Quote:
Originally Posted by Noah930
If your motor is stock, most likely you'll pass the smog test. There are two parts to it: visual and sniffer. Your engine compartment must appear stock (i.e. with proper intake, exhaust, catalytic converter, smog pump, etc. all intact as it left the factory). If so, then the car is put on rollers and run through the sniffer test (as you probably have to do in your home state).
When you change registration to here in CA, it's supposed to be 50-state compliant. So technically the DMV will look for the appropriate 50-state compliant sticker. I had the guy from the DMV actually look for that sticker. If you lack it, you get sent to the CHP to get it sorted out. (And then you have to return to the DMV to finalize the paperwork after that.) On the other hand, when I got vehicles registered through AAA, I don't recall the woman/clerk really looking at much other than matching the VIN on the car to the VIN on the paperwork.
I think you have something short like 20 days to register your vehicle in CA. They actually ask you how long you've been in the state when you try to register your car. If more than the alloted time, you get fined.
Welcome. It's great car culture here.
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There is some incorrect, (technically outdated), info here. There is no longer any such requirement that registering an out-of-state used vehicle be "California compliant", ie. it was originally certified for sale in CA. There is no *sticker under the hood* deal or anything else. It was (correctly) ruled unconstitutional a decade or more ago, actually a violation of the Taft-Hartley law that regulates interstate commerce and people's right to travel between states looking for work. Any hindrance to that right is illegal, such as the fee CA used to charge to register a non-CA car here. They had to refund millions to people who had already paid it.
As for the smog, any smog place can do it. You do not need to take it to some special Porsche place anymore than I need to take my Toyota to special Toyota place. It will likely pass, (and the aftermarket muffler alone will have zero effect), plus it doesn't matter if it doesn't. You get it fixed and they re-test it for free. There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding failed smog tests. You simply take it again. For free.
If I was you, I'd keep the Jersey plates on it. I've had MN plates on both of last 2 911s for years with no hassles at all. Keep your NJ DL for that matter if you want. No one cares. If a cop pulls you over and asks how long you've been in CA, tell him it's none of their business. Because it isn't, legally speaking. I've been pulled-over with out-of-state plates and/or DL here and they never give a schit, so it's a moot point.
Welcome to the best place on earth to live.
