<p>Not to rain on your parade - but licensing a car in California that was first registered in another state can be REALLY expensive. I would double check with the CA DMV before I went down that path…</p>
<p>^^But that may be the only option if the owner’s legal address is in NY.</p>
<p>If the car resides in CA, then the DMV requires it to be registered in CA. If you are “only visiting” for a short period of time then it is not necessary to register it in CA - but again I would validate with CA DMV. If you become employed or enroll in a college then you have 20 days.</p>
<p>[California</a> DMV HTVR9 - How To Register A Nonresident Vehicle](<a href=“http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm]California”>http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm)</p>
<p>There is also a fee calculator link on that page…</p>
<p>“If you become employed or enroll in a college then you have 20 days.”</p>
<p>From the DMV site:
‘Enroll in an institution of higher learning as a California resident or enroll their dependents in school (K-12).’ Note: as a California resident</p>
<p>So if the parent owns the car and legally registers and insures it in the home state, the student can take the vehicle to California to use while a student.</p>
<p>I think it would be much more difficult to buy a car in California for your dependent non-resident student to use there, regardless of parental or student ownership.</p>
<p>But the OP does not indicate if the student is a legal resident of CA.</p>
<p>How did we all survive with no car seats, airbags, etc.? Ny D is drving a used convertible. Its will be mine when she leaves for college. Some may say we are crazy for getting her a soft top, but life is a risk sometimes.</p>
<p>I think we need to rid the road of giant SUVs, those things are dangerous, and in many cases, totally unnecessary.</p>
<p>As a leadfoot car afficionado from a long line of leadfoot car afficionados, my dad brought up the idea of me looking at a Subaru WRX when I was in the market for a replacement car for my beloved-but-falling-apart first car. I said absolutely not. He asked why, and I said because I really, really, <em>really</em> want to learn how to rally race. (Just because I’m a girl doesn’t mean I can’t be stupidly irresponsible with a deliciously powerful car.) My dad looked slightly frightened and suggested a nice Jetta instead. (No.)</p>
<p>I’m sorta of the subconscious mind that if there are racing seats and a sturdy-looking five-point harness, I’m invincible…! I find that teenaged/early-twenties guys are approximately the same way.</p>
<p>Legality of the car aside… Is this really a good idea? =</p>
<p>
This sounds like a great plan. If you do this I have some suggestions of things to do for you on the way. Try to leave extra time to see some of the sights along the way (i.e. don’t plan to do it in 5 days). It can be a great time for both of you and there’s so much to see in this great country of ours. PM me when you’re starting to plan.</p>