There is no safety inspection requirement in CA. Smog inspection is required on 76 up vehicles. If you have current registration in another state you should have no problem. If you have a paperwork jumble or bill of sale it will probably require a VIN check by the CHP or other Police agency. If this is the case you can expect 2 trips. Beleive it or not they are getting better.
I breezed right through last summer to register a 47 Willys I bought. It had a non-op and a good title.
Sometimes it depends on which office you pick.
Fred
