How to Register a Leased Vehicle Coming from Out of State in California
We can help you register your leased vehicle in California, fast and easy, and most importantly, we help you with the required documents. Call us for an appointment: 408-258-4000.
1. An application for registration in CA: REG 343.
If you are leasing a vehicle, the application for registration form must be signed by the company leasing the vehicle, and you. You can have the lessor sign the REG 343, or they can send you a notarized power of attorney authorizing you to sign the REG 343 on their behalf. Only originals are accepted.
2. The name and address of both: the leasing company, and the lien holder.
Most of the time they are not the same company. The names and addresses have to be accurate. Contact the leasing company and/or the finance company if you do not have that information.
3. The Latest Registration Card for the vehicle (original).
If you do not have it, contact the DMV from the state where the vehicle is registered and ask for one.
4. A smog check done in California. All vehicles, except gasoline powered 1975 year model or older, electric, motorcycles, Diesel powered 1997 year model and older or with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of more than 14,000 lbs. The exemption for vehicles 6 or less model years old applies only to vehicles currently registered in California. You can search online for smog check stations to find one near you.
5. A vehicle identification number (VIN) verification. We do it at our office and we have the required form. It consists of verifying that the vehicle identification number in your out of state documents matches the one on the vehicle, that the vehicle has a Federal Certification Label (usually on the driver's side door jamb). It also verifies whether the vehicle engine complies with emission systems requirements for California. Read more about VIN verification here.
For leased commercial vehicles (including pick-up trucks and cargo vans)
-A weight certificate. Only if your vehicle is a pick-up, truck, or will be registered as a commercial vehicle: commercial/cargo van, etc. This is required only if your out of state title or registration does not specify the "shipping," "tare," "WT/Wheels" or "unladen" weight of the vehicle. These four types of weight mean the same thing. But they must be specified as such. For licensed public scales locations in California click here. Please make sure your weight certificate lists the weight type as "tare," "unladen" or "shipping."
