If you are in California and you want a legal to drive, over 25 year old vehicle, you know it's not as simple as the rest of the country. Torque Importers have navigated this obstacle , and can offer JDM, or other foreign cars, fully legal for California. California compliance testing, and smog testing (in use testing) are not the same. A direct import vehicle must pass compliance testing, then in addition pass smog testing to be legally registered in California. 

 

Prices for California modification and testing range from $7500 - $15000 depending on vehicle model and condition up to 1995. The cars need to be near stock, and in perfect running order.  1996 and up can require OBD II, which adds significantly to the cost and complexity. Please call or email us with specific cost questions. 949-335-2976 or taacorp888@gmail.com

1967 model year vehicles and older - no modifications and testing are required to register the vehicle in California.

1968 model year to 1974 model year vehicles - California does not recommend the purchase or importation of these years of NON-USA vehicles, even if currently registered in another state. These vehicles require compliance with USEPA requirements in effect on the specific date of 11/15/1972. This provision when written, was considered by the California legislature as a gradual phase-out of very dirty "non-collectable" types of imports, as this specific requirement was understood to become increasingly difficult to meet. Today, this requirement, while not impossible to meet, would require testing expenses and modifications that far exceed most vehicles value and would make little sense from a collectors standpoint to attempt. The limited exemptions that could have applied to individuals moving to California were closed by VIN 2017-15 (Direct Import Vehicles Update)  Contact the DMV for more information.

1975 model year vehicles to the present - (EXCLUDING any vehicle obtained by a California resident within two years of its date of production) require a "Certificate of Conformance" issued by the ARB after a successful laboratory test. This test is administered to the same standards required of new vehicle manufacturers, and for the model year of the vehicle . However, unlike new vehicle manufacturers, as an individual you are not required to meet the full range of additional testing and equipment standards such as On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) requirements, durability testing, low emission fleet averaging, or Zero Emissions Vehicle testing (LEV and ZEV requirements). So while these standards reference what a manufacturer must do, when required by the Direct Import requirements they apply to individuals importing a used motor vehicle.

Motorcycles and heavy-duty engines - (used in trucks and buses) are required to comply with CA or USEPA from the date of manufacturer, no after-the-fact modification is permitted for products first sold outside the US market.

Diesel vehicles - 1979 model year and older vehicles with original-equipment diesel engines are exempt from Direct Import lab testing requirements. Please note that any vehicle converted to operate on diesel fuel is subject to lab testing requirements if it is a 1968 model year vehicle or newer.

More information about California registration for Nissan Skyline and other direct import vehicles. 

1) What cars can I register in California?

A - We are now able to bring cars into California compliance. More information - http://www.gtrusablog.com/2015/11/first-california-legal-nissan-skyline.html .California has its own EPA, called the ARB(Air Resources Board) often called the California Air Resources Board. The ARB sets California requirements. California is the only state to be able to set its own emissions standards, separate from the Federal EPA. So in the case of imported (direct import) vehicles over 21 years old, while they are Federally legal to import, the ARB controls the registration of vehicles though the California DMV. This makes this a difficult question to answer unless you go through all the questions below.

 

2) What are direct import vehicles?

A - Often also called grey market vehicles. § 39024.6. Direct import vehicle

Direct import vehicle means any light-duty motor vehicle manufactured outside of the United States which was not intended by the manufacturer for sale in the United States and which was not certified by the state board pursuant to Article 1 (commencing with Section 43100) of Chapter 2 of Part 5.

Added Stats 1989 ch 859 § 1.

 

3) What is a used direct import vehicle?

A - 44200. Used direct import vehicle

For purposes of this chapter, used direct import vehicle means any 1975 or later model-year direct import vehicle not required to be certified as a new direct import vehicle pursuant to this part.

For purposes of this section, the age of a motor vehicle shall be determined by the following, in descending order of preference: (a) From the first calendar day of the model year as indicated in the vehicle identification number.

(b) From the last calendar day of the month the vehicle was delivered by the manufacturer as shown on the foreign title document.

(c) From January 1 of the same calendar year as the model year shown on the foreign title document.

(d) From the last calendar day of the month the foreign title document was issued.

Added Stats 1985 ch 1138 § 2. Amended Stats 1986 ch 248 § 154; Stats 1989 ch 859 § 6

 

4) What vehicles may be registered in California without certification?

