The relevant code provision is CA HSC 44200 through 44210. California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44200 | FindLaw Part of the issue is that ARB and DMV don't communicate well, so a lot of misleading info gets put out there and people get screwed over as a result.
Importing to California, bad news??
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The relevant code provision is CA HSC 44200 through 44210. California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 44200 | FindLaw Part of the issue is that ARB and DMV don't communicate well, so a lot of misleading info gets put out there and people get screwed over as a result.
Thanks for the additions. The dates 8/30 vs. 9/1 on the previous reply, they are actually on the DMV site?? They weren't the dates you looked at the site? If the former, it would appear that from one day to the next, they dropped all the possible exceptions, including the one where you could acquire the vehicle and have it registered WHILE LIVING IN THE NONCALIFORNIA
STATE for one year before trying to register it in CA. Both sites you show have exactly the same URL. Screwed up is an understatement.Paraglider: Those screenshots show the same page from the DMV's website, one day apart. When I checked the webpage in May 2017 before moving to California, it appeared exactly as it is shown in the screenshot dated 8/30/17. One day later, on 9/1, the language was completely changed. Again, no one has the money or political clout to hold the DMV accountable for this kind of thing, and I'm sure I'm not the only person who has been treated this way. EDIT: What's especially screwed up is this: I've been told by folks at DMV Technical Compliance, the outfit that handles direct-import registration, that the policy was changed a while ago but they "just didn't get around to updating the website," also they refused to say exactly when that policy change was put in place. Again, no way to hold them accountable FOR ANYTHING.
So true. California has lost any kind of balanced perspective on things like people-enjoyment vs. playground health. It's just going to get worse--until some CA governor or senators start collecting old foreign imports. (Maybe mudders should get together and gift a FJ40 or HJ47 to the top 3 Demo politicians in CA so they see how great they are.)
I'm in Southern CA. I bought my HDJ-81 off E-bay, from an importer out of Pennsylvania. It was trucked out and I nervously took it to the DMV. I did go to a rural DMV in farm country. The supervisor had to override the computer due to the chassis number being used instead of a VIN, but all went smoothly and I have had no problems since.
Good for you. Glad you made it through unscathed. I did the same thing in Petaluma (somewhat rural). The supervisor in the DMV overrode the computer also but the anal guy who checked the VIN wouldn't approve it w/o CHP approval. That's when I knew I was screwed. Not only did I have to pay for it to be towed to the DMV (because it's not registered) but unfortunately he knew his stuff and gave me the requirement to get CARB approval. Always luck of the draw.
While no a LandCruiser or even a diesel...I recently bought a 49 state truck from another state and registered it in California. One of the requirements was to have the VIN verified.
This was in late September of 2017, and I was told that a recent change required that only DMV inspectors verify VIN's for out of state vehicles. Mine was relatively painless. The point of this is - maybe the rural DMV is your friend? Meaning if the DMV does the VIN inspection, a rural DMV may work!
Worth a try!
This was in late September of 2017, and I was told that a recent change required that only DMV inspectors verify VIN's for out of state vehicles. Mine was relatively painless. The point of this is - maybe the rural DMV is your friend? Meaning if the DMV does the VIN inspection, a rural DMV may work!
Worth a try!
Oh sh*t, that's horrible. I'm sorry to hear this story. I'm glad others can learn from this experience.
Did you have an out-of-state title already?
Scot
hoser
SILVER Star
"Note: There are no CARB programs to convert new vehicles (less than two years old), motorcycles, off-highway vehicles (OHV), and diesel-powered vehicles to California emission standards. Vehicles that cannot be converted to comply with U.S. safety and U.S. and/or California emission standards cannot be registered for on-highway or o -highway use."
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/c...cc6/ch12_nonresident_vehicles.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
The above is not true, at least for my 2016 Ford F150 49 state emission truck. I researched this subject well before my purchase and confirmed with DMV in Sacramento via phone call with a out of state registration specialist.
