Auto Registration between states

Hey Folks. Got a question for all out there who may know.

I’m a Florida resident, stationed in CA in the Air Force. My wife and I bought a car here in the people’s republic, and I am curious about the details of transferring it to the other state.

First of all, if I keep the CA registration and tags, will I have to take it for the emmissions test every year, after we leave? Even if we’re not in the state? How can a california-spec test be done out of state? If so, I’d much rather get it registered in FL where they don’t bother with inspections.

Second: Can I register the car in FL even though I’m not actually residing there (I still have a FL license, and don’t have to pay state income taxes as FL has none)

Third: Does anyone know the details of GA registration (that’s where we’ll be next) such as cost to renew, inspections, whether you have to put a second tag on the front of the car (quite possibly the ugliest thing save for a 7 foot tall spoiler that can be done to a car), etc.

Fourth, will the fact that the car is financed here mean that the registration can’t be changed.

Registering a car in FL is easy, it can all be done by mail. Basically, you download the registration form off their web site www.hsmv.state.fl.us . Then you just have a police officer (or several other types of people) verify the VIN. Although the form doesn’t state it, the rules allow you to have a commissioned officer of the military verify it as well, which would make it really easy for you. There is no inspection required, so all you need is the VIN verification, mail it in, and you’re done.

Don’t know about your other questions.

If your car is not present in California, you do not have to get an emissions test until you return it to California.

(I looked for a cite for this, couldn’t find one right offhand. But this is based on my own experience having registered a car in California while I was residing in Washington, DC - the car had never had a CA smog check, but I was told that once I brought it into the state, I had 20 days to get it looked at.)

The Georgia website for emissions test information is http://www.cleanairforce.com. Only the counties in the Metro Atlanta area require emissions testing, and it costs $25. I think that you’ve got 30 days to register your car once you move to GA. There’s no tag on the front of the car in GA, and the cost to register/tax varies by what county you’re in. This website may be helpful in that area: http://www2.state.ga.us/departments/dor/ptd/adm/mvman.html