How To Register A Right Hand Drive Car In California

Driving a rhd in a lhd world now that you know a bit more about rhd vehicles you may be wondering what it s like to drive on the right side in a lhd world.

How to register a right hand drive car in california. At 25 years old a legally imported vehicle is fmvss exempt. Next drive the car to your nearest smog station to make sure it passes california s emission regulations. Individuals that wish to drive an imported car with a right hand steering column must register the vehicle for operation within the united states. If you ve recently bought or been given a car and live in california you must first register it with the state and pay all necessary fees before you can legally drive it. The process is relatively short and entitles you to legally drive the car just like any typical american automobile.

Classic vehicles are emissions exempt and so you only require a valid safety certification and an insurance policy and then you can hit the pavement. Here are a few things i have learned by driving a right hand drive car every day in southern california pros. Right hand drive vehicles are common in europe. To register your out of state car in california start by locating your current title or registration and bill of sale to prove that you own your car. Importing a right hand drive vehicle.

When moving from out of state you re also responsible for registering your out of state car in california within 20 days of establishing residency. Home vehicle registration vehicle registration. In this section new registration. It s a good conversation starter. Dealership purchase if you bought from a licensed dealer certain registration tasks may be taken care of for you.

Handbooks learn the laws and rules of the road in preparation for your drive and knowledge tests. Registering your classic jdm vehicle once your vehicle arrives you would go about registering it much the same way you would with any other vehicle. It is possible for a right hand drive rhd vehicle to be manufactured in compliance with the fmvss. Releasing it from the port is a long task and registering it with the dmv is no picnic. Buying a car in a foreign country is hard transporting the car can be a challenge.

As long as the car meets us safety standards and is properly registered there are no penalties or fees for driving a right hand drive vehicle. If you need to register a vehicle for use on california roadways waterways or trailways you ve come to the right place. If you need to register a vehicle for use on california roadways waterways or trailways you ve come to the right place to find out all you need to. If you don t know where your nearest smog station is you can locate it at smogcheck ca gov.