California Health and Safety Code

44011.   (a) All motor vehicles powered by internal combustion engines that
are registered within an area designated for program coverage shall be
required biennially to obtain a certificate of compliance or noncompliance,
except for all of the following:
(1) X

(2) X

(3) (A) Prior to January 1, 2003, any motor vehicle manufactured prior to
the 1974 model-year.

(B) Beginning January 1, 2003, any motor vehicle that is 30 or more
model-years old.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/appndxa/hlthsaf/hs44011.htm

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Schwaia" <jeff@TSSGI.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: Calif: Buying out of state

> FYI: Smog exemption in California is for '73 and older vehicles, NOT 30
> years and older.
>
> Last year, it was '73 and older, next year it will still be '73 and older.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Jeff
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Michael Snow
> Sent: Monday, August 11, 2003 2:55 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Calif: Buying out of state
>
>
> The California testing exemption is for vehicles 30 years or older.
> Vehicles are required to meet the emissions standards in effect at the
> time of manufacture.  A 49 state (federal) vehicle is not required to
> meet California standards.  A 1986 vehicle is not required to meet 2003
> standards.
>
> Mike Snow
>
>
> Jason Milam wrote:
> > I think the screws have been tightened a bit. It's at least safe to say
> > that
> > California 2003 emission stadards are a lot more stringent than Montana
> > 1980
> > standards.
> >
> > It is my understanding that in California smog testing is not required
for
> > vehicles over a certain age (I think 25 years).
>