Chapter 6. Used Direct Import Vehicles of California Health And Safety Code >> Division 26. >> Part 5. >> Chapter 6.

For purposes of this chapter, "used direct import vehicle" means any 1975 or later model-year direct import vehicle not required to be certified as a new direct import vehicle pursuant to this part. For purposes of this section, the age of a motor vehicle shall be determined by the following, in descending order of preference:
  (a) From the first calendar day of the model year as indicated in the vehicle identification number.
  (b) From the last calendar day of the month the vehicle was delivered by the manufacturer as shown on the foreign title document.
  (c) From January 1 of the same calendar year as the model year shown on the foreign title document.
  (d) From the last calendar day of the month the foreign title document was issued.

The state board shall adopt, by regulation, a certification program for used direct import vehicles. The state board shall issue a certificate of conformance to each used direct import vehicle which meets the requirements of this program.

A used direct import vehicle which was not registered in this state prior to the adoption of regulations adopted pursuant to Section 44201, may not be registered in this state unless it has received a certificate of conformance from the state board, except as provided in Section 44210.

The certification program established pursuant to Section 44201 shall require all of the following components:
  (a) A test of the vehicle's emissions performed at a laboratory licensed by the state board.
  (b) A determination that the emissions of the vehicle meet applicable emission standards adopted by the state board.
  (c) Any vehicle labelling and description of any emissions-related modifications to the vehicle that the state board finds appropriate to assure that the emission-related system of the vehicle can be inspected, serviced, and repaired successfully throughout the state.
  (d) Any other requirements the board may determine appropriate to assure the used direct import vehicle will continue to comply with emission standards in use, except that no requirement may be established to warrant the emissions control system or to recall vehicles which exhibit a defective emission control system subsequent to receiving a valid certificate of conformance.

The state board may perform a confirmatory test of the vehicle's emissions prior to issuance of a certificate of conformity.

The state board shall adopt regulations prescribing the requirements for any laboratory seeking approval as a state-licensed laboratory for purposes of this chapter. The requirements shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
  (a) An agreement to random inspections of the facility and any vehicles on the premises by the state board or its designee.
  (b) Recordkeeping for testing and quality control.
  (c) An agreement to perform correlation testing at the request of the state board.
  (d) An agreement to hold vehicles at the laboratory for up to 10 calendar days for the purpose of inspection and confirmatory testing upon request of the state board.

A laboratory's license may be suspended or revoked by the state board, after a hearing, for failure to meet the requirements of licensing established in Section 44205 or for other cause specified by the state board in regulation. The state board shall adopt regulations governing the suspension, revocation, and reinstatement of the licenses.

The state board may, by regulation, impose fees for the licensing of laboratories and for the issuance of certificates of conformity to recover the state board's costs, including enforcement costs, of administration of any program the state board may establish pursuant to this chapter.

Any person who falsifies any test record or report which has been submitted to any other person, the department, or the state board pursuant to this chapter is subject to punishment by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), imprisonment in a county jail for not more than one year, imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

The requirements of Section 44202 do not apply to any motor vehicle having a certificate of conformity issued by the federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7401, et seq. ) and originally registered in another state by a person who was a resident of that state for at least one year prior to the original registration, who subsequently establishes residence in this state and who, upon registration of the vehicle in California, provides evidence satisfactory to the Department of Motor Vehicles of that previous residence and registration.