registration in California

If it's already registered in Louisiana then just keep it registered in Louisiana and save yourself all of this California BS
 
Dude I am kicking myself. The seller kept the plates I didn't feel comfortable asking him to let me use his address. (Barely knew the guy)

I have a good friend up in a rural part of Washington and the DMV is right near him. I'm tempted to have him put it in his name in WA state. Just paranoid they may ask to see the vehicle during the registration process and it's here in LA. Plus it's already partially registered here. I already paid the CA DMV $225 and already applied for a title. Oh the dilemma and fun that awaits.

Truth be told I know a guy who could maybe help but again it's that box that throws me off. Just seems weird that all cars that get registered in CA from out of state have to have the emissions sticker stating "MEETS US EPA AND CALIFORNIA STANDARDS." What if the car wasn't originally sold here. Why would it say CA? Plus it's a 1990 so were vehicles back then equipped with the same stickers that they are today? Would a 1990 Mitsubishi Montero originally sold in Florida have an emissions sticker saying it meets both US and CA standards? That throws me off but I guess I have a lot of homework to do.
 
It's the 13 digit vinl number that is Raising all the red flags if you put three zeros in front of the VIN number in the empty boxes and go to a different DMV and start the whole process over you will Glide right through
 
Option b.... go get yourself a disabled placard.... easy to do in this screwed-up state... the Ada Act of 1996 clearly states that any van can be registered to a disabled person for their disability the key word there is any.... option C send $22 to the great state of Montana and within 9 days they will send you a license plate..... don't give up quite yet
 
Thank you all. The wife thinks I royally screwed up if I don't get this thing on the road legally. I told her non-sense but I need to get moving. Appreciate the guidance and moral support. I really would like to do this the right way, but if I can't get a car legally registered in Louisiana transferred over to CA, Montana might be it.

My buddy in Washington is game though but I would hate for him to start the paperwork process and then they say please pull it up around back. The 4d56-t is swell and all, but 18 plus hours up the coast right now ain't for me.
 
Guero_Pajero said:
I'm in a very similar situation. Legally registered in Louisiana and shipped here to Cali. Had most of the paperwork done correctly but the DMV required Vin verification (Form 31). She couldn't find the sticker under the hood regarding epa emissions. I could see this going south quickly so I told her I'd check my paperwork at home and would be back. I know I can get the vin verification done at a private facility but box number 9 on Form 31 is what scares me. It's regarding emissions. Yes I know it's a diesel and the law should be on my side but if the wrong box is checked I know I can get screwed.

Any advice would be super helpful. Trying to be as above board as possible. thinking about having a friend register in his name in Washington if this fails me. Thanks all
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Have you tried calling a private VIN verifier and asking them? I mean, the worst thing they could say is that they won't tell you.
 
Thomb said:
Have you tried calling a private VIN verifier and asking them? I mean, the worst thing they could say is that they won't tell you.
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not a bad idea actually. It was mentioned earlier that you need both checked but I’m going to call around and do my homework. Stand by friends. Will report back. Thanks again!
 
Caliphotog said:
How did it go?? Any luck?
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I got a little lazy so not a lot happened in June and July but I just took it to a private vin verifier and will be picking up my paperwork next week. He said it's good and shouldn't be a problem at the DMV. Fingers crossed. I'll keep this thread informed.
 
Guero_Pajero said:
I got a little lazy so not a lot happened in June and July but I just took it to a private vin verifier and will be picking up my paperwork next week. He said it's good and shouldn't be a problem at the DMV. Fingers crossed. I'll keep this thread informed.
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Best of luck and hope you have great success!
 
This is such a headache! If the CA registration thing is taking too long, you could transfer to Arizona maybe? It's very easy to get an AZ DL, and once you have that, vehicle services are almost fully online/phone. I take grey market cars imported thru Long Beach to the AZDOT inspection station at Ehrenberg, right on the 10 at the border, then back to Los Angeles (you won't even have to do this part since your car already has a US title). Docs are uploaded to the AZ MVD website and a phone call initiates the process, with title and reg completed typically either on the same call (takes about 20 mins) or by the next day if they want to take their time and call you back. The drive is only 3.5hrs each way, so very easy to knock out in a morning if you leave early enough. This'll at least get your wife off your back and get you on the road as you follow 4 wheeler's advice for getting CA registration.
In my personal experience though, no law enforcement in CA cares about an AZ-plated Delica. It's a sufficiently camper-looking vehicle that could very plausibly be touring the country, and you're sure not breaking any speed limits. I've never had an issue with my AZ plates in two years of ownership, haven't even bothered with attempting CA.
 
