Are military memebers stationed in California exempt from state emission rules when registering a car?

If you register it in California you have to have a smog inspection certificate. However as a non resident of California and being in the military you can keep it registered in your home state.

Here's the DMV page that outlines the rules.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/mi...

If you plan to get CA plates on your car then yes, you must comply with state emissions rules. Now, different bases/branches may have different rules concerning emissions checks (though, I've never know this to be the case). I check the NAVSTA San Diego pass and decal website, and it does not say anything about e-checks. So as long as you comply with the state laws where your car is registered you should be okay.

No, not from the emissions....but you do get the vehicle license fee (VLF) waived.....which can be upwards of 500 bucks a year otherwise. Instead it's more like 40-50 bucks for your tabs.

Just fill out a military non-resident form at the DMV and you're good to go.

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/militarydrivers.html