I always thought that I could drive a vehicle that didn't meet California emission standards into California if it was legally registered elsewhere outside of California. The vehicle wouldn't meet the equipment requirements (i.e. catalytic converter, anti-smog devices, etc.), but I'd still be able to drive it.
Does anyone have any references that they could cite - I'm getting conflicting answers to the initial question.
I know that here in Pennsylvania some counties require vehicle emissions testing (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and surrounding counties), however, much of the state doesn't. A car registered in a county not requiring emissions testing can lawfully drive that car into an emissions-required county without ever having to have the car emissions tested. (but can you lawfully drive it back out)
Ken
Well look at it this way. If you drove a car that was billowing jet black smoke past an officer of the law, do you honestly think he would give you a friendly warning or just let you continue to drive on past just because you came from out of state? I doubt officers would target every out of state driver (but I am sure some do), but if your ride sticks out like a sore thumb and an officer wants to fill his quota - tag you're it. I know I am just pointing out the obvious, but if you question your actions - so will an officer, and if you've ever talked to one you know they pay attention to EVERYTHING.
If the question is whether or not you can live in a county that forbids or makes it hard on motorized bikes, register it and get it approved in another state that is easier, then come back home and ride it where it's not approved, I would have to say no. In-laws were up in the northern states when they were working up there for a few months, well they got pulled over for not having their car checked out and were given a ticket requiring them to get it looked at (yeah he was needing his quota). Apparently if you've lived there for some stint of time, they do not look the other way anymore.
If you are just driving through town or just passing through, do you really want to have to come back to prevent getting a warrant for your arrest if you do not show up to argue it in court (and will the judge care)? If you actually live there, you're going to get a spot on your record - especially if you resist the officer by arguing with him that your ride is a bicycle not a motor vehicle and he knows otherwise, as you might just end up owing several thousand dollars. Now if it's registered as a motor vehicle in another state, and he sees it as a bicycle with an engine that is over his states legal limit, you just got busted for that. If he caught you doing 40 when the limit is 20 for bicycles with a motor, you got busted for that. Know your laws for the states you ride into, as it could save you a lot of grief later. If your aim is to ride across country, aim for the states that are friendly to your ride. If the state is not, rent a Uhaul and drop it off in the next state. If you want to change things, get political, organize rides, and petition for change; otherwise, we're all going to be reading our own laws and trying to comply with them, and educate others when they want to ride through our state.
"Dr. I broke my arm in three places." Dr. says, "stay out of those places."