yeah trust me, i was gonna find a cheap round trip to illinois to buy and sign and ship.. but they wouldnt sell to me unless i was buying a diesel vehicle
a quick glance at the CA DMV website seems to imply that it needs to be registered out of state first, and then xferd
http://www.dmv.com/ca/california/emissions-testing
That sounds correct. When I buy vehicles in Arizona they come with a temporary Arizona Registration. Then I have to get the vehicle a smog check in California. Then go to the DMV and pay my fees. A month later I get plates in the mail.