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  #1  
Old 30 Jan 2011
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California bike registration time?
Hey

A very quick question - how long does it take to register a bike to my name in California? If it's slow, is there any way to speed up the process?

I'll be based in the SF Bay Area, probably staying in Fairfield predominantly - is there a local office where I could get it done quickly?

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 31 Jan 2011
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You need to give us more information.
Where are you from, are you a tourist or working in california ?
Will you establish residency ?
Where is the bike from, USA ?, Europe ?
If it is from Europe it will you can ride it around as a tourist but to register it you would have to go throught the Customs and EPA.
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Old 31 Jan 2011
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Sorry about that!

I'm buying a bike from Craigslist that's already Californian registered.

I'm coming from the United Kingdom as a tourist strictly, but I have a Californian address (family's address) and have US citizenship too. I'll be using an International Driving Permit, but am willing to get a Californian driving license if it speeds up the process.

I need the registration as I'll be be passing through customs from California to Mexico and on into Central and South America.

Thanks
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Old 31 Jan 2011
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It took DMV 2 months to post out the new numberplate for my Californian bike last May.

As it had been lodged with DMV already the VIN in a national computer system so I had no problems getting into Canada (showing DMV form copy and insurnace). Also had no problems returning to the US when customs just punched in the VIN to the border control computer system and said 'yep - we have you on record so you're fine'
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Old 31 Jan 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IncompletePete View Post
Sorry about that!

I'm buying a bike from Craigslist that's already Californian registered.

I'm coming from the United Kingdom as a tourist strictly, but I have a Californian address (family's address) and have US citizenship too. I'll be using an International Driving Permit, but am willing to get a Californian driving license if it speeds up the process.

I need the registration as I'll be be passing through customs from California to Mexico and on into Central and South America.

Thanks
Pete, to get your permit will cost you $25 and takes about an hour or so, a photo, 25 questions, ( at your local DMV) and you can retake the test up to 3 times the same day without paying extra. it pays to read the pass your test book they give you free, as a couple of the questions are actually not as it seems

once you get permit you can ride any size bike, but not at night or on the freeway or with a passenger,

the riding the bike test takes 12 minutes and is easier than falling off a log......or a bike. takes a few weeks in summer to get appointment, in winter, usually a day or two

M
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Old 31 Jan 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mudmaps View Post
It took DMV 2 months to post out the new numberplate for my Californian bike last May.

As it had been lodged with DMV already the VIN in a national computer system so I had no problems getting into Canada (showing DMV form copy and insurnace). Also had no problems returning to the US when customs just punched in the VIN to the border control computer system and said 'yep - we have you on record so you're fine'
So, provided that I complete the forms correctly and mail them to the DMV, I can cross from California and on into Mexico using the DMV form copy? How long would it take for the transfer to hit their computers roughly?

I guess that's the only way for people like me given the 2 month turnaround for the DMV to send out the updated ownership documents?

Ideally I'd like to turn up at ANY DMV office in California and sort the paperwork right there and then which I understand is what you can do in Montana.

Thanks
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Last edited by IncompletePete; 31 Jan 2011 at 14:14.
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Old 31 Jan 2011
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I think (but not sure) that the license plate stays with the bike in California.
You will get your reistration at the DVM and the bikes title will be mailed to your California address.

There is no need to get a California drivers license, it would just complicate things.
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Old 31 Jan 2011
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Yea, the plates seem to remain. I'll ring the local DMV office and see what info I can get!

How likely am I to get over the Mexican border with just a copy of the transfer slip?
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Old 5 Feb 2011
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More research reveals that I'll definitely need the final ownership title in my name to cross the border. Is there ANY DMV office in California which can do it on the day?

Thanks
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Old 6 Feb 2011
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Try Colorado
Quote:
Originally Posted by IncompletePete View Post
More research reveals that I'll definitely need the final ownership title in my name to cross the border. Is there ANY DMV office in California which can do it on the day?

Thanks
If you are in a big hurry and prepared to go out of state I believe that you can buy in Colorado and drive away that day with everything you need title wise.
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  #11  
Old 11 Feb 2011
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I've found a solution. I've sent the DMV Power of Attorney form over to my uncle who is going to register the bike in my absence. Hopefully the new title documents will have arrived when I'm there in 5 weeks time!
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