Purchasing a car from a private seller in CA as a PA resident

Can out of state residents buy a car in California?

Yes, in most cases, purchasing a car in another state is possible, but there’s more involved compared to buying locally. Vehicle registration, sales tax, and emissions laws vary by state.

Can I buy a car in CA without a CA license?

There are a lot of conditions you’ll normally have to meet, and you would need to have a license for you to drive it. But, do you need a license to buy a car in California? You can buy a car without having a license. You’ll have to deal with obstacles with financing, insurance, registration, test-driving, and delivery.

Does a bill of sale have to be notarized in PA?

Selling a New Vehicle

The seller’s signature is required to be notarized or verified on the Pennsylvania title. The seller’s signature may be required to be notarized on some out-of-state titles. The seller will need to provide the authorized PennDOT agent with proper proof of identification (PDF).

Can any PA notary notarize a car title?

Any Pennsylvania notary public may notarize state documents and titles.

Can I buy a car in CA and register in another state?

You must register your vehicle from out of state with the California DMV within 20 days after you brought it into the state and remain as the owner of the vehicle, or within 20 days after purchasing an out of state or non-resident vehicle in California to avoid penalties.

Do I have to pay California taxes if I buy a car out of state?

Yes, unless you purchased and used your car outside California for at least 12 months before you brought it into the state. If you owe use tax, it will be based upon the purchase price of the car, minus whatever sales tax you paid to another state. You can pay the tax to the DMV when you register the car in California.

How do I avoid sales tax if I buy a car out of state?

To take advantage of no sales tax cars, you would have to purchase the vehicle in another state that doesn’t charge a sales tax. Several different states don’t charge sales tax on a used car. These states include Alaska, Montana, Delaware, Oregon, and New Hampshire.

Do I need a smog check to register my out of state car in California?

Buying/Importing Out of State Vehicle

If you just moved to California with your out of state vehicle, or you bought or are planning on buying an out of state car, in order to register it, you will need to obtain a California smog check.

How do I transfer an out of state title in California?

To transfer a title, you will always need:

1. Either the California Certificate of Title or an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) (if the title is missing).
2. The signature(s) of seller(s) and lienholder (if any).
3. The signature(s) of buyer(s).
4. A transfer fee.

Can you do a title transfer online in PA?

eTags PA is licensed by PennDOT, but instead of filing in-person, our titles services are processed online saving you time, with no appointment needed. Our Title Specialists require: The current PA title, completely filled out and including mileage. A valid, state-issued ID such as a driver’s license.

Do you need a notary to transfer a car title in PA?

When you sell a car in Pennsylvania you must go through a PA car title transfer. However, the state of Pennsylvania requires a notary title transfer, which means when you sign your title a notary must be present.

How do I transfer an out-of-state title in PA?

Transferring a Vehicle Title When You Have an Out-of-State Title

1. The original out-of-state vehicle title.
2. A completed application for a certificate of ownership.
3. A completed Pennsylvania vehicle registration application.
4. Proof of a valid PA vehicle insurance policy.
5. Proof of identification (ex. A valid driver’s license)

How do I register an out of state car in PA?

If you moved to Pennsylvania from out-of-state, you need the following:

1. Application for Certificate of Title for a Pennsylvania title and surrender your out-of-state title.
2. Proof of Pennsylvania auto insurance.
3. Tracing or verification of the VIN.
4. Applicable fees and taxes.
5. Power of Attorney, if leasing a vehicle.

How much does it cost to notarize a car title in PA?

FEE SCHEDULE

SERVICE	FEES	AGENT SERVICE FEE
Title Transfer Only	$58.00	$60.00
Transfer Title & Issue New Plate	$58.00	$90.00
Transfer Title & Existing Reg. Plate	$67.00	$60.00
Transfer Reg. Plate, Same Owner	$9.00 + County Fee	$60.00

What do you need for a title transfer in PA?

The title transfer requirements in Pennsylvania include: An original and valid Certificate of Title. Proof of Identification. Payment of fees.
These include:

1. A valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
2. A valid Pennsylvania ID card.
3. A valid U.S. Armed Forces Common Access Card.

Can you register a car online in Pennsylvania?

Renewing Your Registration. Renewing your vehicle and/or trailer registration can, in most cases, be completed online, at any of PennDOT’s Online Messenger services or through the mail.

What is required to register a car in PA?

Proof of Pennsylvania insurance, such as a valid insurance identification card, declaration page of an insurance policy, a copy of a valid binder or a copy of an application for insurance to the Pennsylvania Assigned Risk Plan for all of the vehicles you will be registering.

Can you buy a car without a title in PA?

You can buy a car without a title, but it should be approached with extreme caution. It involves researching the car’s history, talking to the seller, getting a bill of sale, (potentially) getting a lost title bond, and registering the car in your name.

How much does it cost to transfer tags and title in PA?

Answer provided by. It costs $53 to transfer a car title in Pennsylvania. But you won’t need to worry about the fee if you’re selling. The buyer is responsible for paying the title fee.

What is the sales tax in Pennsylvania for a used car?

6%

Pennsylvania sales tax is 6% of the purchase price or the current market value of the vehicle (7% for residents of Allegheny County and 8% for City of Philadelphia residents).

How do I get a title with a bill of sale in PA?

Pennsylvania Bill of Sale

1. Bill of sale (Form MV-426B)
2. Verification of vehicle identification number (Form MV-41)
3. Application for duplicate title (Form MV-38O)
4. Self-certification of exemption from tax status certificate (Form MV-16T)
5. Self certification for proof of residency (Form MV-8)

Do you need a bill of sale in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania does not require a bill of sale. It doesn’t play a role in the titling or registration process—all that is needed is for the seller to sign the title over to the buyer once the sale is complete.

How do you transfer title on a car?

First, the seller has to release ownership of the car by signing the title. The buyer then takes the signed title to the DMV, and the state issues a new registration and title. Some states might require additional paperwork to complete the process, such as a bill of sale or a transfer of ownership form.

How do you calculate sales tax on a car in PA?

Pennsylvania sales tax is 6% of the purchase price or current market value of the vehicle (7% for Allegheny County and 8% for the City of Philadelphia). If you trade in a vehicle, only the difference between the value of the trade-in vehicle and the purchase price of the new vehicle is taxed.

Who is exempt from sales tax in PA?

Major items exempt from the tax include food (not ready-to-eat); candy and gum; most clothing; textbooks; computer services; pharmaceutical drugs; sales for resale; and residential heating fuels such as oil, electricity, gas, coal and firewood. The Pennsylvania sales tax rate is 6 percent.

How much is tax title and registration in PA?

In addition to the state and local taxes, there will be other fees due when you purchase a car in Pennsylvania. These fees will be collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles as you make your vehicle street-legal: Title fee: $51. Registration fee: $35-$84.