Question about bringing a European car to California

[DarkoNova]

Need some clarification on what's legal and what's not, here. I'm looking at buying a BMW from a guy on the east coast. He says he legally imported it a while back from the UK. He has a clean title and the registration. The thing is, it's right hand drive. I don't think that matters but I'm hearing conflicting reports from people. Some say it shouldn't matter because USPS mail trucks are rhd, too. But others say rhd cars are illegal in California.

Then there's the smog stuff. It's an '88 3 series, though. I had one a few years ago and the only smog stuff I remember was an O2 sensor and a cat. I don't even think it had an egr valve, but I could be wrong. I'm under the impression that it will basically have to comply with an American 3 series of the same year. Seems simple enough.

I was going to call the CHP and the DMV to see what they knew about it but of course it's the weekend so they're closed. So I figured there has to be someone here that knows how the process works.

I'm thinking that since he already imported it and has the title and registration, he did most of the work. Hopefully I'm right, lol.

[nokones]

There is nothing in the California Vehicle Code (CVC) that states a vehicle has to be a left-hand drive vehicle. Any car imported to this country has to be what is called "Federalized". That means, smog (devices and emission levels), approved lighting devices and side markers, seat belts, etc. In this case, you don't have to worry about airbags since airbags were not a requirement for 1988 year model cars.

The VIN should have 17 digits. The VIN may have "ZZZ" in the middle of the VIN sequence. The "ZZZ" designates that it is a "Gray Market Car" but, since the vehicle is a right-hand drive, this may not be the case. The "ZZZ" designation in the VIN may be only used for the left-hand european built cars because the right hand drive cars are obviously european.

Your best bet, is contact DMV and they will tell you the process in registering the car. You will still have to start the process at DMV so bring all the paperwork (Bill of sale, Title and registration documents, any shipping documents, US and foreign Customs documents, US federal certification documents) with you to the DMV. Oh yah, don't forget your checkbook but, they do take ATM cards. Don't forget to make an appointment and you can do that on-line.

After you start the registration process, you will have to get the car inspected, both smog and VIN verification. DMV will give you a document for the VIN verification and the Smog Station will give you a document for the smog inspection which is for your records because the actual smog inspection certification is electronic to DMV.

In my opinion, there is no need to call them on the phone and wait two hours to talk to somebody that will end up saying, come into the office with all your papers. CHP will probably tell you, call or go to DMV for the reg stuff.

[DarkoNova]

Awesome, thanks a LOT!

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Don't forget the BAR nazis, call them too

[bs46488]

Hey Matt,

Good luck. I find the DMV part of old cars the hardest thing. All of us can cut, weld, paint, rebuild almost anything on these cars...but then the DMV issue is the worst to deal with.

I've had a better experience going to one of those registration places, rather than the actual DMV. The last one I went to here in San Diego has experience with the older cars and can help get you through the process. I registered my first classic at the DMV and the process was painful. I registered my second classic at the registration place and I would only consider the process annoying (at the most)

[DarkoNova]

What kind of registration place is that?

I have another question, this time about paperwork. The last time I bought a used car was like 8 years ago. I remember signing something, I think it was the title. And then I got something else. Do I have to be there to sign that stuff or can the guy mail it to me? I mean, I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable sending cash to someone and hoping they'd send me the proper paperwork, but the car isn't drivable right now. So I have to have it shipped, so if I have to be there to sign the paperwork, that means I have to fly out there for all of 5 minutes and then fly back.

I'm really trying to avoid that, if at all possible.

[nokones]

It is a Registration Service that is authorized by DMV to process your documents for you, and of course, for a nominal fee which is additional to the regular DMV fees.