10 Best Auto Transport Companies in California For 2024

Understand California Residency

The requirements for establishing residency in California are relatively straightforward:

• You need to live in California for at least nine months of the year. If you have a home elsewhere, your California home must be your primary residence.
• Provide documents proving your lease, mortgage, or property title.
• Provide certain documents that show your intent to be a permanent resident even if you don’t pay rent, own a home, or have a permanent address.
• Open or transfer your bank account to California.
• Put CA utilities in your name.
• If you own a home, pay California property tax.
• Pay California state income tax.

Update Your Insurance to Comply with CA Laws

The state requires insurance for all vehicles parked or operated on California roads. If you’re moving to California, you have 20 days to get your car insured and must carry proof of your insurance in the vehicle at all times. Private passenger autos must have the minimum required insurance that includes:

• $15,000 liability for injury/death to one person: This coverage helps cover medical costs if you are at fault and injured or die in an accident.
• $30,000 liability for injury/death to more than one person: This liability insurance helps cover the medical costs of passengers who are injured or die if you are at-fault in an accident.
• $5,000 in property damage: Property liability helps pay for damage to another car or property in which you are the at-fault driver.
• DMV issued self-insurance and cash deposits are optional.

Since CA coverage is low, you may want to buy additional protection to reduce your risk further. Consider purchasing added liability coverage, collision insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, comprehensive coverage, or an umbrella policy.

Title and Register Your Vehicle

You need to register your vehicle within 20 days of establishing residency. Head down to the DMV and provide:

• A completed application for title or registration (Form REG 343)
• The vehicle’s out-of-state title
• The vehicle’s out-of-state registration
• The VIN (vehicle identification number) verification: A DMV employee will need to inspect your vehicle to verify the VIN.
• Proof of insurance (see #2 above)
• A valid smog certificate
• Payment of fees. Fees vary, but all vehicles are subject to a minimum $46 registration fee and a $23 California Highway Patrol fee.

Moves can be complicated and time-consuming, especially if you’re starting a new job while trying to get settled. Online vehicle registration services can help simplify the process.

Obtain a Valid California Driver License

Within 10 days of establishing residency, you must visit a CA DMV office to obtain a driver's license. Some DMV offices allow you to schedule an appointment online, otherwise plan on a lengthy wait at most locations, and be prepared to:

• • Complete the application
  • Show your social security card
  • Show verification of your birth date and legal residency (birth certificate, passport, military ID card, permanent resident card). A photocopy is not acceptable.
  • Pass a vision exam
  • Pass a traffic law and sign test

California law requires that you have your valid California driver license in your possession when operating a motor vehicle.

Purchase a FasTrak Pass

Most roads in California don’t require tolls; however, as with most things, there are exceptions. To avoid stop and go traffic in Orange County, many drivers opt to pay a toll and take State Route 73 between San Juan Capistrano and Costa Mesa. State Route 125 south of San Diego is another popular toll road. Many northern CA bridges like the Golden Gate, Oakland Bay, and Richmond Bridge charge a toll.

Five agencies distribute FasTrak transponders, so it’s important to get your transponder from the agency that operates the bridge or road you’ll be using the most. In some cases, a FasTrak transponder is the only way to pay because tolls are not collected on some highways and bridges, like the Golden Gate. Read about payment options so you’ll be prepared when you drive California’s bridges and roads.

Looking to ship your vehicle to California from another part of the country? Caravan Auto Transport’s network of vetted, licensed, and insured auto transporters offer safe, efficient transport of your automobile to its destination without running up the miles on the odometer. These reputable California car shipping companies provide the following services:

Open Car Transport

The most common method of car transportation, open transport carriers are ideal if you’re looking for an affordable shipping option with speedy delivery. As the name suggests, your car is loaded onto an open-air trailer along with several other vehicles headed to the same destination.

Enclosed Auto Transport

If you desire enhanced security or protection for your vehicle, you may wish to arrange enclosed carrier shipping. Inside a covered trailer, your car has protection from harsh weather conditions and road hazards like dust and dirt. Shipping your vehicle in a closed carrier also enhances its safety during transit by keeping the car concealed.

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

With a door-to-door car shipping service, you choose the desired pick-up and drop-off locations rather than having to arrange getting your vehicle to or from a transport terminal. Door-to-door shipping is the most convenient choice for shipping your car to or from California, saving you time and effort.

Expedited Shipping

In a hurry to get your car to or from California? Upgrading to expedited shipping ensures a seamless pick-up and drop-off of your vehicle on your schedule. As a priority customer, you receive fast, timely service, so you can get back to driving that much quicker.

Classic and Antique Car Transport

When it comes to transporting a classic car, you want an auto transport company that can deliver your vehicle without a single dent or scratch. From a vintage Mustang to an antique DeVaux Sports Coupe, our network of classic auto transporters has the expertise and equipment to transport your classic car safely, so it arrives in pristine condition.

High End and Luxury Auto Shipping

Exotic car transporters use specialty equipment, like hydraulic lifts and sophisticated tie-downs, along with enclosed trucks, to keep your valuable car safe during every mile of transit. An enclosed car hauler ensures the ultimate protection for your high-end or luxury vehicle, protecting it from dirt, dust, and debris along the way.

Are you trying to get settled in a new job ASAP? Or moving off to college? There are numerous reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to California or somewhere outside of the Golden State. Caravan Auto Transport’s network of auto shippers streamlines the car hauling process no matter your reason for transporting your vehicle to or from CA.

Moving and Relocation

When moving cross-country or out-of-state, many people choose to ship their cars rather than add a long road trip to an already stressful and exhausting relocation experience. Leave the logistics of moving your vehicle in the hands of professionals with either open or enclosed vehicle shipping services.

Snowbirds

For decades, the California coasts and deserts have attracted snowbirds. Given southern California’s mild winter temperatures and warm sunshine, it’s easy to understand why. Start enjoying your escape from the frigid north that much sooner by shipping your car and meeting it at your California destination – whether you’re wintering in the luxe desert oasis of Palm Springs or the desirable coastal communities around San Diego.

Military

With more military bases than most states, California is home to over 1,300,000 active-duty military personnel and more than 800,000 reserve forces. CA’s 32 bases represent every branch of the military. Personnel serve in desert bases like Fort Irwin Army Base and Edwards Air Force Base while other troops work in seaside facilities like the Point Loma Navy Base in San Diego. If you’re one of the brave men and women working to keep our country safe, we’re happy to serve you with top-notch car transportation to or from California.

Online Car Buyers

If you’ve found the perfect vehicle on Craigslist, eBay, or AutoTrader, you may need some assistance getting it home, especially if it’s sitting on the other side of the country. Instead of flying out to pick it up and putting hundreds or thousands of miles on the odometer just to get it to your driveway, arrange for a hauler to transport your new car for you.

College Students

From Humboldt State University in the far north of California to the Design Institute of San Diego, California has no shortage of top-tier public and private colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to California from out-of-state (or vice versa), have their vehicle shipped straight to campus with a fast, affordable auto transport service.

On average, it costs between $500-$1500 to ship a car to California. Anticipate paying around $1 per mile for the first 1-500 miles, then approximately $.75 for every mile after that. Several factors influence the final cost of shipping your vehicle, including the origin and destination zip codes, the method of transport (open vs. enclosed), the speed of shipment, the type of vehicle, and the time of year. The best way to get an accurate estimate of car shipping costs is by requesting free quotes from our network of top-rated auto transport companies.