Exemption Of Nonresidents - Permits To Nonresident Owners - Vehicle - CA

Section § 6700

If you own a vehicle that should be registered in California, you can drive it in the state without registering it until you find a job or become a resident, as long as it has valid out-of-state plates and registration, and you lived in that state when you got them. Once you get a job or become a resident, you need to register the car in California within 20 days.

If you're a nonresident with a registered vehicle from your home state, you can drive it in California without registering it here unless you let a California resident regularly use it. In that case, the California resident must register the car in California within 20 days of using it.

(a) Except as provided in Section 6700.2, the owner of any vehicle of a type otherwise subject to registration under this code, other than a commercial vehicle registered in a foreign jurisdiction, may operate the vehicle in this state until gainful employment is accepted in this state or until residency is established in this state, whichever occurs first, if the vehicle displays valid license plates and has a valid registration issued to the owner, and the owner was a resident of that state at the time of issuance. Application to register the vehicle shall be made within 20 days after gainful employment is accepted in this state or residency is established in this state.

(b) A nonresident owner of a vehicle, otherwise exempt from registration pursuant to this section or Section 6700.2, may operate or permit operation of the vehicle in this state without registering the vehicle in this state if the vehicle is registered in the place of residence of the owner and displays upon it valid license plates issued by that place. This exemption does not apply if the nonresident owner rents, leases, lends, or otherwise furnishes the vehicle to a California resident for regular use on the highways of this state, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 4000.4.

(c) Any resident who operates upon a highway of this state a vehicle owned by a nonresident who furnished the vehicle to the resident operator for his or her regular use within this state, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 4000.4, shall cause the vehicle to be registered in California within 20 days after its first operation within this state by the resident.

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Section § 6700.1

This law allows residents of other countries to get a special permit for driving a new car they buy in California before taking it out of the U.S. They have up to 30 days to use this permit, which replaces regular registration, taxes, and fees. However, the vehicle must leave the country within those 30 days, or the seller will face penalties and have to pay registration and tax fees. This only applies to non-commercial vehicles, and proof of foreign residency is required. Buyers must pay $60 for the permit, which must be visibly displayed. No California ownership certificate will be provided, and any sale under these conditions must show it’s for export only. If the vehicle isn't taken out of the country within the allowed time, the manufacturer must pay extra fees and taxes to the retailer.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may issue an in-transit permit to a resident of a foreign country not more than 30 days before or after the foreign resident purchases a new motor vehicle in California which was manufactured in the United States. The permit authorizes the operation of the vehicle for which it is purchased for up to 30 consecutive days after the first date of operation, and is in lieu of any other registration requirements, including, but not limited to, fees or taxes required by this code or the Revenue and Taxation Code. The seller shall ship or drive the vehicle out of this country before or at the end of 30 consecutive days from the first date of operation, or thereafter shall be subject to, and shall be required to pay, all charges and registration requirements for vehicles subject to registration in this state. In addition, if the vehicle is not so removed from this country, the department shall assess, and the seller shall be required to pay, a penalty of 20 percent of the vehicle registration and license fees and sales tax due upon the vehicle becoming subject to registration.

(b) Subdivision (a) does not apply to commercial vehicles.

(c) Proof of residency in a foreign country for purposes of this section shall be established through the presentation of a valid visa, passport, or other suitable documentation, as determined by the department.

(d) A fee of sixty dollars ($60) shall be paid to the department for each in-transit permit issued.

(e) A permit issued under this section shall be displayed in the manner permitted by paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 26708.

(f) The permit issued by the department shall clearly and prominently indicate the date of expiration of the authorized in-transit driving privilege.

(g) No California certificate of ownership shall be issued.

(h) A manufacturer’s certificate of origin shall prominently indicate that the certificate is valid for transfer of ownership to the purchaser only outside of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(i) Notwithstanding Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, the manufacturer of a new motor vehicle sold to a foreign purchaser under the conditions specified in Section 6366.2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code shall reimburse the retailer for an amount equal to the sales tax and all registration charges and fees, and a penalty of 20 percent of those taxes, charges, and fees if the conditions of the in-transit permit are not met, as specified in this section.

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Section § 6700.2

This law section allows nonresidents who commute daily to operate their vehicle on California highways without state registration, provided they meet certain criteria. The vehicle must be a passenger or light commercial vehicle under 8,001 pounds with up to two axles, usually a pickup truck. It should be used mainly to transport people between their home in a neighboring state and their job in California and not for any business purpose in the state, aside from carrying personal items. Additionally, the commuter must have valid external vehicle identification and the related ID card. This regulation doesn't replace other registration exemptions and doesn't apply to residents of foreign countries.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 4000.4, subdivision (a) of Section 6700, or Section 6702, a nonresident daily commuter may operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this state only if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The motor vehicle is a passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle of less than 8,001 pounds unladen weight with not more than two axles of the type commonly referred to as a pickup truck.

(2) The motor vehicle is used regularly to transport passengers on the highways of this state principally between, and to and from, the place of residence in a contiguous state and the place of employment in this state by the owner of the motor vehicle and for no other business purpose.

(3) The motor vehicle is not used in the course of a business within this state, including the transportation of property other than incidental personal property between, and to or from, the place of residence in a contiguous state and the place of employment of the motor vehicle owner in this state.

