California emissions

danmiller3 · 03-15-2004, 01:55 PM

Possibly a stupid question, but if I buy a Prius outside of California, it still is California emissions certified, correct? California has more stringent rules that state the car must specifically be certified for California.

Thanks,
--Dan

Bob Allen · 03-15-2004, 02:12 PM

My understanding is that the Prius qualifies for use in California no matter where you purchased it. Part of the incentive for Toyota to produce it was the strict emissions requirements in California, and, as far as I know, there is only one version of Prius (options notwithstanding) sold in the entire US.
If you are moving to CA with a car purchased out of state, you have to have it checked by CA DMV people when you register it. This might not apply to a new car, however.
Bob

cybele · 03-15-2004, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by danmiller3
Possibly a stupid question, but if I buy a Prius outside of California, it still is California emissions certified, correct? California has more stringent rules that state the car must specifically be certified for California.

If you buy the car outside of CA, even if it's brand spankin' new, you still have to have it smog certified.

You have to take it to a "referee" station because the car can't be checked by the regular tailpipe test because the car doesn't idle. You have to make an appointment and the referee stations are not necessarily in convenient locations (they seem to be associated with schools for some reason, the closest I found new me was at UC Irvine). You can't get your CA registration until you complete this test and bring it with you to the DMV (or AAA).

xlarimer · 03-15-2004, 02:25 PM

I've done/am still doing this. The referee station here was Alameda's College. It cost a total of $8.25 and all they did was take the mileage, look at it, take the vin and send me on my way. (Once I found the place.)

BTW, I made an appointment as soon as I had a VIN. It did take a week or two to get it. Also, if you buy outside of California you have to have the dealer send your paperwork to your local DMV office.

Realize that there is a catch 22 scenario in that you have to register the car within 20 days of entering the state. You can't register the car until you get it smogged. You can't get it smogged until you have a referee look at it. Etc, etc. Bascially I drove around unregistered until I got smogged. That same day I paid my taxes (California state sales tax about $2,000) and am awaiting for my next appointment set up on March 25th before I can actually register the car. So, I'm without any plates, but I have all my paperwork in my car whenever I drive.

danmiller3 · 03-15-2004, 03:14 PM

Appreciate all the replies on this! Great info and I can't wait to get the car!

--Dan

rcanate6 · 04-24-2004, 11:13 AM

How do you find a referree station in Cali?

Rebecca

Frank Hudon · 04-24-2004, 11:28 AM

Even the Prius sold in Canada are California Emission certified.

cybele · 04-24-2004, 12:35 PM

Quote:

How do you find a referree station in Cali?

They have info on California's state website - http://www.ofa.dgs.ca.gov/Alternative+Fuel...SmogInspect.htm

Referee Scheduling Center at 1-800-622-7733

danmiller3 · 04-24-2004, 07:52 PM

Hi there -
I called this number to find and setup an appointment with at a referee station:

1-800-622-7733

It was quick and painless when I got it done.

--Dan

rcanate6 · 04-24-2004, 10:09 PM

Thanks a lot for the info. Its confusing buying my first car, buying it from another state and trying to figure out where to register it (California or Utah) as I move for graduate school to Utah. Does anyone know how you determine if you are a resident of state? I wasnt a resident in NJ for undergrad, but does it change for older students? Thanks for all the help.

Rebecca

03-15-2004, 01:55 PM	#1
danmiller3 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Larkspur, CA Posts: 36 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	California emissions Possibly a stupid question, but if I buy a Prius outside of California, it still is California emissions certified, correct? California has more stringent rules that state the car must specifically be certified for California. Thanks, --Dan

03-15-2004, 02:25 PM	#4
xlarimer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: berkeley, california Posts: 135 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've done/am still doing this. The referee station here was Alameda's College. It cost a total of $8.25 and all they did was take the mileage, look at it, take the vin and send me on my way. (Once I found the place.) BTW, I made an appointment as soon as I had a VIN. It did take a week or two to get it. Also, if you buy outside of California you have to have the dealer send your paperwork to your local DMV office. Realize that there is a catch 22 scenario in that you have to register the car within 20 days of entering the state. You can't register the car until you get it smogged. You can't get it smogged until you have a referee look at it. Etc, etc. Bascially I drove around unregistered until I got smogged. That same day I paid my taxes (California state sales tax about $2,000) and am awaiting for my next appointment set up on March 25th before I can actually register the car. So, I'm without any plates, but I have all my paperwork in my car whenever I drive. __________________ Xo Larimer 06 White 07

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03-15-2004, 02:12 PM	#2
Bob Allen Captainbaba Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,254 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My understanding is that the Prius qualifies for use in California no matter where you purchased it. Part of the incentive for Toyota to produce it was the strict emissions requirements in California, and, as far as I know, there is only one version of Prius (options notwithstanding) sold in the entire US. If you are moving to CA with a car purchased out of state, you have to have it checked by CA DMV people when you register it. This might not apply to a new car, however. Bob

03-15-2004, 03:14 PM	#5
danmiller3 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Larkspur, CA Posts: 36 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Appreciate all the replies on this! Great info and I can't wait to get the car! --Dan

04-24-2004, 11:13 AM	#6
rcanate6 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 15 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	How do you find a referree station in Cali? Rebecca

04-24-2004, 11:28 AM	#7
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Even the Prius sold in Canada are California Emission certified.

04-24-2004, 07:52 PM	#9
danmiller3 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Larkspur, CA Posts: 36 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi there - I called this number to find and setup an appointment with at a referee station: 1-800-622-7733 It was quick and painless when I got it done. --Dan

04-24-2004, 10:09 PM	#10
rcanate6 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 15 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks a lot for the info. Its confusing buying my first car, buying it from another state and trying to figure out where to register it (California or Utah) as I move for graduate school to Utah. Does anyone know how you determine if you are a resident of state? I wasnt a resident in NJ for undergrad, but does it change for older students? Thanks for all the help. Rebecca