talk to dealership as I paid them. So found out dealership is making money off shipping. Still better than the crazy markups here in CA.
08/07/21- vehicle delivered to doorstep here in San Diego

Only thing that bothered me was the vehicle sat at the dealership for about a week (07/26/21 to 08/04/21). Finance prolonged the process and I had to directly speak with him to get the vehicle shipped out. Was not happy with that. But overall happy the wait time was faster than if I ordered thru another dealership. Shout out to Dominic (Sales guy) in keeping me informed throughout the process. He texted me when Window Sticker came in, VIN was created,...etc.

DMV information and experience: (mistake - went initially without SMOG check and was turned back. So get your SMOG done!!)

08/10/21- received 1st class mail from CA DMV in my mailbox. Had copies of several documents. Had letter stating San Diego field office (that I picked and wrote on the sticky note) has received the original title and to come in to register the vehicle. If not completed by a certain date, original title will be returned to USAA. In there was copies of: MDV For Reg 343, CA sales tax paid, Certificate of Origin for Vehicle, Dealer's Bill of Sale, Purchase Agreement, Security Agreement, DMV generated fees, Incomplete DMV application. Take this with you to DMV.
08/23/21- Went to local DMV. After reading these forums, somebody posted that SMOG may not be needed. I went without SMOG hoping the EPA sticker under the hood was good enough. Drove to the back and got in line for Vehicle verification for inspection. Of course passed everything and he checked the sticker under the hood and I asked him about SMOG. He said the sticker means the vehicle meets EPA regulations and can be registered in CA and all states. He said he thinks they will still ask for SMOG once I go inside. Hoping he would be wrong, I got a number and waited my turn. Lucky the wait was really short. Once my turn, they asked for SMOG and I tried to explain that I may not need one but she and a Supervisor confirmed that I needed a SMOG as it was coming form out of state. I asked if I go now and get it, if I had to wait in line again, and they said unfortunately yes. I tried to argue but they were adamant. I even showed them the DMV website. They said again it only means the label shows the vehicle meets EPA and can be registered in CA. So I left disappointed and returned after an hour an half with SMOG completed. After another wait, they found my Original Title and DMV forms sent from dealership. So didn't have to fill out any forms. Lady calculated the registration fees and paid $430.56 with checkbook. Received registration and plates and no more visits.

Thank you so much for the detailed timeline! A few questions if I may:

1. When you got your vehicle, how did you make sure it is in expected condition, since you aren't there to visual inspect / test drive? Do they provide any inspection report or just trust in good faith?
2. Related to the above, during the week 7/26 - 8/04, I suppose it was already sold and probably why it bothers you? Did the transportation company verified its status before they ship?

 

[Jzone]

Thank you so much for the detailed timeline! A few questions if I may:

1. When you got your vehicle, how did you make sure it is in expected condition, since you aren't there to visual inspect / test drive? Do they provide any inspection report or just trust in good faith?
2. Related to the above, during the week 7/26 - 8/04, I suppose it was already sold and probably why it bothers you? Did the transportation company verified its status before they ship?

1. So when the vehicle was delivered, I was greeted with the driver of the transport car carrier. It was a regular uncovered transport hauler. I made sure to take pics and even video record as he drove it off the carrier. I inspected the vehicle and went around the whole car as I recorded it in case something was wrong. So it was in good faith.
2. So I communicated with the dealership at least a month out from my ETA that once the vehicle arrived at the dealership, i didn’t want it to sit there but wanted it shipped out right away. I was not happy because the vehicle sat there for a week. My sales guy notified me the morning they received the vehicle. But he said he could not schedule with transportation company because they were waiting on funding with my lender. Even though they received all paperwork a few days ago even a cashiers check for $20K down, they would not schedule with transportation. I spent several hours on the phone with My lender and dealership finance guy to figure out what the hold up was and to process the funding ASAP.

Also transportation company was 1 day late in picking up vehicle from the dealership. My transport hauler also had to drop off several other vehicles…in Las Vegas, LA…etc. and of course my vehicle was the very last stop here in San Diego.

