Cal. Veh. Code § 11716

A manufacturer, remanufacturer, transporter, distributor, or dealer, in the course of business, may operate or move any vehicle of a type otherwise required to be registered under this code without registering the vehicle, and without license or special plates attached thereto, from a vessel, railroad depot, or warehouse over the highways to a warehouse or salesroom upon first having obtained a written permit from the department authorizing that operation.