What part of California are you moving to? It's a big state and your options will vary depending on where you are and who you are close to.
Moving to California
I have a question on what I can do about moving to CA, I have an 04 with 203k on it and obviously I have a P0420 code for catalyst inefficiency, and I'm wondering what options I have, if any, to pass smog testing. Here in VA we don't have any smog testing of any kind so I have no experience with how it works. Is my only option to spend $3100 on OEM Honda cats for my car before I move so I can pass CARB smog? I will still have a legal address here in VA (moms house) and I was going to just leave my VA plates but since I'll be there for more than a year I'll have to get a CA license and I don't think I can keep VA tags with a CA license...
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Guess I should have mentioned that, I’ll be in South Bay LA.What part of California are you moving to? It's a big state and your options will vary depending on where you are and who you are close to.
You'll have to provide the county and city so you can get accurate information, it varies depending on where you'll be, "South Bay" won't do it.
Oh, does the county and city matter for this? Different testing requirements for different counties and cities? We don’t have an address yet, still looking for a place to live, but it should be known by the end of the week I believe.You'll have to provide the county and city so you can get accurate information, it varies depending on where you'll be, "South Bay" won't do it.
You will need to pass smog anywhere in the south bay.
Are you permanently staying in CA? If it's only temporary I'd just stick with the VA licence and registration. Otherwise you'll need a CA compliant cat.
Sorry to hear about your situation.
Sorry to hear about your situation.
Maybe enlist @KLR3CYL to help you with the repairs to get past the smog check? There is a process, probably best navigated with his help?
I think this is probably what I’ll end up doing. I don’t plan on staying there long term, just a few years hopefully.Are you permanently staying in CA? If it's only temporary I'd just stick with the VA licence and registration. Otherwise you'll need a CA compliant cat.
Sorry to hear about your situation.
This is what I thought. Are there parts of California where there is no smog check at all?You will need to pass smog anywhere in the south bay.
Yes, mainly in the "rural' areas.
Interesting, I did not know that. Here in VA almost the entire state is emissions testing free except for the northern 4 counties close to DC where they have it, though I believe it is pretty relaxedYes, mainly in the "rural' areas.
Most places outside of major metro areas only require smog inspections during transfer of ownership. I would imagine if you're in the SoCal region, areas more eastbound are only going to require you smog it one time.I think this is probably what I’ll end up doing. I don’t plan on staying there long term, just a few years hopefully.
This is what I thought. Are there parts of California where there is no smog check at all?
If you're going to be in the LA/OC/SD area you more than likely fall under the catagory of enhanced inspections which would be a full scan of your OBD system, making sure all your monitors are set and your CEL is clear. I have no idea if that's changed since I moved out of CA a year ago.
Scott is the person I'd be asking about smog testing since he's more familiar with the G1 and lives in SoCal.
I wouldn't bother with the registration process if you are keeping your Virginia license. Don't give the cops a reason to pull you over. I would also keep a suitcase in your car at all times. If pulled over just claim you are just visiting. Good luck.Most places outside of major metro areas only require smog inspections during transfer of ownership. I would imagine if you're in the SoCal region, areas more eastbound are only going to require you smog it one time.
If you're going to be in the LA/OC/SD area you more than likely fall under the catagory of enhanced inspections which would be a full scan of your OBD system, making sure all your monitors are set and your CEL is clear. I have no idea if that's changed since I moved out of CA a year ago.
Scott is the person I'd be asking about smog testing since he's more familiar with the G1 and lives in SoCal.
Californian here.
If you are keeping a license from outside the state, and still have an address there you can register your vehicles under, the path of least resistance may be to keep the vehicle registered there.
California will require smog checks on all vehicles when you register them in the state for the first time, and all vehicles over a certain age every 2 years. This is state law, although enforcement is very lax in the rural areas, so if you need to find a guy to give you a dirty smog stamp, you want to be away from the major metro areas like LA and SF. But again, it varies from place to place and shop to shop.
your other best option might just be to fix the code.
If you are keeping a license from outside the state, and still have an address there you can register your vehicles under, the path of least resistance may be to keep the vehicle registered there.
California will require smog checks on all vehicles when you register them in the state for the first time, and all vehicles over a certain age every 2 years. This is state law, although enforcement is very lax in the rural areas, so if you need to find a guy to give you a dirty smog stamp, you want to be away from the major metro areas like LA and SF. But again, it varies from place to place and shop to shop.
your other best option might just be to fix the code.
Sounds like I’ll be keeping my Virginia stuff for the time being. I think it will be fine.Californian here.
If you are keeping a license from outside the state, and still have an address there you can register your vehicles under, the path of least resistance may be to keep the vehicle registered there.
California will require smog checks on all vehicles when you register them in the state for the first time, and all vehicles over a certain age every 2 years. This is state law, although enforcement is very lax in the rural areas, so if you need to find a guy to give you a dirty smog stamp, you want to be away from the major metro areas like LA and SF. But again, it varies from place to place and shop to shop.
your other best option might just be to fix the code.
The only thing that may happen is if you plan to be there for a year and work, CA Franchise Tax Board considers you a resident beyond 183 days. If you work remotely and your job is based outside of CA it may not be such a problem, but CA is notorious for finding ways to get tax out of you. I'm still dealing with their nonsense after a year of not even living there.Sounds like I’ll be keeping my Virginia stuff for the time being. I think it will be fine.
Yeas they sure are. I’m hoping that doesn’t become an issue.The only thing that may happen is if you plan to be there for a year and work, CA Franchise Tax Board considers you a resident beyond 183 days. If you work remotely and your job is based outside of CA it may not be such a problem, but CA is notorious for finding ways to get tax out of you. I'm still dealing with their nonsense after a year of not even living there.
Omg. Everyone you are making this way more complicated than it needs to be. If you owned a supercar or some heavily modified, obnoxious muscle car you might get harassed by local police, but on a little hybrid nobody will even bat an eye.
My kid moved from VA to CA 3 years ago and is still running VA plates on his P.O.S. Corolla - without having a VA address, I might add. Nobody noplace seems to care.
Now that’s exactly what I wanted to hear! 😄My kid moved from VA to CA 3 years ago and is still running VA plates on his P.O.S. Corolla - without having a VA address, I might add. Nobody noplace seems to care.
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