JDM Car Dealerships in California

California is the enthusiast capital of the JDM world in the United States, home to a thriving network of dealers importing right-hand-drive sports cars, kei trucks, and classic Japanese vehicles. Whether you're searching in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, or San Diego, you can find dealers offering R32 and R33 Skylines, AE86s, kei mini trucks, and JDM engine swaps. Click any dealer below to view their inventory, contact info, and location.

9 dealers in California

California JDM registration FAQ

Vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from federal NHTSA and EPA import standards, so a 25+ year JDM car can be legally imported and titled in California. The catch: the federal exemption does not override CARB. California requires CARB compliance for gasoline vehicles from the 1976 model year forward, which means many imports must pass a SMOG check and cannot have engine swaps or aftermarket modifications that would fail it. Vehicles built before 1976 are exempt from SMOG.
Bring your federal import paperwork (CBP Form 7501, EPA Form 3520-1, DOT Form HS-7), the Japanese export certificate with a notarized translation, your bill of sale, and proof of insurance to a California DMV office. Appointments are strongly recommended. Most imports require a verification of vehicle (VIN inspection) by DMV staff or a CHP officer, and a SMOG certificate if the vehicle is 1976 or newer. Title fees, use tax, and registration are calculated at the office.
California does not have a kei-specific ban as of 2026, and kei trucks are generally titled and registered as standard motor vehicles when they meet the 25-year federal rule and pass any required CARB and SMOG checks. Some owners register older kei trucks as off-highway or limited-use vehicles to simplify the emissions process. Because the regulatory landscape around kei vehicles changes year to year, confirm the current status with your local DMV office before purchasing.
Most California dealers ship nationwide and are familiar with out-of-state titling paperwork, including providing the bill of sale and federal import documents your home state's DMV will require. Ask each dealer about transport options and whether they handle the title transfer or leave it to you.

About JDM in California

California's JDM scene is the densest in the country. Los Angeles and the Bay Area host long-running RHD specialists, Skyline and Supra hubs, and a steady flow of fresh 25-year imports clearing customs in the ports of Long Beach and Oakland. The trade-off is CARB: California's emissions rules are the strictest in the nation, and they shape which cars are realistic to register here versus which are easier to keep in a lower-friction state.

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