Transferring vehicle from out of state?

Hello,

Quick question regarding vehicle transfer. My Grandpa is selling my wife and I his vehicle as he is too old to drive anymore (93!). He currently lives in Iowa and we currently live in California. We are going to pay to have the car shipped out to us.

From my research, we can buy the vehicle and not pay tax because he is family, just a "transfer fee". However, I've never bought an out of state vehicle. Is there anything else I should know to do this?

Car is paid off and he has the title. My parents are facilitating this so I assume just fill out the normal title transfer paperwork and send it in? There is also a "statement of facts" form I need to fill out as well. Will I need to prove he is my grandpa somehow? We have different last names (he's my moms dad).

Car in question is a 2015 Lexus RX350 so it will need to be smogged I believe (more than 4 years old).

Thanks for any help!

 

ttt

 

Contact your State (Ca.) DMV ( where the vehicle will be registered) and ask them --they should have the most accurate answer.

 

Ugh, dealing with California DMV's is the absolute worst. BUT, probably the best way forward.

 

The only thing I can really add to this, is be careful who you use as a shipping company. Generally get what you pay for type of deal.. I went with a low bidder when I shipped my truck from CO to ME a few years back and paid the price in terms of a broken windshield and broken radio antenna. Their "customer service" was non existent and basically told me to eff off (the one time I actually got them on the phone)

 

Thanks for the heads up. My parents have POA and I believe they are going to coordinate the shipping company.