Calif.DMV, BAD news

[Biscuit]

I think one possibility is to avoid the DMV all together. If memory serves: if you are an Auto Club (AAA) member, they can register the vehicle at one of their offices. They may be a bit more open to just putting the paper work in.

Another option is look into the kit car laws. I know that California just made some changes to the regulations so that kits can get registered easier. Just say you built it from parts.

Either way fracking Commiefornia. They don't get the fact that diesels are the original alternative fuel vehicle.

Good luck.

 

[dieseldog]

Listen and listen well: Take up one these gents' offers to do a straw-man transfer, registration, and retransfer. Once the truck is titled and registered in one of the States, "full faith and credit" applies and you'll be OK. You get a truck with an Arizona/Nevada/Maine/Georgia (whatever) title and then California doesn't worry about it having come from Canada and the import questions just fall into the wastebin. It is now a vehicle coming into California from another State and Cali will accept the other State's title on its face, and on the strength of that, they WILL issue a Cali title and plates for the thing. End of story. Don't try to get into some Battle Royale with the powers-that-be. The down-low solution is the best (and LEGAL) way to get it done.

 

[Fromage]

The down-low solution is the best (and LEGAL) way to get it done.

The vehicle still doesn't comply with US EPA and therefore California emissions requirements. No OEM certification or endorsement of compliance. Pulling a fast one on the DMV won't get you off the hook for that. Cali requires US EPA certification, or a resultant exemption endorsed by the OEM. The fact that it would have been exempt from otherwise applicable regs is a moot point as the OEM will not attest to the exemption. Might be the best way to get it done, but it's always going to be illegal and you may have to deal with repercussions later on.

 

[dieseldog]

"Not complying" and "Not having paperwork showing compliance" and "Not having to comply" are all very different things. Cali is trying to say situation 1 exists. I (and others) are saying that the 2nd and 3rd situations exist. If they get the vehicle titled and licensed in another state first, then the vehicle is golden. It obviates the questions that Cali can ask. Cali is not, after all, a substation of ICE. It is a sovereign state of the United States and must accept with full faith and credit the official acts and documents of another sovereign state of the United States. My comments stand and if you looked at my sig line you know why.

 

[cruiserdan]

I'd move.


(I'm a big help.... )

 

[dieseldog]

I'm with you Dan.

 

[Diesel42]

Thanks again guys . Some more investigation from me ,this is what i've learned. The importation i did was legal,no problems there. Where the problem started was when i went to DMV(must be in person as they must inspect vehicle against customs paperwork), they did an inspection. That consisted of checking the paperwork numbers against that of the customs clearances.On the VIN verification form, the box titled"Emissions label attached", was marked"None". Because there wasn't one. That automatically reroutes the paperwork to technical compliance division in Sacramento. The fact that my vehicle is older than 17 years automatically makes it EPA compliant and thus meets U.S.Federal emissions. BUT<<<< there's no sticker for the idiots to read. That was what the EPA form(3520-1) verifies; however, these idiots will not accept just this letter. Ironically i spoke to the state smog referee(employed by Calif.) he said they have no testing apparatus for testing or certifying diesels. Sothere regulating my diesel when there is no process to begin with. Catch-22,Catch-22,Catch-22. Even if you register out of state then reenter, they still either require a current smog certificate(for Gasoline) and emission labels. If it's a diesel, it has to have at least a federal emissions label and at least 7500 miles on it. No labael-- Then a letter from the manufactorer identifying the vehicle by Make,Model,and VIN declaring it to meet CALIF emissions for date of manufactor. So even if i went to another DMV, the box on there form(emissions label attached) still has to be verified and checked or it's off to Sacramento again.We need a politican to fall in love with one of these things.

 

[PVCruiser]

I've watched this thread grow and wanted to chime in....

Selling it out of state and buying it back won't work.

Once something is in the system at CA DMV, it's flagged for 7 years. That means if the VIN shows up in the next 7 years, all the history of that vehicle is dragged up too.

You have 3 options:

1) Settle this via the legal/ bureaucratic route

2) Buy a "collector" title from a pre-74 LC

3) Giveup ( this isn't a true option in my opinion)

That's based on my CA DMV expereince..... I am by no means a guru.

HTH

Seth

 

[PaLCruiser]

Register it in another state, as per Dieseldog. In the mean time have your State Represenitive look into it. Specially the part about: {(The fact that your vehicle is older than 17 years automatically makes it EPA compliant and thus meets U.S.Federal emissions. BUT<<<< there's no sticker for the idiots to read. That was what the EPA form(3520-1) verifies; however, these idiots will not accept just this letter. Ironically you spoke to the state smog referee(employed by Calif.) he said they have no testing apparatus for testing or certifying diesels. So there regulating your diesel when there is no process to begin with.)} My state Rep would love something like this. More than likely he would be able to wave his pen for me. Just remember: Money talks!!!
Good Luck

 

[dieseldog]

One of my vehicles is registered in a state other than Texas, and will always be registered there until at least after the truck is over 25-years old. So what? I took steps to create a nexus with that state, and then took advantage of their far more favorable registration setup. Result: I have a cruiser registered in my name and was not stubborn about having my home state's system change to fit my personal needs. I was flexible like a willow rather than strong like an oak. Read your Sun Tzu and learn, then enjoy the benefit of your diesel cruiser.

