California CHP VIN inspection tips?

Depends on what state you live in or rather lan to register it again. If in California, van likely needs to be titled in another state first.
 
bikerjosh said:
Depends on what state you live in or rather lan to register it again. If in California, van likely needs to be titled in another state first.
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Definitely! If you try to bring an import vehicle directly into California from another country, you will definitely get flagged and then have to go through the CARB certification in order to get it registered in CA. If on the other hand, you have it registered and titled in another state and then bring it into California, then you are likely to have to get the VIN verified at CHP, but you may not have to go through the CARB certification.

But, if the CHP/DMV you are working with say that you do, then you may STILL have to get it CARB certified.

CARB certification is ONLY done by one testing lab/shop in the state. California Environmental Engineering/G&K Auto in Santa Ana, CA and costs $4,500-$7,000)

Now, there are some limited exemptions apply to people moving to California with vehicles registered in their name in their previous state for at least a year before moving to California. So, if you do import it yourself, then you could register it in another state for over a year, and then bring it into California. But, caveat emptor.
 
tjmassey said:
Hey all, sorry I haven't reported back yet. I did eventually get the van CA registered! Thanks for all your input. See below for my experience and tips:

@4 wheeler is correct in everything they said - follow their advice! Don't use Pacific Choice, they are unhelpful and terrible at communication. They eventually (after ~8 months) got my paperwork through the DMV (making false promises the whole time) and only then told me that the DMV was requiring I go to CHP for the VIN inspection. Pacific Choice said it would be no big deal and not to worry about it. I had read that people were having bad luck at CHP but I figured that since I had a diesel that was already registered in Oregon, maybe it would actually work out.

I didn't know what else to do at the time so I went to a CHP office and spoke to an officer who was surprisingly helpful but still told me I had no other choice but to get the "gray market" CARB modification, through this one specific company that they have apparently partnered with to do this modification (didn't tell me what the company was, whole process was weird and shady). He said that even though my diesel was exempt from regular emissions testing, it still had to be up to spec in U.S. manufacturing emissions standards (not even sure that this is actually true, or just part of the scam). He gave me a phone number to call and after doing some detective work, the phone number was indeed attached to G&K Auto (awful, horrible company, never give them your money!) I got very lucky here because I wasn't flagged at CHP (but from what I have read, you usually do get blacklisted, so DON'T even go to CHP, ever) and I did some research about G&K before contacting them. I gave them false info to stay anonymous and they quoted me $7,500 for the repair. Absolutely not. This entire process is entirely a scam.

I then went to a DMV near me and showed them the registration paperwork I had. They mentioned that it said I needed to go to CHP and I may or may not have told them that CHP "denied" me an appointment because they were "too busy." I said that I already did all of the paperwork and paid the fees, all that was needed was a VIN inspection because it's a short VIN. The woman at the desk said sure, and arranged for me to drive around back to do the inspection. Super easy, guys doing the inspections couldn't find the VIN plate (under the carpet below driver's knees) or chassis stamp (stamped into the metal between the driver door and the driver seat) but luckily I was able to point them both out and they passed the car. I walked back into the DMV and picked up my plates right then.

Hopefully this is helpful. Summary of what I learned:
- Don't use Pacific Choice. They used to be helpful in this process, but times have changed. The staff at their shop has changed (for the worse) and the DMV has gotten tougher on imports. They aren't worth your money. Do the research and go to the DMV yourself.
- DON'T go to CHP. You will probably not get lucky like I did, and your dreams of a CA Delica will be squashed.
- DON'T pay money to G&K Auto. They are bullshit. Don't support their scams. Lie if you have to, anything to avoid this.
- If one DMV denies you, go to a different DMV. Or go back a different day. It depends on who you talk to, and if you catch someone in the right mood or who doesn't really know what they are doing you could be saved a lot of money and stress.
- If the DMV tells you to go to CHP, maybe come back another day and tell them CHP wouldn't give you an appointment. I see no issue with a small lie when the only thing it's preventing is more money in G&K Auto's pocket. Any DMV should be able to do the VIN check. They just don't like to because of weird import rules and/or being lazy. But keep trying different DMV employees and hopefully you will get lucky.

Best of luck everyone!
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Congrats on getting the registration! Could you tell us which DMV you went to? Some have better odds than others...
 
Dilly Deli said:
Congrats on getting the registration! Could you tell us which DMV you went to? Some have better odds than others...
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I did all my DMV work through the Clairemont office, just north of San Diego. Everyone I worked with there was relatively helpful. This is where I got my VIN inspection done as well.
 
I have just been offered a gig in Santa Cruz. So worried that if I take it I will have to get rid of the van.

@sck_nogas - you mention if it's been registered in my name in another state for at least a year under my name, the process might go differently. I have that without a problem. Are there some resources you all can point me to? This whole process sounds like an absolute mess. I would hate to give up the van that I've put so much time into. It'd kill me!

I did search out some info on the DMV site and let's say I feel like I have conflicting info. However, that being said it reads easy enough as a registered out of state van moving to Cali.

So reading this, sounds like non-ca emissions vehicles are exempt when being moved to the state....also, reads like you cannot convert a diesel to be CA emissions compliant. Sounds is counter to what has been said regarding getting a mod done at G&K, no?
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Then there is this which makes it read like a SMOG cert isn't needed on such an old whip. Mines an 89'.
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I just feel like what I am reading on the DMV site is somewhat counter to what everyone is going through.
Maybe I need to do more research for the pieces to all fall into place in my brain.
 
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Go to the DMV with the following.... you are out-of-state title with your name on it current registration proof of insurance Vin verification number from a private Vin verifier that will cost you between 20 and $50 you will have to fill out two different forms at the DMV take more than $200 for registration you should walk out of there with plates and stickers
 
word and word.

Would you recommend the verification happen in Cali or does it matter?
 
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