California Code, Health and Safety Code - HSC § 43151

(a) A person shall not offer for sale, introduce into commerce, import, deliver, purchase, rent, lease, acquire, or receive a new motor vehicle, new motor vehicle engine, or motor vehicle with a new motor vehicle engine for use, registration, or resale in this state unless the motor vehicle engine or motor vehicle has been certified pursuant to this chapter.A person shall not attempt or assist in any such action.

(b) This article shall not apply to a vehicle acquired by a resident of this state for the purpose of replacing a vehicle registered to that resident that was damaged or became inoperative beyond reasonable repair or was stolen while out of this state provided that the replacement vehicle is acquired out of state at the time the previously owned vehicle was either damaged or became inoperative or was stolen. This article shall not apply to a vehicle transferred by inheritance or by a decree of divorce, dissolution, or legal separation entered by a court of competent jurisdiction, or to any vehicle sold after the effective date of the amendments to this subdivision at the 1979-80 Regular Session of the Legislature if the vehicle was registered in this state before that effective date.

(c) This chapter shall not apply to any motor vehicle having a certificate of conformity issued pursuant to the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 7401 et seq.) and originally registered in another state by a resident of that state who subsequently establishes residence in this state and who, upon registration of the vehicle in this state, provides satisfactory evidence to the Department of Motor Vehicles of the previous residence and registration. This subdivision shall become operative 180 calendar days after the state board adopts regulations for the certification of new direct import vehicles pursuant to Section 43203.5.