Registering a few (used) cars in LA

1. https://www.vrtservices.com/
2. 1975 and older.
3. Yes, but it's not mileage limited but instead use limited.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/vehicle-industry-registration-procedures-manual-2/special-plates/historical-vehicle-and-horseless-carriage-license-plates/

 

I registered a 1948 Lincoln Continental convertible that I bought in Dallas at the DMV in CA. Easy least, just make sure the you know where to find the Connor any other number that is in the registration. 5 min work, you can easily do this yourself. Hagerty will insure you in CA for the drive to the DMV. This is for all cars from before 1975.

for all other cars, the links above are great. Practically, if you have an OBDII just make sure all your monitors are set/closed.

good luck!!

 

There's this in Playa... not sot far

https://wccs.com/car-storage-los-angeles

 

The DMV will property need a Vin Verification done. Most of the DMV offices have people in the back outside doing them but can be a wait if busy. Bus its free.

If the cars are not running well enough to drive, or you want to register them all together at the same time, there are Mobile Vin Verification people that will come to you to check the numbers and fill out the needed DMV forms for you to take to register them.
The cost runs about $75 per vehicle.

 

First off, just to throw some California-specific automobile ownership optimism your way, the laws and the process for doing this stuff is not that different from most states. Of course the DMV fees are high, but that kinda goes with the program. Would be nice if the smog testing requirement was revised to apply to post-OBDII cars, but organizations are trying. Best thing we have: no annual vehicle inspections! (I deal with this in New York and it is a royal pain).

Requirements
Every out-of-state car requires a VIN # verification as part of the process and, depending on the model year, a smog test. Need to have your out-of-state Title in hand.

VIN Verification
Can be done at the many privately-owned businesses that do DMV processing. Many are just small store-front places. As for mobile Vin Verification, I've never had that done but I imagine some of those brick and mortar private "DMV" places offer that.

Smog Test
If a car is 1976 and newer, it needs the official CA smog test (and will also need it every two years after that). BTW, newer cars do not require smog tests: eight model years and newer and four model years and newer do not require a change-of-ownership Smog Check. Smog testing places are all over the place. Make sure it is a "Test Only" location.

Great smog test spot I have used in Torrance (near 90275) is called "Earnie & Frank's" - they can actually drive a manual!

AAA vs. DMV Office
Most people I know do all their DMV work at an AAA office; of course you need to have an AAA Roadside membership account. Their DMV service is included with membership. (And there is no requirement to also have AAA insurance.) AAA can do the VIN Verification and can process the title transfer documents - the entire process. You just have to have done any required smog tests done prior to your AAA visit if you want to get your registration and license plate all in one trip (your new CA Title will be sent in the mail, takes about a month).

Just a note: if a vehicle being brought into CA was bought at an out-of-state new/used dealership and is being road registered and titled for the first time in your name, the process has to be done at an actual state DMV location. (There are some things that AAA - and the private DMV businesses - are not authorized to do.)

If your needs do require a visit to a Los Angeles area DMV location, the process has gotten so much better over the years via their appointment system. Very short waits. But my only direct experience is with the "West Hollywood" location (they do registrations only). If you need a CA DL, go to the nearby "Hollywood" office (driver's licenses only).

Storage
As for car storage, the aforementioned West Coast Car Storage has a closer location to the 90275, in the South Bay, https://wccs.com/South-Bay-Location. There are a couple storage spots in the San Fernando Valley that would presumably be less costly - I believe Hagerty owns one. But check it out, seems like these have been spawning all over.

Non-Operation Status
A nice option in CA if you have a vehicle that you will not be driving for a while is to put the car on "Non-Op" status. It allows you to pay just a fraction of the normal annual registration renewal fees as well as avoid the smog testing (until you take it off Non-Op).

If you need any more help, send me a message.