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UkCar Buying Service
Buy your next car through our Car Buying Service, powered by TrueCar®, and finance it with us. Your car purchase and financing must be completed by Sept. 2, 2025 in order to be eligible for the bonus. Terms apply. Footnote 1
In the market for a new or used car? With our Car Buying Service, Footnote 2 you can:
- search online for the car you want and see what others paid Footnote 3
- see upfront price offers on cars from local TrueCar Certified Dealers Footnote 4
- get a trade-in offer from a TrueCar Certified Dealer in minutes Footnote 5
- enjoy bonus incentive offers on select vehicles
Video Transcript for TrueCar for Navy Federal Video
In an animation, a Navy Federal Credit Union building stands atop the Earth against a starry night sky.
NARRATOR: As a member of the world’s largest credit union, you depend on Navy Federal for all your banking and finance needs.
A man stands in front of the credit union building. A car dealership takes its place. On a blue car, True Car, Navy Federal Credit Union.
And now you can find your next car with us, with the Navy Federal Car Buying Service powered by TrueCar.
A car salesman waves at the man. A white car is parked in front of money marked Incentives. Text, For active duty veterans and their families.
can get upfront pricing from TrueCar certified dealers on the car you’re looking for, [CASH REGISTER TRILL] including incentives tailored to active duty, veterans, and their families.
The car salesman hands the man a piece of paper with a gold stamp.
And you can apply for a Navy Federal auto loan and get great rates. Get on the road to finding your new ride today.
The man drives down the road in his new blue car, Text, Navy Federal Credit Union Car Buying Service.
[CAR HORN DOUBLE BEEP]Visit the Navy Federal Car Buying Service powered by TrueCar.
Get in the Driver’s Seat With a Navy Federal Auto Loan
You could save money with a Navy Federal car loan. Footnote 6 We have great loan rates for new and used vehicles, with decisions in seconds, in most cases. You can also apply for preapproval to speed up the process and know what you can spend before you approach the dealer.
Get Special Offers on Select Vehicles
In addition to receiving member pricing, Navy Federal members can get up to $5,000 in bonus incentive offers on select vehicles. Footnote 7
Selling Your Car?
Quickly see how factors like mileage, color and age can affect your car’s trade-in value. When you enter the requested information, you’ll instantly get a value estimate. Plus, you could get a cash offer from a local TrueCar Certified Dealer! Footnote 5
Car Buying for Servicemembers Overseas
Although our Car Buying Service isn’t available for overseas purchases, members stationed abroad can take advantage of great car loan rates and can enjoy military-focused service when purchasing vehicles through Military AutoSource. Footnote 8
Enjoy Benefits Tailored to Our Military Members
Through TrueCar’s Military Appreciation Package, Navy Federal members can receive benefits, such as auto deductible and repair expense reimbursement, when you report your purchase from a TrueCar Certified Dealer. Footnote 9
Disclosures
TrueCar operates the Navy Federal Car Buying Service. Navy Federal is not responsible for any offer, purchase, lease, or service provided by or through the Navy Federal Car Buying Service.
TrueCar provides a market average for cars like the one you want, based on actual recent transactions by other buyers. Additional information regarding the calculation of TrueCar’s Market Averages is available at navyfederal.truecar.com.
TrueCar Certified Dealers are contractually obligated by TrueCar to meet certain customer service requirements and complete the TrueCar Dealer Certification Program.
Terms and conditions apply and are available at the Car Buying Service website, hosted by TrueCar.
Credit and collateral subject to approval.
Availability and amount of bonus incentive offers are subject to change.
Navy Federal Credit Union and Military AutoSource are not affiliated companies. Navy Federal is not responsible for any offer, purchase, or service provided by or through Military AutoSource.
Benefits not available in all states. Additional terms, conditions, and limitations apply and are available at the linked Car Buying Service website, hosted by TrueCar.
All product and company names and logos are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.
- 24/7 Member Services: 1-888-842-6328
- Routing Number: 256074974
- Navy Federal is insured by NCUA
- Equal Housing Lender
- Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets
Navy Federal conducts all member business in English. All origination, servicing, collections, and marketing materials are provided in English only. As a service to members, we will attempt to assist members who have limited English proficiency where possible. Military images are used for representational purposes only; do not imply government endorsement. Terms and conditions are applied to gift cards.
