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Rustyvdub
Samba Member
Joined: July 23, 2019
Posts: 9
Location: Acampo
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 Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:51 pm Post subject: California DMV smog |
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| If I purchase a 1971 VW from out of state. Is a smog test required when I register in California? |
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Paul Windisch
Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2009
Posts: 2546
Location: Clinton Township, Michigan
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| Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: California DMV smog |
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If I recall correctly, any vehicle prior to 1975 is exempt in California.
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Pruneman99
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2012
Posts: 5013
Location: Oceanside
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| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 11:18 am Post subject: Re: California DMV smog |
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| Paul Windisch wrote: |
| If I recall correctly, any vehicle prior to 1975 is exempt in California. |
Correct.
You will need a VIN inspection when you register it here though. No smog. Maybe basic safety check, lights, etc. I can't remember for sure. |
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KTPhil 
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006
Posts: 34003
Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 2:27 pm Post subject: Re: California DMV smog |
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| Pruneman99 wrote: |
| Paul Windisch wrote: |
| If I recall correctly, any vehicle prior to 1975 is exempt in California. |
Correct.
You will need a VIN inspection when you register it here though. No smog. Maybe basic safety check, lights, etc. I can't remember for sure. |
When I pulled mine out of an 8-year "non-op" registration, and was told CA-DMV purges records after 7 years, I was looking at a start-from-scratch registration until a helpful older lady rescued me.
Once over that, the actual inspection, probably what you will need to do, was done at the DMV on the spot, and involved showing the several VIN locations (by '71 there four), and for no good reason, the engine number (what could they do with it since they had no records, and it doesn't go on the registration?! oh well), and a check for brakes and lights. Took all of ten minutes.
Last edited by KTPhil on Fri Sep 13, 2019 2:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3450
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Wed Aug 28, 2019 5:36 pm Post subject: Re: California DMV smog |
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| Paul Windisch wrote: |
| If I recall correctly, any vehicle prior to 1975 is exempt in California. |
Vehicles 1975 and earlier are exempt from testing. The vehicles with exhaust controls 1966-1975 must retain their emission equipment and be in working order even though they are not inspected and tested. The reason for this is if CARB, BAR, or AQMD decide smog levels are rising, or the state is not in compliance with it's self imposed carbon offset levels that the state without going to the voters can re-instate the 1966-1975 cars back into the smog check program.
It is important that if you have such a car or buy one of these cars that you retain the emission equipment either on the car or in your garage so that if you are called up you won't be SOL looking for the parts. |
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bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
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| Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2019 8:00 am Post subject: Re: California DMV smog |
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| KTPhil wrote: |
| Pruneman99 wrote: |
| Paul Windisch wrote: |
| If I recall correctly, any vehicle prior to 1975 is exempt in California. |
Correct.
You will need a VIN inspection when you register it here though. No smog. Maybe basic safety check, lights, etc. I can't remember for sure. |
When I pulled mine out of an 8-year "non-op" registration, and was told CA-DMV purges records after 7 years, I was looking at a start-from-scratch registration until a helpful older lady rescued me.
Once over that, the actual inspection, probably what you will need to do, was done at the DMV on the spot, and involved showing the several VIN locations (by '71 there four), and for no good reason, the engine number (what could they do with it since they had no records, and it doesn't go on he registration?! oh well), and a check for brakes and lights. Took all of ten minutes. |
I have had non op cars for two decades in California, even after 2 decades the DMV sends me yearly offers to make the registered again. Thus in my case they never purged the rolls after 7 years.
Bug On!
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Busstom
Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2014
Posts: 3841
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 2:14 pm Post subject: Re: California DMV smog |
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| bluebus86 wrote: |
| KTPhil wrote: |
| Pruneman99 wrote: |
| Paul Windisch wrote: |
| If I recall correctly, any vehicle prior to 1975 is exempt in California. |
Correct.
You will need a VIN inspection when you register it here though. No smog. Maybe basic safety check, lights, etc. I can't remember for sure. |
When I pulled mine out of an 8-year "non-op" registration, and was told CA-DMV purges records after 7 years, I was looking at a start-from-scratch registration until a helpful older lady rescued me.
Once over that, the actual inspection, probably what you will need to do, was done at the DMV on the spot, and involved showing the several VIN locations (by '71 there four), and for no good reason, the engine number (what could they do with it since they had no records, and it doesn't go on he registration?! oh well), and a check for brakes and lights. Took all of ten minutes. |
I have had non op cars for two decades in California, even after 2 decades the DMV sends me yearly offers to make the registered again. Thus in my case they never purged the rolls after 7 years.
Bug On! |
Yeah, that's a weird one, dropping from the records during a non-op.
I'll do you one better: I have one that's been non-opped since '93, and dig this, I go into the DMV every year to pay the required fee to retain the personalized license plate assigned to it...so I KNOW mine's still in the system. Now someday when (if) I re-op it, they may require an inspection, but it won't be because it's "out of the system."
For those who are curious, in California, the fine print on the reverse side of the annual notice clearly says that if the vehicle has personalized plates, the annual retention fee is still due, regardless of operational status, else DMV reserves the right to revoke the plate and return it to "available" status  |
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