Hey Friends,

So I finally got my rig registered in CA. I've heard of the different ways people have successfully accomplished it, but for me, I took it to a 3rd party vin verifier as well as a 3rd party DMV registration office here in Los Angeles. After a few months, yes months, it all worked out and I got the plates, pink slip, and even got State Farm to insure it.

I've owned JDM cars before and never was able to register them here in CA, but this time was different because it was already registered legitimately out of state and it's a diesel.

(Gray market gas cars tend to get referred to the state referee and they are so serious about emissions compliance, US DOT standards etc that it's pretty much a dead end. Dude had a massive binder with photos of nearly every possible Honda/Acura modification (aftermarket intakes, headers, cam sprockets, etc) it was bonkers. Like someone in the government got paid to compile a list of all of the aftermarket no no's.

Anyway, I was very very close to doing the Montana LLC thing with my Mitsubishi, or having a buddy register it in Washington state or AZ, but my fear was that the DMV in WA or AZ would actually want to see the car. I called the Pacific Auto place in San Diego that many many people have had success with, but they never really followed up with me. Not bashing the place, they were clearly busy.

I figured I'd give it one more shot though with the 3rd party vin verifier and low and behold it worked.

Don't give up friends. It is possible.
 
Guero_Pajero said:
Hey Friends,

So I finally got my rig registered in CA. I've heard of the different ways people have successfully accomplished it, but for me, I took it to a 3rd party vin verifier as well as a 3rd party DMV registration office here in Los Angeles. After a few months, yes months, it all worked out and I got the plates, pink slip, and even got State Farm to insure it.

I've owned JDM cars before and never was able to register them here in CA, but this time was different because it was already registered legitimately out of state and it's a diesel.

(Gray market gas cars tend to get referred to the state referee and they are so serious about emissions compliance, US DOT standards etc that it's pretty much a dead end. Dude had a massive binder with photos of nearly every possible Honda/Acura modification (aftermarket intakes, headers, cam sprockets, etc) it was bonkers. Like someone in the government got paid to compile a list of all of the aftermarket no no's.

Anyway, I was very very close to doing the Montana LLC thing with my Mitsubishi, or having a buddy register it in Washington state or AZ, but my fear was that the DMV in WA or AZ would actually want to see the car. I called the Pacific Auto place in San Diego that many many people have had success with, but they never really followed up with me. Not bashing the place, they were clearly busy.

I figured I'd give it one more shot though with the 3rd party vin verifier and low and behold it worked.

Don't give up friends. It is possib
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Guero_Pajero said:
Hey Friends,

So I finally got my rig registered in CA. I've heard of the different ways people have successfully accomplished it, but for me, I took it to a 3rd party vin verifier as well as a 3rd party DMV registration office here in Los Angeles. After a few months, yes months, it all worked out and I got the plates, pink slip, and even got State Farm to insure it.

I've owned JDM cars before and never was able to register them here in CA, but this time was different because it was already registered legitimately out of state and it's a diesel.

(Gray market gas cars tend to get referred to the state referee and they are so serious about emissions compliance, US DOT standards etc that it's pretty much a dead end. Dude had a massive binder with photos of nearly every possible Honda/Acura modification (aftermarket intakes, headers, cam sprockets, etc) it was bonkers. Like someone in the government got paid to compile a list of all of the aftermarket no no's.

Anyway, I was very very close to doing the Montana LLC thing with my Mitsubishi, or having a buddy register it in Washington state or AZ, but my fear was that the DMV in WA or AZ would actually want to see the car. I called the Pacific Auto place in San Diego that many many people have had success with, but they never really followed up with me. Not bashing the place, they were clearly busy.

I figured I'd give it one more shot though with the 3rd party vin verifier and low and behold it worked.

