How to Buy a Car in Another State

Purchasing a vehicle in Elk Grove or anywhere else always a significant investment. If the vehicle you want is from an out-of-state dealership, you probably have extra questions like those about registration, fees, and taxes. To help ease any anxiety you might be experiencing, learn how to buy a car in another state from the finance experts at Kareem Auto Sales Inc! Review what you need to know about buying a car out of state today and contact us with questions. If our dealership in Sacramento is the out-of-state dealer you’re interested in, we will set up a test drive whenever it’s convenient for you! 

Registering a Car Bought in Another State

When you drive home in a pre-owned car for sale in CA, the first thing you may be asking yourself is how to register that car in the state you’re from. Adding your license plate on a vehicle that was taken over state lines only requires a few documents and a trip to the DMV. 

1. Ask for a bill of sale that has the purchase price you paid listed clearly and find your local DMV on a website like DMV Near Me.
2. When you visit your local DMV, make sure to have the following items with you:
1. Bill of sale
2. Completed application for vehicle transaction form
3. Title of the vehicle signed by the previous owner
4. Lienholders’ names and address
5. Filled out odometer disclosure state for title transfer
6. Tax Form RUT-50 Private Party Vehicle Tax Transaction
7. Registration fees
8. Proof of insurance
9. Proof of residency

Let the DMV clerk know that you purchased the car out of state with the intent of titling and registering it at your address.

1. The clerk will most likely return your bill of sale, but they will keep your CA title and ask that you pay the appropriate difference in sales tax between the two states. 
2. Keep your eye on your mailbox for a new title.

Taxes and Fees on Out-of-State Cars

Your local sales tax, the difference between CA and the other state’s sales tax, and any applicable processing fees at your DMV are the only major payments that you will need to make beyond the purchase price of your new-to-you car, truck, or SUV should you choose to purchase in CA. Don’t worry about having to pay hundreds of extra dollars because the process is most likely the same as if you were registering a new car from Roseville or Folsom. 

Visit Kareem Auto Sales Inc Today to Get Started! 

Now that you know how to buy a car in another state, do you have any questions for our team? Call (916) 473-1656 or contact us online today to start the buying process. We are here to answer all of your questions about buying a car out of state and assist you however we can. Continue your auto finance research with our guides on used vehicle red flags and whether you can finance a car with no credit! We also invite you to fill out our credit application!