Hello my name is Joe I'm in San Diego California if you recently purchased a Delica and you're trying to get it registered in California I can help you out I know how to do it it's not as complicated as you've heard also if you need a good place to get your Delica worked on take it to F&M Auto in Mira Mesa
registration in California
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iliketowalk
Active Member
Do tell. I'm about the start the process, talking to vin verifiers now.
sorry I pushed the wrong button... in your case it's not necessary to go to a private vehicle identification number specialist just take it to the DMV and have them inspect it after you've done that and filled out all of their forms and have your temporary registration and have paid them all of your money then go in and give them your paperwork if the first person doesn't accept it wait a couple of days and go to a different DMV ..... it took me two different DMVs but it's done!!
Another San Diego Delica! SWEET! Will have to talk to the guys at F&M. I can also recommend the team at John's Automotive Care in Mission Valley.
The most important thing to do is to go to the DMV before you are 10-day grace. Is up and pay them all of the money and get your temporary registration that's the pink sticker that you tape on the back window then fill out all of the forms that they give you let the DMV verify the VIN number go back in after the verification and see if they pass it if they don't pass it take all of that paperwork to a different DMV until you find the right clerk that knows the rules and get it passed I had to go to two different DMVs
Upon further research, you seem to be leaving out a lot of important information about registering a Delica in California. For example, you don't talk about registering direct imports vs. registering Delicas that have already been imported to the US, but were registered outside of California.
You give the impression that it's easy. But, from what I've read at many other sources, it's not.
Is there anyone on this forum who can tell me how best to buy a Delica that can be easily registered in California. I assume I look for one that was registered in another state, and then register it in California. If I did that, can someone in this forum describe the steps I need to take to get it registered in California?
You give the impression that it's easy. But, from what I've read at many other sources, it's not.
Is there anyone on this forum who can tell me how best to buy a Delica that can be easily registered in California. I assume I look for one that was registered in another state, and then register it in California. If I did that, can someone in this forum describe the steps I need to take to get it registered in California?
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If I understand you correctly, you are telling us to get it registered in California you just go to the CA DMV. You add that, if one CA DMV doesn't register it, go to a second DMV.
I've read about other situations where getting it registered in California had complications. In one case, someone tried to direct import and register it in California. California doesn't allow that. So the California DMV had that attempt in its database. Because the original importer couldn't register in California, they registered in Montana instead. However, because the California DMV already had that initial attempt in its computer system, there's no way that Delica could be registered in California in the future without expensive compliance modifications. Another complication I read about had to do with the VIN plate. If the original importer didn't get a US compliant VIN plate installed, there was trouble getting the Delica registered in California.
My point is that it isn't always as easy as just going to the DMV and registering it.
I've read about other situations where getting it registered in California had complications. In one case, someone tried to direct import and register it in California. California doesn't allow that. So the California DMV had that attempt in its database. Because the original importer couldn't register in California, they registered in Montana instead. However, because the California DMV already had that initial attempt in its computer system, there's no way that Delica could be registered in California in the future without expensive compliance modifications. Another complication I read about had to do with the VIN plate. If the original importer didn't get a US compliant VIN plate installed, there was trouble getting the Delica registered in California.
My point is that it isn't always as easy as just going to the DMV and registering it.
You sir are absolutely correct if you even try and attempt to go through the CHP or carb in California you are going to get blacklisted and you will not be able to register it at all that's why I explain to you you go to the DMV and the DMV only that's only works if the vehicle is already registered if it's not then you will not get that registered in California without spending $5,000 for emissions
Well, as one of those lucky people, who went through this...
A guide (not set in stone) to registering a Delica in California is...
If another state has done the importation paperwork and the vehicle has been properly titled, registered, insured, owned, etc in another state. Then when the CA DMV does the paperwork, they SHOULD only need the out of state title (signed over), and the new registration. A point of contention is if it has a diesel engine, then they can process the Delica as a 22+ year old diesel powered van, which in CA does not require a SMOG certification. If on the other hand, you have the gasoline version, then you will need to pass SMOG in order to get registered.
If on the other hand, the importation paperwork is not done, and you are bringing it in the United States via California. Then, you MUST have the vehicle certified to EPA specifications (a $5,000 sticker and diesel particulate filter which takes 3 months), and then you can have the DMV attempt to process the registration.
Now, my issue is that one of the previous owners had tried to register the car as an import in California, gotten stuck with the EPA certification, and then took the import/title/registration to Montana to get plates. So, although my Delica had been imported via Montana, had a Montana title and license plate, the CA DMV also had a record of that VIN being denied registration for lack of EPA certification. So, I was forced to "do it right"
But, and here's the tricky problem. If your local DMV person decides that your Delica is "off" and sends the paperwork to the Special Processing Unit then you may be stuck in the same boat, with a VIN that is flagged. So, if you go to another DMV, you may/might/maybe have better luck.
