can i register my 02 tundra 4W in california?

wanting to move to California from Texas, I know this is unpopular, but I have my reasons. I want to register my 2002 Toyota Tundra SR5. Underneath the hood, it says I can't sell it in California but I just want it to be my main vehicle while I live there. Everything in engine and exhaust is stock. Is it possible to register? Have people registered vehicles with this 'do not sale in California'? I've asked around but havent gotten a straight answer.

 

It wasn't legal to sell the vehicle new in CA because it didn't meet the emissions standards, but plenty of people move to CA and bring their out of state vehicles with them. CA is a beautiful state, hope you enjoy it.

 

What he said. Welcome to the forums and to the state from SoCal. Texas truck in California isn't necessarily a bad thing; if your catalytic converters go out, you can use cheaper ones unlike us guys with OG California trucks.

 

Totally legal. I "imported" a car from Florida to California that had the same stipulation. Researched it at length: No problem bringing it into the state and registering it as a personal vehicle.

 

I'm in CA, when I was looking for an out of the state vehicle I researched the DMV website. As I remember there is an accommodation for people moving here with out of state vehicles. Check the DMV website, also depending on the county in CA after you move to some counties you smog it ounce and don't have to Smog It Ever again until you go to sell it.

 

There's a minimum mileage that vehicles have to have to be brought into CA, and it's pretty low. It's only there to stop people from buying vehicles out of state to avoid taxes or emissions and then trying to register them in CA. I've brought plenty of vehicles back and forth between OR and CA, as long as it's got more than 7500 miles, all they care about is smog and you paying reg.

 

I wonder why, i thought all tundras came with 50 state legal OEM exhausts

 

I'm pretty sure the 7500 mile requirement is more to keep people from avoiding paying sales tax than about emissions.

 

was once a CA smog mechanic and we always had to pay attention to out of state vehicles with less then 7500 miles for newer year models

 

Former Californian here. Don’t worry about others judging you for living there. There are lots of great things about the state. And of course there are downsides too, just like there are in other places. I would move back for the right career / salary mix vs other tradeoffs. Best wishes to you as you make your way there.