Get Vin Verification - A DMV Licensed Mobile Vehicle Verifier
New California Resident? Start Here

Welcome to California

Your straight-talking guide to registering an out-of-state vehicle — smog, insurance, the REG 31 VIN verification, and those golden plates.

Call (916) 664-9453 See the 4 Steps
Licensed Vehicle Verifier We Come To You Greater Sacramento

The Golden State Quest

We've broken down the out-of-state vehicle registration process into bite-sized steps so you can get your California plates and start cruising without the hassle.

Timeliness Matters

You generally have 20 days after establishing residency to register your vehicle.

4 Must-Do Registration Steps

1

Smog Check Saga

Your out-of-state vehicle likely needs a California Smog Check. Find a certified station! (Note: Diesel/Hybrid rules may differ.)

2

Proof of Insurance

You need liability insurance from a company authorized to do business in California. Time to shop around if you haven't already.

3

The Paperwork Pile

Gather your out-of-state title and/or registration card, completed Application (REG 343), Smog Certifiate, and proof of insurance.
Visit the DMV site for more info by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.

4

The DMV Visit

Schedule an appointment or walk in. Bring all of your documents. If you did not have your vehicle pre-verified by a mobile vin verifier first, bring your vehicle with you. If you can't drive your vehicle yet, hire a mobile vin verifier and obtain the REG 31 before going to the DMV. All vehicles that were last registered in another state require a REG 31 VIN Verification.

DMV VIN Verification or Mobile Verifier: Which Do You Actually Need?

Here's the honest answer: for most new California residents, letting the DMV verify your vehicle is the best option. You're already going to be inside that building. You have to register your out-of-state vehicle, and the majority of new residents also need to apply for a California driver's license or ID card on the same visit. The VIN verification is free when the DMV does it, and the inspection lane sits in the same parking lot you're already parked in.

That said, plenty of people still prefer to have the REG 31 Verification of Vehicle completed before they ever set foot in a DMV office. Common reasons we hear:

  • •Multiple vehicles to register — a spouse's car, a work truck, a trailer
  • •OHVs, dirt bikes, ATVs, or side-by-sides that can't legally be driven to a DMV office
  • •A vehicle that isn't running, isn't insured yet, or isn't safe to drive
  • •A vehicle stored far from the nearest office, or blocked in behind other vehicles
  • •Not wanting to spend another 1–2 hours waiting in the inspection lane
  • •Wanting the paperwork done so the counter visit is one clean trip

Both paths end in the same place: a completed REG 31. If you don't mind the extra wait, the DMV route costs you nothing but time — so below we've mapped out exactly where the verification lane is at several local offices.

One Thing Nobody Can Tell You for Certain: the Order of Operations

We'll be straight with you — we do not know the DMV's exact policy on the order of operations, and it appears to differ from office to office.

Can you pull into the inspection lane first, get your VIN verified, and then go inside, take a number, and wait? Some people report exactly that. Others are told they must go inside first, wait, pay their fees, and receive an RDF (Report of Deposit of Fees) stating that a Verification of Vehicle is required. Then they walk back out to the parking lot, drive around to the verification lane, wait for the DMV verifier, get the REG 31 completed, park again, walk back inside — and hope they aren't waiting another hour to submit the final documents and receive their license plates and registration card.

We hear a different version of this story from nearly every DMV location. Call your specific office ahead of time and ask how they handle it — it can save you a very long afternoon.

See the Verification Lane Before You Go

Every DMV office puts its inspection lane in a different spot, and the signage isn't always obvious. Tap a location below to open Google Street View and see the actual lane — this is where you'll wait in your vehicle for a DMV employee to come out and verify your VIN.

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Not Sure If You Need a VIN Verification?

Chat with Get Vin Assistant – our virtual helper can check your eligibility, answer DMV questions, and even tell you a joke to lighten the mood!

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The Smarter Way:
Get Verified Before You Go

By hiring a Licensed Mobile Vehicle Verifier to come to your home or office before going to the DMV, you:

  • Skip the Inspection Lane: Arrive with the completed REG 31 in hand.
  • Cut the Wait: Head straight to the counter (one trip only) to submit paperwork.
Call to Schedule: (916) 664-9453

Pro Tip: Your car's mileage (odometer reading) is required on the form, so have it handy!

Want the official DMV info on out-of-state vehicle registration?

Visit California DMV Official Guide