APY = Annual Percentage Yield, APR = Annual Percentage Rate
+Rates are based on an evaluation of credit history, so your rate may differ
*Message and data rates may apply. Terms and Conditions are available.
⬥Terms and conditions are applied to gift cards.
© 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union. All Rights Reserved.
Registration for a Vehicle Purchased from a Dealer
Buying a vehicle from a dealership often means that at least some of the registration process will be handled for you – many dealers are authorized to transfer titles and issue temporary registration to use until permanent registration and stickers arrive in the mail. If the dealer you bought your vehicle from doesn’t provide registration services, you will need to register the vehicle yourself.
To register your vehicle/vessel, you will always need:
- If the vehicle is new , a completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) (PDF) form .
- If the vehicle is used, the California Certificate of Title (or an out-of-state title, if the car is currently registered in another state).
- If the title has been lost or damaged, complete an Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227) (PDF) to request a copy.
You may also need:
- A completed Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment (REG 262) form. This form cannot be downloaded because it contains security features. Visit a DMV field office in person to get the form.
- A Statement of Facts (REG 256) (PDF) form.
- Smog certification.
- Vehicle Emission System Statement (SMOG) (REG 139) (PDF) form.
- A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) (PDF) form (if you are purchasing a commercial vehicle).
- Use tax and/or various other fees.
To complete your registration, please visit a DMV field office in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a smog inspection required? Expand Accordion Plus Collapse Accordion Minus
If your gas-powered vehicle is less than 4 years old, you do not need a smog certification, but you do need to pay a smog abatement fee.
If your gas-powered vehicle is more than 4 years old, the dealer you are buying from must get a smog certification before selling to you, unless the vehicle was smog certified within the last 90 days.
Smog inspections are not required for:
- Diesel-powered vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds.
- Electric-powered vehicles.
- Natural gas-powered vehicles.
- Motorcycles.
- Trailers.
- Special equipment (like construction or farm vehicles).
- Off-highway vehicles.
What fees do I have to pay? Expand Accordion Plus Collapse Accordion Minus
DMV will calculate your fees when your application is submitted to DMV, but you can expect them to include:
- Title transfer fees.
- Use tax of 7.25% – 10.25% (based on new registered owner’s city and county of residence).
Note You must pay transfer fees within 10 days of the sale. If you miss that deadline, you will be charged a late penalty after 30 days. If you are registering more than one vehicle/vessel, you must pay a separate transfer fee for each vehicle/vessel.
What should I be aware of when I buy a vehicle/vessel? Expand Accordion Plus Collapse Accordion Minus
Before buying a vehicle, it is important to know your rights and responsibilities.
- Know and understand your rights as a consumer. Learn more from our Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights guide.
- Know how much your ideal vehicle costs. Look up prices on the internet, in newspaper ads, vehicle pricing guides, or even by visiting several dealerships to see if the price changes. Make sure you also compare interest rates.
- All California dealers must show you a National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) report.
- If you buy a vehicle/vessel from another person instead of a dealer, you can get a NMVTIS report at vehiclehistory.gov for a small fee.
Need something else?
Check a Dealer’s Status
Use DMV’s Occupational Licensing Status Information System to find out whether a dealer is licensed to offer registration services on behalf of DMV.
Car Buyer’s Bill of Rights
There are many things dealers are required to provide, disclose, or do when you buy from them; make sure you know your rights!
Fee Calculator
Use our Fee Calculator to calculate an estimate of any applicable registration or title transfer fee estimates.
Copyright © 2025 State of California
Google™ Translate Disclaimer
The web pages currently in English on the DMV website are the official and accurate source for the program information and services the DMV provides. Any discrepancies or differences created in the translation are not binding and have no legal effect for compliance or enforcement purposes. If any questions arise related to the information contained in the translated website, please refer to the English version.
The following pages provided on the DMV website cannot be translated using Google™ Translate:
- Forms
- Publications
- Field Office Locations
- Online Applications
Source: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/new-registration/registering-a-vehicle-purchased-from-a-dealer/