Hey guys, I've been trying to research this for a while, but it's pretty confusing and I keep reading different things. I have an 87 base model with a T2 swap. No emissions at all, straight pipe with one muffler. Will never pass emissions in a million years.

So, I moved from FL to AZ a few months ago, still haven't got my tags or license switched over. They both expire in September. I've been thinking about moving to CA at the end of the year. Can I keep my FL tag or AZ tag if I get it switched over and not have to worry about emissions? I haven't been bothered in AZ yet about the FL tags and it's been about 3 months, but it's a small town, didn't know if they were stricter in CA. Probably the Sacramento area.

I probably won't be living in CA for more then a year. If I stayed longer I would get a tow vehicle and make my FC a track car like I originally planned, finances just don't allow me to buy another vehicle at the moment. I really want to get out to CA, but I'd hate to have to sell my car.

I'm sure the obvious answer seems to be make my car emissions legal, but it would probably cost more then the car is worth to do that.

Thanks for any help! Emissions are dumb.

 

Emissions ARE dumb.. as far as I know you can just keep it up to date in the other state and drive it here until you get pulled over, and then tell them you are just visiting. Or register it in a county where they don't smog test, but that is kinda rare here in ca. You COULD get a legit stock setup and do the swap just to pass smog, but its a lot of work...

 

Sacramento cops can be real ******** about the out of state tags...depends on the officer

 

Thanks for the info! I drive my car like a granny most of the time so I would hope they wouldn't have a reason to pull me over. Unless they are allowed to after seeing me there for too long with out of state tags. I didn't realize there one any except counties in CA. I'll have to look into that.

 

There are technically no smog exempt counties in Ca, just some that don't require bi-annual testing. In those counties you do still have to pass a smog check for title transfers. Im not sure how new registrations from out of state work, you may have to smog for that first year.

 

Just get dat smog hook up when you move down here hahaha But yea you would eventually have to get CA plates since you are going to live here.

 

I am from Florida

Keep it registered there enough said.

Look at my cars mod list below lol

 

Alex, how do you renew the registration, will they send it to you CA? Or I suppose it gets shipped to my mom's house in FL so I could just have her ship it to me. You don't get bothered for the FL plates?

 

I get them shipped straight from dmv to California. Registered address and shipping addres doesnt have to be the same. I been florida plates since 2006. I still own property in florida and pay florida taxes.

 

you might get state reffed if they see you around enough. rule is you have to register if you're here more than a month.

just saying because I had a friend who did the same thing with florida plates but they ended up getting him.

 

get state refd and do what?

been there done that. I got pulled over cop got super excited about all the goodies he discovered only for the judge to dismiss the case because the vehicle is not registered in the state.

Of course you must be nice to get the treatment. you cant be driving like a mad man and think you are untouchable because of out of state plates.

I personally had the "see state reffere" sticker. When i went they literally laughed at me. And these were his words...

"ok theres nothing i can do i cant scan your registration or sign off your ticket because theres no system to file it" "You also dont have to abide by california smog laws unless you are a permenant resident" "Here is my number in case anyone asks went you go to court.

Unless you plan on living in california forever.... all you have to say i am here tempory my home of record is blahhhh and dont give them any dates. ITS NOT THE COPS BUSINESS when you are moving in or out.

I always told them this "SIR SO YOU GIVE TICKETS TO ALL OUT OF STATE DRIVERS JUST BECAUSE THEY CROSSED A STATE LINE"

 

Dont think they will give you a ticket for something else. You will win the modification and smog tickets but not the speeding,red lights, turn signals, etc.....

 

alex: do you have a CA license or CA insurance on the car?

 

So get your Arizona plates. Then carry a duffel bag with personals like clothes.
If a cop pulls you over tell him you transit between states, but your primary residence is AZ.

 

Integral

Nope both are Florida

 

Thanks God that's not the case Alex, or the CHP would be drooling each year waiting in Blythe for our SS caravan to cross the AZ/Cali state line