(4) Nothing in paragraphs (2) and (3) prohibits a nonresident daily commuter operating a motor vehicle that displays currently valid external vehicle identification indicia and who possess a corresponding identification card issued pursuant to Section 6700.25 from using that vehicle for other lawful purposes.

(b) The exception to registration of a motor vehicle under the conditions specified in this section does not supersede any other exception to registration under other conditions provided by law.

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Section § 6700.3

This law section explains that nonresident daily commuters need to apply for an identification card and a special marker or 'indicia' for their vehicle. This should be done through the department using a specific form.

Applicants must provide their vehicle's license and identification numbers, the name of the vehicle's registered owner, and confirm they are nonresident daily commuters. They must also attest that their vehicle qualifies under certain rules and that their job is within a specified 35-mile radius.

(a) An application by a nonresident daily commuter for indicia and an identification card pursuant to Section 6700.25 shall be filed with the department.

(b) The department shall prescribe a form to be completed by the applicant which shall include all of the following information:

(1) The vehicle license number and the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle that will display the nonresident daily commuter indicia.

(2) The name of the registered owner of the vehicle that will display the indicia.

(3) A statement that the applicant is a nonresident daily commuter as defined in Section 435.5.

(4) A statement that the indicia will be displayed upon a qualified vehicle as specified in Section 6700.4.

(5) A statement that the place of employment of the nonresident daily commuter is within the 35-mile corridor specified in subdivision (d) of Section 6700.25.

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Section § 6700.4

If you regularly drive a vehicle from another state into California for work or other reasons, you need to show a special sign next to your rear license plate. You also have to keep an ID card with you in the car, and show it to a California police officer if they ask for it.

A nonresident daily commuter indicia shall be displayed in a location on the vehicle which is clearly visible and adjacent to the rear license plate. The corresponding nonresident daily commuter identification card shall be carried at all times in the assigned vehicle and shall be presented to any California peace officer upon demand.

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Section § 6700.25

This law allows nonresident daily commuters from nearby states to get a special vehicle identification and card that lets them drive into California without certain registration requirements. The identification is valid for two years and only applies to vehicles from states that offer similar privileges to Californians working there. Foreign countries' residents are not eligible. The vehicle must be licensed in another country and can only be driven up to 35 miles into California from the border. The Department of Motor Vehicles charges a $15 service fee for each vehicle.

(a) The department shall provide a nonresident daily commuter with external vehicle identification indicia and a corresponding identification card, upon application therefor and completion of the form required by Section 6700.3, which indicia and card shall be valid for a period of two years. A vehicle shall be exempt from Sections 4000.4 and 6700 when operated with the requisite indicia and otherwise in accordance with this chapter.

(b) Subdivision (a) applies only to residents and vehicles of residents of a contiguous state which has enacted laws that provide reciprocal privileges to California residents who are employed in the contiguous state. Subdivision (a) does not apply to residents of foreign countries.

(d) Subdivision (a) applies only to vehicles which are licensed in a foreign jurisdiction that are used to commute into California to a destination within a corridor in this state that parallels the border between California and the contiguous state and extends not more than 35 air miles into California from the border at any point. The privilege accorded by subdivision (a) shall be revoked by operation of the vehicle for commuter purposes beyond that 35-mile corridor.

(e) The department shall charge a service fee of fifteen dollars ($15) for each vehicle.

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Section § 6701

This law allows military members and their spouses to drive vehicles registered in another state without getting California registration if they meet certain conditions. They must display valid license plates from the foreign state, and those plates must be issued to the military member or spouse. The car should be registered in the state where the military person was last assigned or their permanent residence, and they must have proper insurance coverage. This rule doesn't apply to commercial vehicles used for business.

(a) Any nonresident owner of a vehicle registered in a foreign state who is a member or spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States on active duty within this state, and any resident owner of a vehicle registered in a foreign state who is a member or spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States returning from active duty in a foreign state, may operate the vehicle in this state without securing California registration after satisfying all of the following requirements:

(1) The license plates displayed on the vehicle are valid plates issued by a foreign jurisdiction.

(2) The vehicle registration and license plates are issued to the military person or spouse of the military person.

(3) The vehicle registration and license plates were issued by the foreign jurisdiction where the military person was last regularly assigned and stationed for duty by military orders or a jurisdiction claimed by the nonresident military person as the permanent state of residence.

(4) If the vehicle is a motor vehicle, the owner or driver has in force one of the forms of financial responsibility specified in Section 16021.

(b) For purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), military orders do not include military orders for leave, for temporary duty, or for any other assignment of any nature requiring the military person’s presence outside the foreign jurisdiction where the owner was regularly assigned and stationed for duty.

(c) This section applies to all vehicles owned by the military person or spouse except any commercial vehicle used in any business manner wherein the military person or spouse receives compensation.

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Section § 6702

If you're not a California resident but you have a business here and regularly use a vehicle that needs registration, you must register it right away when you bring it into the state.

Every nonresident, including any foreign corporation, having an established place of business within this state, and regularly using a vehicle of a type subject to registration under this code, shall immediately register the vehicle upon entry into this state.

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Section § 6703

If you've just left the US military and are coming into California, you don't have to register your car, trailer coach, or utility trailer right away. This exemption has specific conditions, which are detailed in another section, Section 6700.

Any person entering California following discharge from the armed forces of the United States is exempted from registration of passenger vehicles, trailer coaches, and utility trailers only, as provided for and under the conditions prescribed in Section 6700.

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