Bringing car bought in AL to California -- Will it pass smog emissions test? (sales, DMV)

[gogetadbl]

I have a 2004 Camry that I'd like to register in CA. I've live in AL my entire life so I've never had to go through smog testing before. Has anyone gone to CA to register an AL bought vehicle? I have no idea how the registration process over there is, but it's supposed to be so much stricter than in AL.

[rachelinala]

You'll miss the clean fresh air of Alabama. I have heard it's a real pain to get your vehicle registered here, not because of the smog testing...that you should be fine with.

[wisconsin woman]

Yes, it will need to pass emissions. My truck is from Az (another non-emissions state, partly) and was told by the DMV that I will need get that done before it can be registered here in Calif., despite that it was an Az truck.

[elousv]

I brought one in from Nevada. It is a 2001 and has the "50 state" line on the emission label. That seemed to be what the DMV cared about. That and the sales tax and the smog certificate.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by elousv

cared about. That and the sales tax and the smog certificate.

Not to put a fine point on it, but, it's actually called a use tax and not a sales tax although the amounts of the tax is identical. I just point that out so our friend with the car doesn't get confused about paying sales tax.

[elousv]

Yes the government has all types of ways to dress taxes. In the case of cars, what you would go to jail for in a second for double-dipping, they get away with infinite-dipping.

[gogetadbl]

Originally Posted by rachelinala

You'll miss the clean fresh air of Alabama. I have heard it's a real pain to get your vehicle registered here, not because of the smog testing...that you should be fine with.

Really? I loved being able to just go outdoors to relax. As a kid I spent so much time in the parks too...good thing I'm all growed up!

The main reason I asked this question is because AL seemed to have lower car prices than in surrounding states, so I was assuming that there is a lot of cost-cutting going on. Anyone know if this is true?

[RangerDuke08]

Yeah a '04 camry should be fine. Generally newer import model are already ultra low emissions.

California Smog Checks - Emissions Regulations, CA Smog Testing Stations - DMV.ORG

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Californias roadway system is "free" in part because of the tax at the pump and the tax that the DMV has you pay when you register a car in the state. Their in lies the "ability" to call it a use tax. You use the roads, the state pays you for it. here is another thing, if you dsecide to opt out of paying for the year because you have chosen to not drive a car you own, that car needs to remain off the road, parked on your property. The minute you move that car on a street in California you are required to pay the state the full amount for the use tax, and if you registered the car or truck as non operational and move the car they will charge you the additional late fees.

[gogetadbl]

Thanks for all the replies!! I was getting worried about how tough it was getting all this done, but with all these replies, this doesn't sound so intimidating anymore.