Can You Register an out of State Vehicle in California?

How can I find the most qualified station for smog check near me ?

Finding a qualified smog check station can be difficult at times, but Smog Coupons has made it easy. By visiting www.smogcoupons.com, you can find the best and closest smog check station to your home or place of work.

The Bottom Line

If you are a California resident and acquire a new car, truck, or motorcycle from another state, it must be certified to meet California smog laws to be registered in California. This includes certain diesel-powered vehicles. DMV cannot accept an application to register a vehicle in California that does not qualify for registration (California Health and Safety Code §§43150 – 43156).

What Is Considered a New Vehicle?

California considers any vehicle with less than 7,500 miles on the odometer at the time of purchase or trade by a California resident or business, to be a new vehicle. This is true whether or not the vehicle has been registered in another state.

Aren’t All Vehicles California Certified?

Not all new vehicles are manufactured to be sold in California. Many manufacturers make vehicles to be sold only in the other 49 states. These vehicles (49-state) are made with smog equipment that meets federal emission standards, but not California standards. California-certified (50-state) vehicles are made to be sold in California.

Check the Label

To find out whether a car, truck, or motorcycle is California certified, check the emission label under the hood. For a motorcycle, check the frame or refer to your owner’ s manual for the location. The label should read that the vehicle conforms to California regulations, or that it is legal for sale in California.

Exemptions

There are a few exemptions to the law. As a California resident, you may be able to register a 49-state vehicle if it was:

• Obtained as part of a divorce, inheritance, or legal separation settlement.
• Purchased to replace your California-registered vehicle that was stolen while you were using the vehicle out-of-state.
• Purchased to replace your California-registered vehicle that was destroyed or made inoperative beyond reasonable repair while you were using the vehicle out of state.
• An emergency vehicle, pursuant to California Vehicle Code § §27156.2 and 27156.3.
• Registered by you in the state of your last active military service outside California.
• A street motorcycle or motor-driven cycle year model 2005 and older, with an engine less than 50 cubic centimeters (cc) displacement. Beginning January 1, 2006, street motorcycles and motor-driven cycles year model 2006 and newer, with engines less than 50 cc displacement, require an emission label certifying them to meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emission regulations, and may be registered regardless of mileage.

 

Does This Apply to Someone Moving to California?

If you are moving to California from another state, you may register a new 49-state vehicle if it was first registered by you in your home state, or for military personnel, in the last state of your military service. When applying for vehicle registration in California, you must provide evidence that the vehicle was registered. If you ever ask yourself where is a smog check near me , the best answer is going to www.smogcoupons.com.

Vehicles Purchased From Out of the Country (Grey Market)

California has special requirements for vehicles imported from other countries (including Canada and Mexico). It may be very costly or impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements and/or federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). No direct import vehicle less than two years old can be converted to California emission standards. Not all direct import vehicles over two years old can be converted to California emission standards and FMVSS. No motorcycle or diesel-powered vehicle can be converted to California emission standards. For details, contact the California Air Resources Board (ARB).

Drive Clean

Are you looking to reduce your carbon footprint, save money on gas or just contribute less to smog? Are you asking yourself where is the best smog check near me ? DriveClean.ca.gov is California’ s buying guide for clean and efficient vehicles. Since motor vehicles are responsible for more than half of the smog and global warming pollution in California, the vehicle you buy directly impacts air quality, global warming, and energy security.

Visit DriveClean.ca.gov for more information about the Environmental Performance Label, to compare scores and to find the latest incentives.