REG 343 — California's application for title or registration.
REG 343 is the California DMV's general application for a title or registration, used among other things for vehicles coming in from another state and for revived salvage vehicles. It runs to nine sections over two pages, and several of its questions decide fees and tax: when the car entered California, when it was first driven here, when you became a resident, and what you paid. Here is what each section asks, from the DMV's own form.
Registering a Car From Another State?
Section 7 asks about its out-of-state past. Enter the VIN for a free preview of the title brands, salvage records and odometer readings on file.
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Quick Answer
- What is REG 343 used for?
- It's the California DMV's Application for Title or Registration (Rev 12/2022). It records the vehicle, the owners, any legal owner (lienholder), the odometer, the dates the vehicle entered and was first operated in California, how it was acquired and for how much, any out-of-state registration and sales tax, and military status, signed under penalty of perjury.
- Do I need REG 343 for an out-of-state car in California?
- Section 7 is built for it: it asks whether sales tax was paid to another state if the vehicle entered within a year of purchase (that amount is credited toward California use tax), how the vehicle was last registered, and what happened to the out-of-state plates. Section 5's dates decide when fees became due.
- What does REG 343 say about a gifted car?
- Section 6 has a gift box: you tick it, write the vehicle's current market value, and complete a Statement of Facts, REG 256. A trade has its own box with the value when you acquired it.
Nine sections, in four parts
Every owner signs on the back, and the vehicle is described on both sides.
- 11: The vehicleVIN, make, year, model, fuel, plate, body type, and the for-hire and commercial-weight questions.
- 22–3: Owners and lenderEach owner, joined by AND or OR, and the legal owner, or "None".
- 34–6: Mileage, dates, costThe odometer reading, the dates that set fees, and the price, gift value or trade value.
- 47–9: History and signaturesOut-of-state tax and plates, military status, and every owner's signature.
What REG 343 Is For
REG 343, the Application for Title or Registration, is the California DMV's general-purpose title and registration form. The current version is Rev 12/2022, two pages and nine sections, with the instruction "complete both sides." The vehicle description goes on both pages, and every owner signs on the back.
Several of its sections exist to work out what you owe. Section 5's dates, when the car entered California, when it was first driven here and when you became a resident, tell the DMV when fees became due. Section 6's price or value sets the basis for use tax. Section 7 asks whether you already paid sales tax to another state. If you're claiming a gift or family exemption, the form sends you to REG 256.
REG 343 Section by Section
From the DMV's form, Rev 12/2022, read on 21 October 2026.
| Section | What it asks | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Vehicle information | VIN, make, year, model, fuel, plate, body, vehicle type; for-hire and commercial-weight questions | Commercial at 10,001 lb or more, or a pickup over 8,001 lb unladen or 11,499 lb GVWR, needs REG 4008 |
| 2. Owner information | True full names, license numbers, addresses, county | Co-owners joined by AND all sign to sell later; joined by OR, one does |
| 3. Legal owner | Lienholder or title holder | Write "None" if there isn't one; ELT lenders exactly as on the ELT listing |
| 4. Odometer | Reading at purchase in California, or now if no change of owner | Tick not actual or exceeds mechanical limits, and explain |
| 5. Dates | Entered California; first operated here; went to work, got a license or became resident; purchased | These dates decide when fees were due |
| 6. Cost | Purchase price, gift value or trade value, and who you got it from | A gift needs REG 256; revived salvage cost includes labor, even your own |
| 7. Out-of-state vehicles | Sales tax paid elsewhere, last registration type, plate disposition | Tax paid elsewhere within a year of purchase is credited |
| 8. Military | Active duty status now and when last licensed | May qualify for the REG 5045 exemption |
| 9. Certifications | Every owner's signature, under penalty of perjury | Businesses add an authorized representative's countersignature |
Body type changes since purchase need a Statement of Construction, REG 5036.
REG 343 at a Glance
The nine sections and the trigger points inside them, on one card.
From the California DMV's REG 343 (Rev 12/2022) and its fee schedule, read on the date shown.