A - § 44210. Vehicles which may be registered without certification

The requirements of Section 44202 do not apply to any motor vehicle having a certificate of conformity issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7401, et seq.) and originally registered in another state by a person who was a resident of that state for at least one year prior to the original registration, who subsequently establishes residence in this state and who, upon registration of the vehicle in California, provides evidence satisfactory to the Department of Motor Vehicles of that previous residence and registration.      VIN 2017-15 Direct Import Vehicles Update closes the exemption on direct import vehicles in California. For more information contact the California DMV.

Added Stats 1985 ch 1138 § 2.

 

5) I have a 1974 vehicle that I want to import, can I register it in California.

A - Not without meeting EPA requirements as defined here - http://www.importavehicle.info/2014/12/california-certification-procedures-for.html

1968 model year to 1974 model year vehicles: California does not recommend the purchase or importation of these years of NON-USA vehicles, even if currently registered in another state. These vehicles require compliance with USEPA requirements in effect on the specific date of 11/15/1972. This provision when written, was considered by the California legislature as a gradual phase-out of very dirty non-collectable types of imports, as this specific requirement was understood to become increasingly difficult to meet. Today, this requirement, while not impossible to meet, would require testing expenses and modifications that far exceed most vehicles value and would make little sense from a collectors standpoint to attempt. The limited exemptions that could have applied to individuals moving to California were closed by VIN 2017-15 (Direct Import Vehicles Update)  Contact us for more information.

 

6) What year non US spec vehicles are exempt from California emissions requirements?

A - 1967 model year vehicles and older: no modifications and testing are required to register the vehicle in California.

 

7) What about diesel vehicles into California?

A - 1979 model year and older vehicles with original-equipment diesel engines are exempt from Direct Import lab testing requirements. Please note that any vehicle converted to operate on diesel fuel is subject to lab testing requirements if it is a 1968 model year vehicle or newer.

 

8) How about importing motorcycles?

Motorcycles are required to comply with CA or USEPA from the date of manufacturer, no after-the-fact modification is permitted for products first sold outside the US market.

 

8) Once brought into California compliance, which vehicles do not require a biennial smog check?

Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model-year 1975 and older. Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are eight model years and newer do not require a biennial Smog Check. Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are four model years and newer do not require a change-of-ownership Smog Check. Diesel-powered vehicles that are model-year 1997 and older. Diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 14,000 pounds. Electric-powered vehicles. Motorcycles. Smog Check FAQ at the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR)

California legalization process steps

1. Vehicle is sold, customer pays for vehicle

2. Vehicle is inspected and reviewed

3. Modifications to put to stock, or service are performed

4. Car is taken to the lab

5. Lab intakes the vehicle

6. Lab modifies vehicle which can include catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, evap canisters

7. Lab runs a pre test smog on vehicle to inspect the emissions output

8. If everything is fine on the pre test, then the car is scheduled to go to the FTP dyno

9. If the car has any issues with the pre-test then it is inspected, repaired, and parts are replaced. 

10. The car will go back to get pre-tested again, and the cycle will repeat until it has met the required standards. 

11. Once the pre-test is done, the car is scheduled to go on the FTP dyno test. That test requires the vehicle to be prepared, cold, and then is driven over an 11 mile drive cycle.

12. The vehicle is then shut down, hot soaked, then there is another 11 mile drive cycle.

13. All emissions coming from the vehicle are tested, and must meet a set of requirements for the year of the vehicle. 

14. If the vehicle fails any portion, it has to be retested. Only one test can be performed per day, per vehicle. 

15. Normally when a vehicle fails, it will be several days before the schedule allows the same vehicle to go back on the FTP dyno.

16. Once that testing is done and passed, the paperwork is submitted to the ARB

17. An appointment for a California smog referee is scheduled.

18. The vehicle goes to the referee, the referee inspects the vehicle,  then the referee tests the vehicle. If it meets all of the California smog referee standards, then the vehicle gets a BAR, or Bureau of Automotive Repair label. 

19. Once the vehicle has the BAR label, it is ready for pick up from G&K. 

20. Once the vehicle is picked up, an appointment for a California CHP VIN verification can be scheduled

21. Once the VIN has been inspected, the final checks of the car are done, then the vehicle is ready for pickup. 

 

Something as simple as a small, nearly undetectable vacuum leak can make a vehicle's emissions fail. Electrical system components that are 25 years or older can fail, and deteriorate with time. We can have a vehicle that appears to be running completely fine, but emissions fail.  Too lean will fail, and too rich will fail.   However, over the last 24 years, we have brought several hundred cars into California compliance. A California certified car will always be worth more, and the peace of mind of having a car legal in the state.