How to register out-of-state car in California?

[240meowth]

Hello, new here.

I've never purchased an out-of-state car before and wanted to run by you guys to see if there's any hidden fees or something that I need to look out for.

I am helping a friend to buy a 2006 honda civic with Idaho plates. The owner just drove it down from Idaho and the registration will expire in Idaho in a month. What's the process of getting it registered in california?

-I've read you have to read the emissions saying that it meets 50-state emission requirement?

-of course I have to smog the car

-go down to DMV fill out the title transfer

what else?

[wangan_cruiser]

Ask dmv what else u need to do.

[Swiffly_Swan]

A bill of sale is needed along with a copy of the current Idaho registration. The DMV will also inspect and match all VINs. After all info is processed, the DMV will issue you your new CA title & plates. I just registered my Florida state s14 to California. :) You can also request a Temporary Operating Permit or (TOP) if your car doesn't pass smog. It's nowhere near as complicated as people think.

[240meowth]

A bill of sale is needed along with a copy of the current Idaho registration. The DMV will also inspect and match all VINs. After all info is processed, the DMV will issue you your new CA title & plates. I just registered my Florida state s14 to California. :) You can also request a Temporary Operating Permit or (TOP) if your car doesn't pass smog. It's nowhere near as complicated as people think.

What is a bill-of-sale? i will be buying the car from a private party that's here in california.

Nevermind, found this, so just fill it out?

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg135.pdf

[240meowth]

A bill of sale is needed along with a copy of the current Idaho registration. The DMV will also inspect and match all VINs. After all info is processed, the DMV will issue you your new CA title & plates. I just registered my Florida state s14 to California. :) You can also request a Temporary Operating Permit or (TOP) if your car doesn't pass smog. It's nowhere near as complicated as people think.

Also, was the fees scary? How much did it come out to?

[Swiffly_Swan]

Also, was the fees scary? How much did it come out to?
I thought the fees were going to empty my pockets lol. But to my suprise, i ended up only paying $143 out the door. Thats because the previous owner had just paid the registration in FL back in September 2013 and i transferred it last month. I told the DMV that i paid $500 for the s14 to avoid expensive CA taxes. Also, No proof of insurance is needed either.

[Swiffly_Swan]

But since his tags are about to expire, they are going to charge you for the registration too.

[fliprayzin240sx]

What usually kicks your ass when you buy a car and register it is the sales tax. So if you can convince the seller to write a lower price on bill of sale or title (some states have a bill of sale attached to the title), the lower you'd have to pay for sales tax.