Don't give up friends. It is possible.
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Congrats on the good news! do you by chance know how the VIN verification form was filled out? What boxes were checked etc? All of the third-party DMVoffices that I visited said that they wouldn't register a 25-year-old diesel and then I had to go to a main office for that. I'm glad you found success!
 
Guero_Pajero said:
Hey Friends,

So I finally got my rig registered in CA. I've heard of the different ways people have successfully accomplished it, but for me, I took it to a 3rd party vin verifier as well as a 3rd party DMV registration office here in Los Angeles. After a few months, yes months, it all worked out and I got the plates, pink slip, and even got State Farm to insure it.

I've owned JDM cars before and never was able to register them here in CA, but this time was different because it was already registered legitimately out of state and it's a diesel.

(Gray market gas cars tend to get referred to the state referee and they are so serious about emissions compliance, US DOT standards etc that it's pretty much a dead end. Dude had a massive binder with photos of nearly every possible Honda/Acura modification (aftermarket intakes, headers, cam sprockets, etc) it was bonkers. Like someone in the government got paid to compile a list of all of the aftermarket no no's.

Anyway, I was very very close to doing the Montana LLC thing with my Mitsubishi, or having a buddy register it in Washington state or AZ, but my fear was that the DMV in WA or AZ would actually want to see the car. I called the Pacific Auto place in San Diego that many many people have had success with, but they never really followed up with me. Not bashing the place, they were clearly busy.

I figured I'd give it one more shot though with the 3rd party vin verifier and low and behold it worked.

Don't give up friends. It is possible.
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Oh man - Congrats on solving that headache!
Sorry I didn't see this and reply sooner, but I had a similar experience!
Purchased my bb from DelicaUSA in 2018. Was registered in PA.
As soon as I got it shipped out, I went to a third party registration office in Oceanside and the nice lady there took care of all the paper work and took it to the DMV for me. In a few days, I had my Delica registered.
It was so easy (for me) I don't even know any of the details that went into the process :p
Maybe I just got really lucky? But I was pretty convinced that taking this avenue where sending someone on my behalf that knows the ins and outs of the DMV can get through all the BS for you.

Hope its as easy for anyone else that may be heading down this path as it was for me!

www.yelp.com

Pacific Choice Auto Registration - Oceanside, CA

Specialties: We specialize in DMV Auto Registration Renewals and Title transfers for both in state and out-of- state titles for Auto, Motorcycles, Trailers, Boats, OHV, classics and lien sales. We offer onsite services, vin verification, title bonds, and most importantly time saving. Our staff...
www.yelp.com www.yelp.com
Emily was the one that helped me.

P.S. I'm wondering if we could add this to the Delica Map?
 
dshin16 said:
Oh man - Congrats on solving that headache!
Sorry I didn't see this and reply sooner, but I had a similar experience!
Purchased my bb from DelicaUSA in 2018. Was registered in PA.
As soon as I got it shipped out, I went to a third party registration office in Oceanside and the nice lady there took care of all the paper work and took it to the DMV for me. In a few days, I had my Delica registered.
It was so easy (for me) I don't even know any of the details that went into the process :p
Maybe I just got really lucky? But I was pretty convinced that taking this avenue where sending someone on my behalf that knows the ins and outs of the DMV can get through all the BS for you.

Hope its as easy for anyone else that may be heading down this path as it was for me!

www.yelp.com

Pacific Choice Auto Registration - Oceanside, CA

Specialties: We specialize in DMV Auto Registration Renewals and Title transfers for both in state and out-of- state titles for Auto, Motorcycles, Trailers, Boats, OHV, classics and lien sales. We offer onsite services, vin verification, title bonds, and most importantly time saving. Our staff...
www.yelp.com www.yelp.com
Emily was the one that helped me.

P.S. I'm wondering if we could add this to the Delica Map?
Click to expand...
You got lucky at a very particular point in time, people have reported that Pacific Choice has really gone downhill in the past year and is no longer a reliable means of getting registered.
 
Guero_Pajero said:
Absolutely! I know they'd love to help out and increase their business. Texting him now to make sure it's cool to post their info.
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@Guero_Pajero Could you share your VIN verifier? I've been sitting on a Delica for 8 months, tried multiple avenues to get CA plates (and other states too!) via Pacific Choice. It's getting pretty desperate around here.
 
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