Hello
I’m leaving for college tomorrow (the 6th) I currently live in Washington but will be going to school in Redding California. I just have a couple questions about buying a car if I’m from out of state.
I’m only 17 and don’t turn 18 till February 17th can I even buy a car?
How could I register the car if I’m under 18 and my drivers license is from Washington?
I do want to live in California but for now I will be living in the college dorms. My mom is obviously going back to Washington once she drops me off. I’m really stressing out about this and would love some help.
I believe you would have to get a CA driver’s license to register the car in CA.In addition, your insurance rates will be through the roof. You should call the CA DMV to ask this question and get clarification. It would probably be much easier and less expensive to buy, register and insure a car in your home state and then bring it to CA for college. CA law says you have to register a car in this state within so many days if you move here. However, I believe there is and exception when you are not a permanent resident here but are only attending college. Again, call the DMV.
Generally in CA a minor can simply walk away from a contractual obligation at any time or shortly after they turn 18. So if I’m a seller I would not sell a car to a minor.
@ellarock26
CA resident here who had moved a vehicle from Hawaii to CA (and with Hawaii DL).
I agree with what was said previous that it’s probably better to buy the car in your home state, then work on registering it in CA, I believe you’d have 30-60 days to do so, but since you’re leaving for college in CA today . . .
As far as a DL in CA goes, if you’re under 18 then you can only apply for a provisional driver permit, which would require certain documentation from a guardian over age 18. If over 18, then your home state license is recognized by the State of CA until it expires (or until you choose to obtain a DL from CA). As far as the DL goes, I say wait until your 18th birthday coming up real soon, and then (a) use your home state DL until it expires or (b) apply for a CA DL at that time now that you’re 18 and don’t need any guardian permissions.
As far as I know, a minor can purchase a car in CA, but would need a co-owner at least age 18. So, if you purchased a vehicle, you would need to include a second person on the title who is at least age 18 and who is then majority owner. Once you turn 18, you can fill out some forms to remove the second owner so that you are the sole owner of the vehicle. Otherwise, if you wait until you yourself are 18, then you can purchase and be the sole owner of a vehicle in CA no problem. The caveat with this is that CA of course requires some minimum insurance and as a 17-18 year old driver with a DL less than 5 years, your insurance premiums can be considered relatively expensive. It is usually cheaper to remain on your parents’ or guardians’ vehicle insurance. CA law requires that you have proper minimum insurance before registering the vehicle in your name.
So on both accounts, ownership and registration, if you’re under 18, then you will require a co-signer. After 18, you will not, and you can maintain your WA DL until it expires or until you choose to apply for a CA DL instead, for which you MUST be a CA resident to obtain.