California registration for out of state purchase

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Gunner

Finally... If the vehicle is registered in Massachusetts, can I drive it here on that registration? If I'd moved here, I could (apparently), but as a resident buying a nonresident vehicle... am I barred from operating the vehicle at all before I have a valid CA registration and/or TOP?

It appears you have 20 days, if you're a CA resident.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

Also, as for the forms, you can go to the DMV, a SB100-experienced one, and have them guide you through the forms that need filling out. Start the SB100 process immediately upon the car's arrival here in CA. Here's another morsel of info for you, if you haven't seen it already:

http://www.nckcc.com/referenceinfo.html

It appears that in your case, you would use SB-1578 process since your car is already titled and not your car's first title like mine or Doug's (Got The Bug). The process is exactly the same as the SB100 process, but instead of having to show all your separate receipts for engine, tranny, body, etc., the DMV should take the MA registration, along with your bill of sale from the dealership, which the DMV will use to set the value of your car and calculate fees and taxes on.