Registering a Tacoma from out of state to California

Does anyone know if Tacoma's from other states can be brought and registered to California?

Specifically a 2000 Tacoma 3.4 V6 4x4 with stock motor and exhaust?

I just want to make sure before I go through with it.

Thanks Tyler

 

They will run an emissions test on it. If it fails then you could be looking at some repairs.

Edit: sorry I was thinking of inspections.

 

I dont see why not. Just make sure you have all the paperwork and prior stuff done like a smog check and a possible VIN inspection.

 

california has some crazy stupid rules when it comes to smog checks. for example, a vehicle can fail the smog check for having chrome valve covers. as long as it can pass the smog check and the visual inspection, you will be fine. what state is the truck coming from?

 

Nevada, thats what I was worried about but they have smog test also. Tyler

 

is your tacoma a 50-states truck? i seem to remember this being an issue when i brought my chevy S10 into the state. my chevy had a sticker under the hood.

 

truth. done the out of state route a few times. Go thru AAA if you have it; so much time saved n less hassle.

 

Look at the underhood sticker and if it's a 50 state sticker (it will list CA) in there somewhere and all you need is smog. If it's not, then it will have to get inspected first by DMV and smogged.

 

So I just purchased a 2000 from Vegas. I talked to my Mechanic here and he said its not a big deal just needs to pass smog. Anyway I got the truck I wanted to replace my 2wd and my camper that I built will fit on it. The truck has some nice mods and a nice custom front bull bar as well as the 3.4L 5spd and roll down windows. All of the things I was looking for.

 

Nice. Change the air filter, clean the MAF, and change the plugs before the smog test...

 

Will do appreciate the advice. Tyler Also it has a K&N is that something that will affect it? Only reason I ask is because they have smog in Nevada and it passed there recently?

 

Not sure, I don't have one. Usually they would have a CA smog legal sticker on them I think. Yours may not.

This is also a really good reason to clean you MAF sensor, as it could be a little oil fouled if that is a wet K&N.

 

It's really not that bad to bring an out of state vehicle here. We've just got stupid ridiculous rules for cars SOLD in California. We brought in a Ford Escape that my wife used to drive that we picked up in Nebraska, of all places, that passed just fine here when we moved back.

If you're really worried about it, you can take it in for a pre-test to see if it will pass or not, and then go from there. For something like an intake, just contact the manufacturer and ask if it is compliant, and for the compliance sticker or paperwork for when you take it in for testing. All they really need is something stating it's SMOG legal. A lot of the intakes sold elsewhere will not pass our SMOG inspections though, so maybe just look for a stock intake for the test.

If you get through the pre-test, then just do the title transfer request, get it SMOG certified and register it.

 

I bought mine in Oregon but it was registered in Nevada and it passed ca smog with k/n intake and exhaust. Just look for the CARB sticker for the cai

 

Just an update for any one else in this boat. I purchased my truck in Nevada and it did not have the sticker that said 50 state certified and it has a K&N intake on it. Passed smog in Cali all you have to do is go to DMV they check the mileage and make you go to a scale if its from Nevada other than that it was easy. Also a side note the k&N sticker was not on it so k&N sent me another one so I could get my smog done, they wont do it without it.

 

lol no it can't. It can fail for having aftermarket valve covers with a breather though. Basically the aftermarket part has to operate like the stock part it is replacing. If it operates differently than the stock part it is replacing it needs to have a CARB cert stamped on it.

To the OP, your air filter needs in an enclosed box like the stock air filter, or have a CARB certification. The truck also needs a pre cat and catalytic converter. I registered my truck here which I bought from the original owner from AZ, no issues with smog, but a hassle yes. You need:

1. A weight certificate.
2. pay sales tax in the purchasing state then you pay CA DMV additional tax for any difference: for example lets say the purchase state has a 5% sales rate but CA has 7%, you pay your 5% to the purchase state, CA will still charge the extra 2% when you reg here.
3. Just pay sales tax when you reg here.
4. Smog check.
5. Registration, license fees.

 

This is exactly the process I had to do when I brought my 96 reg cab 4x4 from Nevada. The only reason I failed my smog the first time was because it had a crummy makeshift cone air filter intake on it and had no c.a.r.b. sticker on it. So I had to find someone with a stock one.

 

When I bought a vehicle in NV, they just didn't charge me sales tax because they said I will have to pay sales tax in the state/county that I lived in. DMV in CA charged me the full CA sales tax.

 

same here, I didn't pay anything to AZ and just paid the full CA sales tax after I brought the truck here (#3) Either way it comes out to be the same amount, just depends on where you want your money to go. I live, work and go to school here so I figured if I gotta pay it anyway, might as well keep the money here...