ARTICLE 2. Inspection and Cancellation of Titles for Exported Vehicles [6160. - 6162.]

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH 2.

in effect

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 6160. Section 6160.

The Legislature finds and declares that when vehicles are exported and their title records are not amended to reflect exportation, it is conducive to vehicle theft and insurance fraud. The certificates of title issued by this state are used in insurance frauds in which a claimant falsely states that a vehicle has been stolen or uses that certificate to fraudulently procure insurance when in fact the vehicle has previously been exported from the United States. In the interest of the general welfare of the people of this state, and in order to combat vehicle theft and insurance fraud, it is necessary that the department’s record of title reflect the fact that a vehicle is being exported either temporarily or permanently, based upon the true owner’s declaration prior to exportation.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 6161. Section 6161.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following provisions and definitions apply to the following terms: (a) “Certified record of permanent exportation” shall include all of the following: (1) The titled owner’s name and address. (2) A description of the vehicle, including year, make, body type, vehicle identification number, license registration number, and state registration. (3) The destination of vehicle. (4) The purpose of export, whether sale, lease, or personal use. (b) “Declaration that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States” shall include the items specified in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (a), and shall also state the period of time for which it is anticipated that the vehicle will be outside the United States. (c) “Export” means the shipping or transporting of a vehicle out of the United States by means other than its own power or that of a vehicle drawing or towing it. (d) “Owner” means the owner of record indicated in a certificate of title issued by this state and includes an agent of that owner acting under a valid power of attorney executed by an owner. (e) “Title” means the certificate of ownership issued by the department pursuant to Section 4450, but excludes a salvage certificate, as described in Section 11515, a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, as defined in Section 432, and an acquisition bill of sale, as described in Section 11519. (f) “Vehicle” means every device designed for transportation of persons or property upon land, for which a certificate of title is required.

Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 6162. Section 6162.

An owner of a vehicle who seeks to export a vehicle titled in this state shall appear at the department with the certificate of title to ascertain whether there are any liens of record outstanding and whether the person exporting the vehicle is the lawful owner. If the certificate of title is found to be in proper order and no unsatisfied lien appears, the department shall enter into its record of title that the vehicle is intended for permanent exportation from the United States. If the owner certifies by filing a declaration with the department that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States, and that he or she intends to return the vehicle to the United States, the department shall enter into its record of title a declaration that the vehicle will not be permanently located outside the United States until notification by the owner that the vehicle has been returned.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026