In terms of buying a vehicle and turning around and selling it without registering it, this is against the law, but there are exemptions. Reference California Vehicle Code Section 12120 VC and 12121 has exemptions to 12120.2017-10-30
How many cars can I sell per year?
Generally, you are allowed to sell no more than four vehicles per year without having an auto dealers license under Department of Licensing (DOL) guidelines.
Can you get a dealer license without a lot in California?
California requires anyone wanting a Wholesale or Retail Dealer License to take a “Pre-Licensing Class”. No industry experience or additional preparation is required. By completing the one-day (6 hours) training first, you can save a lot of wasted time and expense.
How many vehicles can you sell per year in California?
As of late 2020, you're able to sell up to 5 vehicles per year as a private party. That means no licenses needed, dealer education, sales taxes paid, etc. if you only want to sell 5 cars per year.2020-09-06
How many cars can you sell before being classed as a trader?
There is no minimum number of cars an individual can sell before they are deemed to be a trader. A person will only be considered a trader if they buy cars mainly for the purpose of reselling them at a profit, regardless of the number of vehicles sold each year.