Diesel Cars and Trucks for California Compliance : Direct Import Diesel Vehicles

Diesels and California. People confuse Federal, California, and in use testing requirements. It is important to understand that each requirement is different, but in order to have a fully legal vehicle, you need to meet all the requirements.  For the EPA, a vehicle over 21 years old in original configuration is exempt. For California a direct import diesel vehicle 1979 or older is exempt from direct import requirements.

For smog, or in use testing, a diesel vehicle 1997 or older is exempt from testing.  So if you bring a 1995 diesel direct import, or a vehicle that was never originally sold in the USA, aka does not meet EPA requirements as built, and want to register it in California, it first has to go to the emissions testing lab.  This testing can exceed the value of many vehicles, so not very many diesel vehicles are properly brought into California compliance. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Financing Available for vehicles in the United States or in our inventory in Japan.  We can finance vehicles in our inventory in Japan as long as they are stored with us. This financing option is only available to US residents. . Nationwide Shipping Available Please contact us for details. 844-523-2233 or sales@importavehicle.com