OP, have you figured out if you're supposed to pay for your own safety inspection before registering the car, regardless if it up to date?

In my case, state safety and emissions are out of date and I think I'll have to get that done before I show up to the DMV.

OP, another question are you selling your current car? I want to transfer my "outgoing" car's license plate/registration to the new car (which is the same body type). Fingers crossed I can do that.

I've heard here are specialized "Title and Tag" shops where they can do all of this for you without needing the DMV, sounds nice.

DMVs want you to have insurance when you register.

I am in the same boat right now - I found this website which was helpful. don't know about the "gifting" laws of those states, but at least in Virginia I'm supposed to have a Form SUT 3 (PURCHASER'S STATEMENT OF TAX EXEMPTION)

https://privateauto.com/blog/how-to-transfer-a-car-title-to-a-family-member

My parents in CA are gifting me their car. Do I have the order of these steps correct? Any additional advice for those who have BTDT?

1) transfer title in CA (between family members)
2) I put the car on my insurance and my parents take it off theirs (what is the timing on this?)
3) out of state transfer of title in MD

Thanks in advance. Anything else that I'm not thinking of?