Recent content by calux

It sounds like you went through the process in 2014. The DMV/CARB have since closed the out-of-state loophole and they won't care if you title/reg in another state for 6 months, a year, or a decade prior to bringing your rig into CA. They consider any non-USDM vehicle a Direct Import...

For whatever reason the DMV doesn't respond quickly (or in some cases at all, apparently) to CARB's requests for info updates on the DMV's website. I was actually under the impression that title/reg of non-USDM diesels wasn't possible anymore so hearing that CEE can still do their thing...

definitely interested in how this turns out, keep us posted. Also, if this actually works you should get a complete run-down of everything that was done to your rig, there's a lot of misinformation out there about what CARB requires for legal CA registration of non-USDM diesels and it would be...

HogBeast, I would strongly advise against attempting to register a non-USDM diesel in California. They have made it essentially impossible without going through California Environmental Engineering in Santa Ana (or whatever the Norcal equivalent is). All new registrations are sent through...

One thing people can try (disclaimer: this is a long shot) would be to take the year, make, and model of your vehicle and see if it was sold in California in the same year with the same engine and emissions equipment (example: you have a JDM '84 pickup with a 2L or 2LT, and the same pickup was...

If they weren’t originally sold in the US, or intended for sale in the US, I wouldn’t count on them having an EPA label. I don’t know how imports from Canada work, since they’re in North America and there might be some reciprocity between our federal laws and theirs, but again I wouldn’t count...

This is good advice. The people at CARB, at least the ones I spoke with, are way more knowledgeable and willing to discuss the ins and outs of their regs than the people at the DMV. I would absolutely call CARB and ask politely what the deal is. If you can, get them to email you whatever they...

I moved to California from NC in 2017. Before moving I checked the DMVs direct imports page for guidance on registering and titling my truck, and it said if I had it registered and titled in my home state for at least year prior to moving I could reg it in CA without issue. After moving here I...

It took me 18 months but i was able to successfully register and title my ‘85 surf. That being said, my situation was somewhat unique and not necessarily applicable to others who are trying to bring anything non-US market into CA.

Based on my experience, if I were you I would call CARB and get them to verify EVERYTHING, in writing. Same with the DMV. They are great at avoiding responsibility and shifting blame to others.

Believe me I know, and it's way more than $5k (and it may not even been possible at this point, see page 12-15: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/6e16456e-eb1a-4aad-82dc-9f9ce5c3dcc6/ch12_nonresident_vehicles.pdf?MOD=AJPERES). I was referring to Diesel42, who said they worked with a...

maaaan oh man if you're able to provide a name and contact info for this person, and they're able to get my Surf titled and reg'd here, I will personally hand-deliver a case of beer to your front door step.

Ugh man that sucks. I'm going to be honest with you, I wouldn't be too confident in your ability to get your rig registered and titled here. See the following: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/6e16456e-eb1a-4aad-82dc-9f9ce5c3dcc6/ch12_nonresident_vehicles.pdf?MOD=AJPERES. CHP won't...

Fair enough, I stand corrected. In my defense, the folks at CARB stated firmly that I could go to CEE in Santa Ana and get the necessary work done, but I guess they were wrong....