No issues with exception of the recall with LCD display. Local dealership updated the software and issue was gone. I love driving it and tailgating with my little kids hanging out in the back with all seats down.

 

[svm]

1. So when the vehicle was delivered, I was greeted with the driver of the transport car carrier. It was a regular uncovered transport hauler. I made sure to take pics and even video record as he drove it off the carrier. I inspected the vehicle and went around the whole car as I recorded it in case something was wrong. So it was in good faith.
2. So I communicated with the dealership at least a month out from my ETA that once the vehicle arrived at the dealership, i didn’t want it to sit there but wanted it shipped out right away. I was not happy because the vehicle sat there for a week. My sales guy notified me the morning they received the vehicle. But he said he could not schedule with transportation company because they were waiting on funding with my lender. Even though they received all paperwork a few days ago even a cashiers check for $20K down, they would not schedule with transportation. I spent several hours on the phone with My lender and dealership finance guy to figure out what the hold up was and to process the funding ASAP.

Also transportation company was 1 day late in picking up vehicle from the dealership. My transport hauler also had to drop off several other vehicles…in Las Vegas, LA…etc. and of course my vehicle was the very last stop here in San Diego.

No issues with exception of the recall with LCD display. Local dealership updated the software and issue was gone. I love driving it and tailgating with my little kids hanging out in the back with all seats down.

Got my car delivered today! Next step is to deal with DMV stuff. Is my understanding correct that dealership will send documents to CA DMV and the DMV will send you a notice to go register? Does that mean for now I should just wait for the magic mail from DMV to arrive?

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[ksyrah]

Got my car delivered today! Next step is to deal with DMV stuff. Is my understanding correct that dealership will send documents to CA DMV and the DMV will send you a notice to go register? Does that mean for now I should just wait for the magic mail from DMV to arrive?

Go straight to the dealer and ask what they did in your specific instance. Where I bought my Telly's, it was done a different way for each one.......

 

[Amati5]

I25 sent me the docs. Even if your dealer send your docs to DMV, I wouldn’t count on DMV to notify you, given you only have 20 days to register before being penalized. you can come in to DMV near the 20th day of your purchase and hopefully they have it and complete the process. If not, you’ll just have to come back but at least no penalty fee.

 

[JRebel]

I25 sent me the docs. Even if your dealer send your docs to DMV, I wouldn’t count on DMV to notify you, given you only have 20 days to register before being penalized. you can come in to DMV near the 20th day of your purchase and hopefully they have it and complete the process. If not, you’ll just have to come back but at least no penalty fee.

I25 is sending my docs to DMV (I financed). Agree you need to be proactive about this sort of thing. It’s 20 days from arrival in State not date of purchase?

 

[JRebel]

Got my car delivered today! Next step is to deal with DMV stuff. Is my understanding correct that dealership will send documents to CA DMV and the DMV will send you a notice to go register? Does that mean for now I should just wait for the magic mail from DMV to arrive?

Awesome! Have fun now the wait is officially over for you!

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[JRebel]

Awesome

 

[Amati5]

I25 is sending my docs to DMV (I financed). Agree you need to be proactive about this sort of thing. It’s 20 days from arrival in State not date of purchase?

I think it’s based on date of purchase but someone mentioned you can tell the DMV rep when the car arrived in CA, but even that, I don’t trust them. Thing with DMV is every rep understands the rules differently unless a supervisor involves. I didn’t have to since I came in the DMV early.

Also, it was strange that i25 charged me CA sale tax at pickup but they also later sent me the check to my name with the exact amount. On the check, it said to use this check to pay for my tax when registering . Someone had posted this before and it confused hell out of me.

 

[svm]

I25 sent me the docs. Even if your dealer send your docs to DMV, I wouldn’t count on DMV to notify you, given you only have 20 days to register before being penalized. you can come in to DMV near the 20th day of your purchase and hopefully they have it and complete the process. If not, you’ll just have to come back but at least no penalty fee.

Makes sense. I tried to avoid going there twice but one must assume worst case scenario for DMV aren't we? Will go to DMV asap.

