Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Importing non compliant vehicles into California
Emarsh/Ehalterman:
You are both correct, California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards require that even a "50-state" diesel vehicle be "approved" for CA. This is offered as an option, at no extra charge (for 50-state vehicles. ) Any out-of-state dealer should be happy to request this option. I had heard that Chrysler for a while was prohibiting dealers in states adjoining CA (NV, AZ) from ordering this option, in an effort to protect CA dealers. I do not know if this is true or if it was, still in effect. (If it was/is, it may be in violation of Interstate Commerce trade provisions).
Consider a "hypotheticall" argument: You live in California. Suppose you drive your personal "beater" car out-of-state and it breaks down. You obtain repair estimates from local out-of-state repair shops and the cost to repair is greater than the "blue book" value of your car (CA law requires costs to be "unreasonable") - or vehicle is stolen. California law has a special exception, upon breakdown (or vehicle stolen) out-of-state, to allow purchase of a "EPA compliant, but not necessarily CA compliant" vehicle for "personal use" only and then bring this vehicle into California and be allowed to register it. The vehicle is assumed to be otherwise 49 (or 48) state compliant.
There is a special California Health and Safety Code form that you would need to fill out in such a case, it is kept under lock and key, and is not readily accessible at most DMV offices. But this form will then allow (and requires DMV to accept) registration of "49 state" vehicles into California under such circumstances.
Emarsh/Ehalterman:
You are both correct, California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards require that even a "50-state" diesel vehicle be "approved" for CA. This is offered as an option, at no extra charge (for 50-state vehicles. ) Any out-of-state dealer should be happy to request this option. I had heard that Chrysler for a while was prohibiting dealers in states adjoining CA (NV, AZ) from ordering this option, in an effort to protect CA dealers. I do not know if this is true or if it was, still in effect. (If it was/is, it may be in violation of Interstate Commerce trade provisions).
Consider a "hypotheticall" argument: You live in California. Suppose you drive your personal "beater" car out-of-state and it breaks down. You obtain repair estimates from local out-of-state repair shops and the cost to repair is greater than the "blue book" value of your car (CA law requires costs to be "unreasonable") - or vehicle is stolen. California law has a special exception, upon breakdown (or vehicle stolen) out-of-state, to allow purchase of a "EPA compliant, but not necessarily CA compliant" vehicle for "personal use" only and then bring this vehicle into California and be allowed to register it. The vehicle is assumed to be otherwise 49 (or 48) state compliant.
There is a special California Health and Safety Code form that you would need to fill out in such a case, it is kept under lock and key, and is not readily accessible at most DMV offices. But this form will then allow (and requires DMV to accept) registration of "49 state" vehicles into California under such circumstances.
