I just moved to California. How do I go about registering my car? I've heard of California's strict laws.

You're first step should be to visit a local, California Department of Motor Vehicles Field Office. This is where you will receive instructions on completing the vehicle registration process. The first step will more then likely involve taking your vehicle to a reputable smog station and obtaining a California Smog Certificate. If you've heard about California's strict smog laws there is no need to worry. There IS a difference with California legal and Federal legal emission requirements, and for the most part, California is stricter. However, a vehicle which is equipped with the neccessary Federal Emission Components is eligible for California registration as long as the vehicle's exhaust emissions fall within California's limits. It's true, in some cases Federal cars have different or less emission components, but this does not ban them from California.

California Insurance - Our state law requires that once you become a resident of California you get a state driver's license, and also register and insure you car in this state within 10 days of moving or arriving here.

California state law also requires all motor vehicle owners to have insurance which provides Bodily Injury Coverage and Vehicle Damage Coverage. Auto insurance will be required prior to your vehicle's registration being completed.

Minimum Requirements - The required minimum coverage for bodily injury is $15,000 per person injured in any one accident and $30,000 for all persons injured in any one accident.

The minimum coverage required for vehicle damage is $5,000 for injury to or the destruction of property of others in any one auto or car accident.

Please note these are only minimum car insurance coverage requirements, and are in place mainly for the protection of the other driver and his or her vehicle.

In order to insure your own vehicle you must have purchased comprehensive and collision insurance. Comprehensive and collision insurance is not required by the state of California but is highly recommended. You will need this coverage to pay for your own vehicle's repairs as opposed to the other person's vehicle in the unfortunate event of an auto accident.