 

[Diescipel]

Read your Sun Tzu and learn, then enjoy the benefit of your diesel cruiser.

Or your Antigone, or Machiavelli....

Good Luck Keith. Again, I will look VERY carefully at my importation docs when I get back because you are starting to scare the sh!t out of me too... I really want to know why I got through on this you didn't.......

B

(from Boulder, CO)

 

[Diesel42]

Yes, when will you be home? I know several who have had no problems(you for one). Yet others are. I spoke with a guy in SanDiego who just picked up a Louisiana titled 84BJ42LX(RHD). He too has a hold placed with DMV. oddly enough it isn't with the emissions, but rather that his VIN# isn't long enough.So they have ordered him to report to a CHP inspection station. He hasn't turned in the VIN verification yet. This is the form which states whether or not the federal EPA and/or Calif.emissions sticker is attached.

 

[dblugly]

I was sent to the CHP also, but it was because Canada re-vined mine with only one vin sticker. dmv said it needed to see two seperate vin's. CHP just used the vehicles original vin. You got me worried that I am going to be getting a letter from dmv, I don't think I have an emissions sticker, everything under my hood is written in Japanese.

 

[Diescipel]

Keith--barring unforeseen circumstances (like I've way underestimated how long it will take me to drive a loaded 24 foot truck through the Sierras), I'll be passing through Redding sometime late afternoon/early evening on Mon., home in Humboldt Mon. night.

Okay, so we know we have a 25 year rule for importing, and we know CA has a 1976 year rule for smog, but does anybody know if there is a 25 year rule in CA for registration of 'classic' vehicles or whatever where it all becomes so much easier? I.e. can we wait out CA DMV like we can the Feds for importation? (somehow I don't think so)

B

 

[Diesel42]

They(DMV) seem to hanging on to the fact that this is a gray market vehicle(they're language). 25 year for DOT,21 year for U.S.EPA, don't know about the classic vehicle rule. They insist they need a letter from Toyota verifying it met emissions for 1983. I've enlisted the help from a importerto determine if a legal sticker can be made and affixed to the engine compartment confirming that the vehicle complies with U.S.EPA emissions (which it does due to its age ). BY the way, your going to be driving right past my house on your way home. Stop off, stretch your legs, and have a look at the beast. I'll be home.

 

[Diescipel]

They(DMV) seem to hanging on to the fact that this is a gray market vehicle... I've enlisted the help from a importerto determine if a legal sticker can be made and affixed to the engine compartment confirming that the vehicle complies with U.S.EPA emissions (which it does due to its age )...

I wonder if my importer did this already and it was part of the docs that I/they photocopied and sent to DMV, so that's why I'm in the clear. Again I'll check the docs when I get back to them next week.

Keith, you've got a pm.

B

 

[tlcruiserman]

Anyone good on with making up letters, use Toyota's letterhead, fake names, have them call a friend to confirm. He can answer, hello RandD emmisions regulations.

LOL that is a joke.

But seriously what kind of commie place do you live in? Time to move.

You should delete this, it is not good to even joke about this stuff, especially since you mention that it is a joke in the next paragraph.

Michael

 

[tlcruiserman]

Based on your first post, I think what has happend here is that somewhere along the paper path someone got it confused with a gas model and it has just mushroomed from that. I have many diesels registered in CA and have never had a problem. One of my first ones, they started asking for the emmisions sticker at DMV and they had not noticed it was a diesel and then it was fine. I have an 84 BJ42 from Canada and no problems.

I wish I had some advice for you on what next steps to take. Sorry.

Michael

 

[Diesel42]

tlcruiserman- According to DMV compliance and the air resources board this is a "gray market" vehicle and it must comply with Ca. emissions regardless of the fact it's a diesel. They will allow a waiver with proof from Toyota(impossible). The fact others have made it throgh is strictly their eneptness as according to them,they shouldn't have. Ridiculous. A gasser from Canada with no emissions label dould be smog checked then taken to the referee. THe diesel which they don't smog or regulate is suddenly a problem. Go figure. My assemblyman has asked for a letter regarding these facts. He claims he'll forward this to the legislation which will review it against DMV/Air resources Baord. If i'm right and there acting outside the law then he said they will force them to reversr there position.

 

[dblugly]

Diesel42

I was told by the DMV it would be no problem to bring in a Diesel. Ca EPA said no way no how was I going to bring in a Diesel. I rolled the dice and from the sounds of your problems I got very lucky. Now you got me worried I will be getting a letter from Ca EPA saying the DMV messed up.

On a side note there is someone, (cant remember their name) on this site that repos decals, Etc.. Maybe they could make you an emmissions decal to slap under the hood and call it good. I am not one to promote ileagal acts, but...