Have fun and be patient.
A guide (not set in stone) to registering a Delica in California is...
If another state has done the importation paperwork and the vehicle has been properly titled, registered, insured, owned, etc in another state. Then when the CA DMV does the paperwork, they SHOULD only need the out of state title (signed over), and the new registration. A point of contention is if it has a diesel engine, then they can process the Delica as a 22+ year old diesel powered van, which in CA does not require a SMOG certification. If on the other hand, you have the gasoline version, then you will need to pass SMOG in order to get registered.
If on the other hand, the importation paperwork is not done, and you are bringing it in the United States via California. Then, you MUST have the vehicle certified to EPA specifications (a $5,000 sticker and diesel particulate filter which takes 3 months), and then you can have the DMV attempt to process the registration.
Now, my issue is that one of the previous owners had tried to register the car as an import in California, gotten stuck with the EPA certification, and then took the import/title/registration to Montana to get plates. So, although my Delica had been imported via Montana, had a Montana title and license plate, the CA DMV also had a record of that VIN being denied registration for lack of EPA certification. So, I was forced to "do it right"
But, and here's the tricky problem. If your local DMV person decides that your Delica is "off" and sends the paperwork to the Special Processing Unit then you may be stuck in the same boat, with a VIN that is flagged. So, if you go to another DMV, you may/might/maybe have better luck.
Have fun and be patient.
scot
New Member
I'm confused: everything that I've read on the DMV registration requirements is that an out of state registered vehicle requires both a Federal Certification Label as well as an Emission label. From what I've seen, none of the Delicas when imported have either of those and their VINs are 10 digits which is not the typical 17-digit US format. Many people have mentioned being sent to the CHP -- don't they also check for these other labels, in addition to the VIN? How are you able to register a Delica if it doesn't have either of these labels that are described in Reg 31?
As for the advice of going to multiple DMVs -- when they conduct the VIN verification, if they do not find the Federal Certification then Reg 31 instructs them to refer you to CHP. Are you able to go to another DMV or must you go to the CHP as referred?
As for the advice of going to multiple DMVs -- when they conduct the VIN verification, if they do not find the Federal Certification then Reg 31 instructs them to refer you to CHP. Are you able to go to another DMV or must you go to the CHP as referred?
you're asking me to explain to you how a government agency Works in California as they don't know what they're doing how would I..... all I can tell you it is when they told me to go to the CHP I went to a different DMV the gal said to me that the VIN numbers don't fit in the Box she called the guy over some guy push two buttons on the computer and I walked out of there with my plates all I can tell you is California doesn't have any means of refunding money all they care about is money make sure you paid all of your money read all of the post s clearly
In some cases, when your car was imported into Canada (or another state) they put an assigned VIN number on it. That's what my car has, an 17 digit assigned VIN from British Columbia.
bikerjosh
Well-Known Member
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My experience
Norcal. L300 titled in , another state before I bought it and transported to California. Had all the documentation from the shipper that transported from Japan-FL including US Customs Declaration form, EPA exclusion form (not signed by anyone other than dealer), FL title, CA transfer of title form already filled out.
8am DMV opens,
verified, walked inside and waited to be seen
8:55 walking out with plates and reg sticker.
Never asked to see any import paper work, EPA form with exclusion box checked, or anything else.
Worker just put in the 11 digit vin, had a supervisor override non standard vin. Had me write a check.
Not sure if I was lucky, prepared, or if just being polite helped me through the process? Probably a combo of all three.
Never had to go to CHP, which two different verification firms told me was going to be automatic. Alright have to end this as I've exceeded my emoji count for a single post.
My experience
Norcal. L300 titled in , another state before I bought it and transported to California. Had all the documentation from the shipper that transported from Japan-FL including US Customs Declaration form, EPA exclusion form (not signed by anyone other than dealer), FL title, CA transfer of title form already filled out.
8am DMV opens,
verified, walked inside and waited to be seen
8:55 walking out with plates and reg sticker.
Never asked to see any import paper work, EPA form with exclusion box checked, or anything else.
Worker just put in the 11 digit vin, had a supervisor override non standard vin. Had me write a check.
Not sure if I was lucky, prepared, or if just being polite helped me through the process? Probably a combo of all three.
Never had to go to CHP, which two different verification firms told me was going to be automatic.
Alright have to end this as I've exceeded my emoji count for a single post.
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