Im graduating for OSU in a few months and will be moving to South California near the Mojave Desert. I want to avoid registering my cars in california but if i have to, will my 1983 300D be subjected to any tests for state emmisions? And given my 300s rather limited cooling capacity, is this a bad idea to bring this car here with all the mountains and desert heat? What do you all think? Leave the benz in columbus or bring it to the desert?

Hello Jeepguy:
There are lots of diesels in So California. My brother drives his 240D out to Ft.Irwin and to Tucson with no problems, even to Edwards AFB ;) - these things are used in North Africa as well, where there are REAL big time deserts.

You can probably get away without registration for a while, but the DMV has a "we tip" program for people that turn in people who are here for over a certain time period without registering there cars. I don't know all the details but one of the campus security officers used to write down out of state license numbers while he cruised the parking lots of the University. He claimed he got donut money that way.

CA also has a 1(800)CUT-SMOG number where people can phone in polluting vehicle license #s for official attention.
Welcome to the BANANA (Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone) republic of California, home of cleaner environments through increased regulation - you know, like with electricity !

Thanks JCE,

Cool, i be be within 50 miles of Edwards AFB. So California has a toll-free # now to report polluting vehicles! So when someone is riding my @$$ on the freeway and i punch the benz that leaves the guy in a black cloud not to mention a pleasent smell, i have to worry about my automobile being reported! Diesel's pollute far less than their gasoline counterparts, so no need to worry right?
I dont know how strict California is on registering your vehicles. But my sister has had Ohio plates in Mass for years now who goes to Univ. of Mass, and my dad had Ohio plates in NJ for over 9 years and just resently got the NJ's. THanks for your reply!

Jeepguy:
I don't think they go after diesels yet on the smog issue, and it is unlikely that you will get called in on plates either - just a big fine if they get you. A lot of CA's rules on out of state vehicles were recently overturned by court order, so who knows what will happen when you apply for a CA license. BTW, my son's GF just graduated from OSU! We aren't too far down the road, let me know when you're settled and maybe we can grab a cup.

BTW, mike posted his comments below while I was editing this - I would listen to his post. He knows these things, I'm working on hear-say!

[Edited by JCE on 01-20-2001 at 01:21 AM]

Jeepguy,

If you are coming out to sunny So. Cal. with the military, then you can be excused from having to register your car in the State. If you are simply moving out here as Jeepguy Q. Public, then you are required to register the car within ten days of moving. It used to be 20 days, but the State found they could reap many more dollars in back fees.

That is how the law is written. Take a little time, get settled, but don't take too long. Just remember you moved here 10 days ago. A caveat - if the local constabulary should happen to drive by your abode, and note out-of-State tags, for an extended period, you could receive a summons to the DMV complete with fines already listed.

Fortunately they recently declared the environmental impact fee unconstitutional. That used to bump the registration $300.00 above and beyond the normal registration costs.

Let us know when you get here, well on second thought, um, let me know sometime after you have your tags :D

I thought, as far as smog laws are concerned, if you bring a car from out of state, it has to meet the federal emmisions requirements. I'm not sure if you do have to convert it, though it probably has to have some emissions controls.

I would contact the local DMV in california, or find out information from the smog referee from the DMV. The referee's job is to either exempt or pass cars that fail smog, which will cost more than a certain amount to repair based on the years. so if you have a 1978 and the repairs to the smog would cost $300 and the max you would have to spend to be qualified for the ref, was $150 then you could get it refereed. the refs will probably easily be able to tell you what needs to be done for the smog if anything, or the DMV website for california is http://www.dmv.ca.gov. You should be able to get information there, and possibly forms to fill out and all.

I had to get my truck refereed years ago when I had it, because it wouldn't pass and I had already spent more than the maximum needed. When I went to the referee station, they adjusted the car, and it not only passed the smog test they ran, but it ran better, and only cost me the standard fees for a smog certificate.

Hope that helps some

Alon

jeepguy,

Congratulations on your graduation! Too bad they didn't get the cowboy hat on the stadium before your leaving.

You've really done it now! Mike knows you're coming, and will be waiting eleven days after your arrival with ticket book in hand. You need to be less public with such information.<g>

Have a great career,

Thanks for your replys;
Alon, registration fees are based on engine size and what else in california, I heard they are outragous. I have a 1977 Caddy Seville which i want to bring to California. It has the 350EFI engine but it will be 25 yrs old soon and will have historical vehicle plates on it soon. Do these cars go through the same smog tests and registration as other cars?
Mike,Yes i do plan on the military (air force)Do i need to join before i make the move or can i after and still not need to register cars in California?
JCE, Sounds good. I wont be out there till the summer though
Very funny Larry! :O)

As far as military, you have to be duty active duty. Perhaps if you were coming to CA for boot camp, they'd exempt you, but I don't know of any AF boot camps in the Mojave. Maybe you can slide on in to San Diego and sign up at MCRD instead :).