I built my MK4 in CA and later moved to and registered the car in AZ. I sold the car in 2018 to a CA buyer. He had no issue with the original SB100 and his registration was not an issue. He actually started the process in Needles CA on his drive back home North of Sacramento. Times change and so does the rules, but like others have mentioned, try another DMV office to see if those representatives are more knowledgeable.