 

[SLPV]

Got my car delivered today! Next step is to deal with DMV stuff. Is my understanding correct that dealership will send documents to CA DMV and the DMV will send you a notice to go register? Does that mean for now I should just wait for the magic mail from DMV to arrive?

You have 20 days to start registration process, whether DMV receives paperwork and opens package or when you go to DMV. Assuming dealer sends to your local DMV office. If they receive paperwork before you go, they might use purchase date as start date, but you just need to tell them the date when you receive car. Check with dealer when they send paperwork and at least plan to go to DMV within 20 days.

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[JRebel]

I think it’s based on date of purchase but someone mentioned you can tell the DMV rep when the car arrived in CA, but even that, I don’t trust them. Thing with DMV is every rep understands the rules differently unless a supervisor involves. I didn’t have to since I came in the DMV early.

Also, it was strange that i25 charged me CA sale tax at pickup but they also later sent me the check to my name with the exact amount. On the check, it said to use this check to pay for my tax when registering . Someone had posted this before and it confused hell out of me.

When you went to the DMV did you pay the tax? The Dealer is supposed to collect the tax at purchase then pay the DMV when they send in the paperwork or at least that is what I thought other members said for financed purchases.

 

[Amati5]

When you went to the DMV did you pay the tax? The Dealer is supposed to collect the tax at purchase then pay the DMV when they send in the paperwork or at least that is what I thought other members said for financed purchases.

Yes, I used that check to pay. I guess in most case, they sent the papers to DMV with the tax they collected from buyers. But mine was a cash deal, they sent them to me and the check so they didn’t have to send the check to DMV separately. Basically, they always collect the tax then do whatever convenient for them.

 

[Tellurider22]

Basically, they always collect the tax then do whatever convenient for them.

I paid via cash to i25 and they did NOT collect CA tax. I'm planning to bring my checkbook to the DMV...

 

[svm]

You have 20 days to start registration process, whether DMV receives paperwork and opens package or when you go to DMV. Assuming dealer sends to your local DMV office. If they receive paperwork before you go, they might use purchase date as start date, but you just need to tell them the date when you receive car. Check with dealer when they send paperwork and at least plan to go to DMV within 20 days.

I am going to do it tmr! In reg343, there is a box asking "For vehicles which entered the state within 1 year of purchase, was Sales Tax paid to another state?". I wonder if I should say yes or no - I did pay tax to i25. Other comment mentioned they will send a check to CA DMV so I am not sure whether this is considered as "paid to another state" or not?

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[JRebel]

I am going to do it tmr! In reg343, there is a box asking "For vehicles which entered the state within 1 year of purchase, was Sales Tax paid to another state?". I wonder if I should say yes or no - I did pay tax to i25. Other comment mentioned they will send a check to CA DMV so I am not sure whether this is considered as "paid to another state" or not?

I think you get a credit for any tax you paid in another state. Since we told the dealer we were out of State buyers they know we have to pay our home state tax. DMV will have no problem telling you what you owe them

 

[Amati5]

I paid via cash to i25 and they did NOT collect CA tax. I'm planning to bring my checkbook to the DMV...

Hmm.. I guess there is no standard process with i25

 

[SLPV]

Sales tax collected by out of state dealers are credited for CA sales tax and dealers usually forward it to CA. In addition, CA registration fees are about $600 for most counties. Use checkbook to pay or DMV charge fees for cards.

i25 usually collect CA tax rates for CA buyers. DMV should know or have the tax. Any difference from tax collected for your county will be paid when you register.

Sales tax collected should be on purchase paperwork.

 

[svm]

Sales tax collected by out of state dealers are credited for CA sales tax and dealers usually forward it to CA. In addition, CA registration fees are about $600 for most counties. Use checkbook to pay or DMV charge fees for cards.

i25 usually collect CA tax rates for CA buyers. DMV should know or have the tax. Any difference from tax collected for your county will be paid when you register.

Sales tax collected should be on purchase paperwork.

Does this mean the answer is yes and I should fill the form with the exact tax amount as shown in my purchase agreement?