I live in Cali, but my car is registered in North Carolina. Since NC only issues one plate with the vehicle, do you think the cops around the LA area will make me register my car in Cali to have two plates for the front and back.

 

You're supposed to register your car ASAP to get CA plates. But if you're registered in another state they typically won't pull you over for it.

I just moved to CA a few months ago and I registered my car. My wife didn't. She hasn't had any issues and her tint is super dark.

 

yah so far i have been hassled for it. i guess the cops where i live arent too much of a-holes. i guess i can just wait until my registration is up to get cali plates.

 

If you're caught living in California with out of state registration they'll make you pay for the months you were living in California with the wrong plates - so you'll end up paying double. I hope you've told your insurance company the truth as you may end up having to return the car to South Carolina following an accident to get it repaired.

I was in the military for 24 years and it was an all too common way to defraud the insurance companies ... who's answer was following an accident that you insurance covers the car in North Dakota not South Central Los Angeles. They ask where the car is parked at night for a reason.

 

yeap need front and rear plates, cops are a bit **** in cali especially with imports

 

Legally, you have 10 days to register the car once you move into the state.

 

Yeah, that's a joke. I didn't even have internet for couple of weeks, let alone getting a smog check, visual inspection, and waiting in DMV lines to register my car while I'm still unpacking my clothing. All after getting a CA license mind you. I registered as soon as I could...but I had to wait for my personalized plates!

The one thing that pisses me off is that if you bought a car out of CA within the past year, and you register it in CA....you basically have to pay sales tax on the car. WTF, I didn't buy it here. They call it a "use tax" but if ever there was a govm't scam this it it. Utterly ridiculous and the reason my wife's car is still registered out of state. We're waiting out the year of ownership of that vehicle. The "use tax" is about $2,500. WTF again.

 

My friend recently moved from Oklahoma back to California. He has no front license plate and 5% tint all around. Had no trouble from cops yet.

 

I guess the front license plate thing is a hit and miss. I've had my Z for about 2.5 years, driven it exclusively in Los Angeles and San Diego, and no issues at all despite my missing front license plate.