The Dates and the Money: Sections 5 and 6
Section 5 asks four dates: when the vehicle entered or will enter California (the most recent entry, if it left and came back); when it was first operated here, or will be; when you went to work in California, got a California license or became a resident, whichever came first (or your date of birth if you've always lived here); and when you bought it, new or used, inside or outside the state. Together they tell the DMV whether fees, and penalties, are already due.
Section 6 is the cost. The total must be in US dollars and include the basic vehicle, any trade-in value, and accessories or leased equipment permanently attached, but not sales tax, insurance, finance charges or a warranty. You tick one box: purchase with the price, gift with the market value (and a REG 256), or trade with its value. Then say whether it came from a dealer, a private party, a dismantler or an immediate family member. For a revived junk or salvage vehicle, the cost must include labor "whether or not the labor was provided or done by you."
Section 6 counts
- In: the vehicle, trade-in value, attached accessories.
- Out: sales tax, insurance, finance, warranty.
- Gift: market value, plus REG 256.
- Revived salvage: your own labor counts too.
Bringing a Car Into California?
REG 343 asks where it's been registered; the records show what happened there. Enter the VIN for a free preview of the title brands and junk and salvage records on file.
Out-of-State Cars: Section 7
The part of REG 343 that only applies to vehicles last registered elsewhere.
Sales tax paid elsewhere
If the vehicle entered California within 1 year of purchase, enter any sales tax paid to another state; it's credited toward California use tax.
A possible use tax exemption
If it was last registered in another state, the form says you may be eligible for an exemption and points you to the CDTFA.
Commercial or not
For commercial vehicles, including pickups, say whether it was registered as commercial or as a non-commercial automobile last time.
The old plates
Expired, or surrendered to the California DMV, destroyed, retained, or returned to the issuing state. They may not go on any vehicle unless it's dual registered.
Military
Section 8: if you or your spouse are on active duty, you may qualify for the nonresident military exemption on REG 5045.
Every owner signs
Section 9 is signed by each owner, and you consent to service of process at the mailing address you give.
REG 343 or REG 227
Two California title forms people confuse.
REG 343
- Applies for a title or registration.
- Out-of-state vehicles and revived salvage, among others.
- Asks dates, cost and out-of-state history.
- Title fee $28 on the DMV's schedule.
REG 227
- Replaces a missing California title.
- Or transfers a car whose title is missing.
- $28 replacement fee.
- Lienholder release notarized.
Related Checks and Guides
The other California DMV form guides, and the title pages they connect to.
Where These Facts Come From
From the California DMV's REG 343 and its fee schedule, read on 21 October 2026. Download the current form from dmv.ca.gov before you file.
CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with the California Department of Motor Vehicles or the CDTFA, and does not file DMV forms. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
REG 343 — Frequently Asked Questions
What California applicants ask most.
Does every owner have to sign REG 343?+
Yes. Section 2 says each owner must sign on the reverse side, and Section 9 has a line for each. A business signs with its printed name and an authorized representative's countersignature.
What counts as the cost on REG 343?+
The basic vehicle, the value of any trade-in, and accessories or leased equipment permanently attached, in US dollars. Sales tax, insurance, finance charges and warranties are excluded. For a gift or trade, you write the market value instead.
Do I need REG 343 for a revived salvage car?+
REG 343 is where a revived salvage vehicle's cost goes: Section 6 has a line for revived junk or revived salvage vehicles, and the cost must include labor even if you did the work yourself.
What do I write for kilometers on REG 343?+
Section 4 lets you record the odometer in miles or kilometers, with no tenths, and tick a box if the reading isn't the actual mileage or exceeds the odometer's mechanical limits.
What is REG 4008 and when do I need it with REG 343?+
A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight. REG 343 requires it for a commercial vehicle that operates at 10,001 lb or more, or a pickup over 8,001 lb unladen or 11,499 lb GVWR.
Can I get credit for sales tax I paid in another state?+
If the vehicle entered California within 1 year of purchase, Section 7 asks for the tax paid to the other state, and that amount is credited toward any California use tax.
Run the VIN Before You File REG 343
Enter any 17-character VIN for a free preview. The full report lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
CarCheckerVIN is an independent vehicle-history service and is not affiliated with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. This guide summarizes the DMV's published REG 343 and fee schedule and is not legal or tax advice. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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