Anyone know anything about the process of getting a car registered in CA from out of state? I know there has to be a visual inspection of the car, but does anyone know what that entails?

 

Not sure about FI but you can start reading this:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/osreg.htm

 

Hey Navy

When you bring in a car from OOS, and try to get it registered, you will need to do a smog check. I dont think CA requires a safety check for late model cars.

You also would need your lien holder to release the title to the CA DMV, if the car has a loan against it.

As you know, smog checks in CA are very strict.

 

But done only every six years now

 

IF its a new car.. if you are buying a used car it needs to be smogged before it can be re-registered.

 

Yes and now passing smog every six years isnt the problem. The CHP and has taken many classes so they can know what to look for on import cars. Local PD has also taken them. They can now pull you over and ask to look under your hood. I hate this state more then you'll ever know! The good thing is Reno NV is about a hour and a half from me. I think Ill be moving there soon,wink.

 

There're plenty of shady smog guys who'll overlook anything on the visual inspection as long as the car passes the sniffer test.

 

Don't call them shady... The smog test is to ensure that the car isn't a "gross" polluter. If is passes the sniffer test then what the hell is the concern. Anyone know why we don't have 93 octane readily available like other states. Does it burn to clean for California???

 

I'm not worried about the smog, I have that taken care of, I need to passa visual inspection by the DMV, and if they look under the hood, which I assume then, I am screwed. If anyone knows anything I can do please let me know.
If I were to register it in another state, do I need a drivers license in that state? Just trying to run down all of the possibiliteis. I am going to call the DMV, but I figured I would start here. All input is greatly appreciated.

 

If you have the smog issue taken care of, ... why would DMV need to look under the hood?? I assume you are i the Navy? If so, you can alleviate some problems by registering in your state of residence (hopefully not CA), and then you'd just need a certificate to give the Pass & Decal office for your base sticker.

*edit: Now that I thought about it, it may depend on which base you are registering with as to whether or not you even need the smog certificate (If you have out-of-state tags). And if your sticker is still good, you don't have to worry about anything.

 

The car is not registered now in any state, I bought it a year and a half ago and while driving it home the engine blew. So, I have been saving to do the engine right and finally have been able to and now I need to get around the registration issues. The DMV website says that an out of state car has to be visually inspected, but I do not yet know what that means. It is my understanding that the SMOG cert will not be sufficient for registration. Not sure yet.
As for being in the Navy, no I was at one time but not any more. I think will probably have to have it registered in another state, but I did not want to have to go that route.
Any more input????

 

Just got off the phone with DMV and they said, all I need is a SMOG cert and they only do a VIN check. So, it won't be a problem. Thanks for all the advice and help.

 

I would just say that you should try to go to a place to get SMOG'd that is "mod friendly". I have been told "nicely" that if my car was registered in CA that they wouldn't have given me the certificate, ... But, since I'm "out-of-state", they didn't care. Plus, I sat there and BS'd with them about cars for a while.