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shipping a car from Hawaii to California?

My son is shipping me a car from Hawaii to California. Will there be smog rules or anything like that? He wants to keep the car in his name and pay the insurance while he's overseas. What DMV responsibilities will I have?

Public Comments

1. Check with Matson regarding picking up the car--you will need some type of notarized statement from your son. Being military, it should not be a problem to keep the Haawaii plates and keep the insurance in his name (but you will need CA insurance).
2. You will need a Power of Attorney to pick up the vehicle from the shipping company. If it is a vehicle from the past 10 or so years it should not be a problem at all. You will have to have a POA as well to register the vehicle in his name and he will need to add your name to the insurance policy. The policy must be changed over to California when it arrives.
3. California's smog rules are stricter than Hawaii, so no need for a smog check. You will need a periodic safety check here. Keep it insured, but match the insurance to how it is actually being used. Keep it registered too. DMVs are around. Satellite City Hall is the place to go. Yup, need the POA to pick it up. Usually a copy of his ID, ask the shipper.