I bought it in Arizona in September of 2017, and to eligible to have a CA registration, I needed to following -
1) Vehicle must have at least 7500 miles on odo
2) Vin verification - Was told DMV can only to do this - Took 10 minutes, and for Verification's...No DMV appointment is needed. You go to drivers test lane and wait for inspector!!!
3) Smog test - No problem and test showed it was a 49 state vehicle
4) Weight certificate - Cost $7.50 and the DMV wants one of the original certificates
5) Complete all this within 10 days of entering CA
6) Pay California fee's
I had plates and pink slip within 10 days.
I bought it in Arizona in September of 2017, and to eligible to have a CA registration, I needed to following -
1) Vehicle must have at least 7500 miles on odo
2) Vin verification - Was told DMV can only to do this - Took 10 minutes, and for Verification's...No DMV appointment is needed. You go to drivers test lane and wait for inspector!!!
3) Smog test - No problem and test showed it was a 49 state vehicle
4) Weight certificate - Cost $7.50 and the DMV wants one of the original certificates
5) Complete all this within 10 days of entering CA
6) Pay California fee's
I had plates and pink slip within 10 days.
hoser
SILVER Star
@doug720 There's a bit of confusion. You were dealing with a California Noncertified Vehicles (CNCV) and everything you said is correct. I was responding to calux about certifying a Direct Import diesel from another country. CARB can't/won't do it.
Direct Import Vehicles Section 12.050
Direct imports are vehicles which have been imported and originally manufactured for use in other countries. These vehicles may have foreign emission and/or safety labels, or no labels.
Direct Import Vehicles Section 12.050
Direct imports are vehicles which have been imported and originally manufactured for use in other countries. These vehicles may have foreign emission and/or safety labels, or no labels.
Here’s my very recent story: drove a newly acquired 1990 HDJ81 from MT last week into the Bay Area. Truck was legally imported into the US from Japan in June and is legally registered in MT with current MT plates.
Monday I head to my local AAA branch to register the truck. Everything is going totally smoothly UNTIL gal does the VIV verification. The vins not the problem, the lack of an emissions label is ! She tells me I now gotta take it to the CHP and it prob gonna be a big problem. I haven’t done anything since then except call around for advice and read, read and read some more !
Since then I’ve been contemplating my options ? If I had an emissions label, any emissions label, would I have cleared that hurdle and then what ? Was I in the clear or was there more drama to come ? I guess I’ll never know...
I have not yet decided on my next route. This is more of a vent and FYI for others. CA is getting smarter and tougher !
Jonathan
Monday I head to my local AAA branch to register the truck. Everything is going totally smoothly UNTIL gal does the VIV verification. The vins not the problem, the lack of an emissions label is ! She tells me I now gotta take it to the CHP and it prob gonna be a big problem. I haven’t done anything since then except call around for advice and read, read and read some more !
Since then I’ve been contemplating my options ? If I had an emissions label, any emissions label, would I have cleared that hurdle and then what ? Was I in the clear or was there more drama to come ? I guess I’ll never know...
I have not yet decided on my next route. This is more of a vent and FYI for others. CA is getting smarter and tougher !
Jonathan
I hired a registered importer who has the authority to print legal emissions stickers for imported and/or worn labels. As the vehicle was over 23 years in age, and meet the Federal EPA's exempt requirement, the importer was legally able to provide the sticker. I went to the CHP, he verified the VIN and checked the box that said,"Emissions label present" and then turned it into the Calif DMV compliance division. Then I finally got my Pink slip and plates.
You care to share who and where pls ? PM me I’d you’d rather do it offline.
Thanks !!
Thanks !!
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....
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.
When I visited CEE last year, they had a shop full of brand new box truck chassis's they were converting for California emissions/compliance. That's one of their main businesses which is why anything you take there to be tested and brought into compliance will sit outside for months waiting for them to get to it.
It’s gonna cost you a lot more than a case of beer to get your Surf titled and reg’d here in CA. I heard 5K is the going rate right now. Possible but not cheap !
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/c...cc6/ch12_nonresident_vehicles.pdf?MOD=AJPERES). I was referring to Diesel42, who said they worked with a guy who had the ability to produce the correct EPA door-jamb label.
