Hey guys,
I’m a new york resident but I just moved to San Francisco last week. Some of my new jobs look like they might require extensive travel so I am looking into cars (I did not bring one with me).
First of all, can you buy a car in California as a New York resident? If so, how would you get license plates, etc-do you go to the dmv before or after you buy the ride?
Thanks for any tips 
I know nothing about being from out-of-state, but the last time I bought a new car, the DMV mailed my new plates to my home address without me asking for them, or doing anything. I think it’s one of the things the dealership takes care of.
Welcome to San Francisco!
Are you planning to buy a new or used car? If you’re buying new, the dealership will send in the forms and you’ll get the plates several weeks later. Unlike NY, it’s legal to drive around without the plates until you get them.
I don’t know anything about buying as an out of state resident, but if you’re living in San Francisco full-time, you’re probably not an out of state resident. It might be a good idea to check on that for tax purposes. The CA DMV website is remarkably useful. Here’s the buying a car page. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/topbuysell.htm (The link button isn’t working for me.) If you ever need to go in to the DMV, you can make an appointment online that makes it somewhat shorter.
First, there is only a short time you are allowed to not have a CA license if you are a registrant. You have to take a written test - I’d advise you to study, since I’ve had licenses in five states, and CA has the hardest test.
As for buying a car, no big deal. If it is new, when you drive the car off the lot you get a piece of paper that goes on your upper right windshield and is good until the plates come. I just bought a new car, and have never been stopped. We bought a used car from a dealer about 10 years ago and I think the same thing applies.
Definitely make a reservation at DMV, and do it now. It takes a while to get a slot, but when you do it goes quickly. I had a CA license by the time I bought a car here, but I assure you that a dealer will do what is necessary to get you a car.
When you open a bank account, on the other hand, be prepared to tell them the name of your first grade teacher and give them your sequenced DNA. For some reason the law assumes that anyone opening an account is a money launderer at best or a terrorist at worst, and you have to prove otherwise.
I moved to California last fall for grad school and bought a used car shortly thereafter. There really wasn’t any problem at all with residency or other issues, and the dealer took care of most of the DMV paperwork so the whole process was relatively painless. As for getting a California license, the DMV says the following:
I kept my out of state license for about six months after moving, then got a California license when I registered to vote. Getting an appointment at the DMV is definitely a good idea, it saves a lot of time that you’d otherwise spend waiting in line. Many routine DMV services are now provided online as well.
Bwuh? So when you buy a car in New York, you’re not allowed to drive it until the plates come? How do you get the car home? Please explain to this lifelong California/Oregon resident.
In some states, the plates are sent to the dealer, and you can’t drive the car off the lot until the dealer has put the plates on the car.
AFAIK, this nuttiness is fairly well limited to New England.
Regarding the DMV - pay VERY close attention to the local office’s hours. Expect them to be closed on some Fridays and weekends, and expect them to be swarmed on Monday, especially after a furloguh weekend.
The dealer has a stack of plates, and they just give you one. It makes more sense than driving around with no plates for weeks.