diff --git a/opendbc_repo b/opendbc_repo
index 79c69ec9f2f86bf..d7862bc2f650c2c 160000
--- a/opendbc_repo
+++ b/opendbc_repo
@@ -1 +1 @@
-Subproject commit 79c69ec9f2f86bf3a0b5f2245f6682bfd4a152c8
+Subproject commit d7862bc2f650c2cb7e8cdd001bad81af0ef551a0
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/car_specific.py b/selfdrive/car/car_specific.py
index 3984b66c63df46c..2305e1104be6060 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/car_specific.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/car_specific.py
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 from cereal import car
 import cereal.messaging as messaging
-from opendbc.car import DT_CTRL, structs
+from opendbc.car import DT_CTRL
 from opendbc.car.interfaces import MAX_CTRL_SPEED, CarStateBase, CarControllerBase
 from opendbc.car.volkswagen.values import CarControllerParams as VWCarControllerParams
 from opendbc.car.hyundai.interface import ENABLE_BUTTONS as HYUNDAI_ENABLE_BUTTONS
 
 from openpilot.selfdrive.selfdrived.events import Events
 
-ButtonType = structs.CarState.ButtonEvent.Type
-GearShifter = structs.CarState.GearShifter
+ButtonType = car.CarState.ButtonEvent.Type
+GearShifter = car.CarState.GearShifter
 EventName = car.OnroadEvent.EventName
-NetworkLocation = structs.CarParams.NetworkLocation
+NetworkLocation = car.CarParams.NetworkLocation
 
 
 # TODO: the goal is to abstract this file into the CarState struct and make events generic
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def update(self, CS: car.CarState):
 
 
 class CarSpecificEvents:
-  def __init__(self, CP: structs.CarParams):
+  def __init__(self, CP: car.CarParams):
     self.CP = CP
 
     self.steering_unpressed = 0
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ def update(self, CS: CarStateBase, CS_prev: car.CarState, CC: CarControllerBase,
 
     return events
 
-  def create_common_events(self, CS: structs.CarState, CS_prev: car.CarState, extra_gears=None, pcm_enable=True,
+  def create_common_events(self, CS: car.CarState, CS_prev: car.CarState, extra_gears=None, pcm_enable=True,
                            allow_enable=True, enable_buttons=(ButtonType.accelCruise, ButtonType.decelCruise)):
     events = Events()
 
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/card.py b/selfdrive/car/card.py
index 62569f64f5318dd..dc9f3c6d7119871 100755
--- a/selfdrive/car/card.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/card.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 from openpilot.common.realtime import config_realtime_process, Priority, Ratekeeper
 from openpilot.common.swaglog import cloudlog, ForwardingHandler
 
-from opendbc.car import DT_CTRL, carlog, structs
+from opendbc.car import DT_CTRL, carlog
 from opendbc.car.can_definitions import CanData, CanRecvCallable, CanSendCallable
 from opendbc.car.fw_versions import ObdCallback
 from opendbc.car.car_helpers import get_car, get_radar_interface
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 from openpilot.selfdrive.pandad import can_capnp_to_list, can_list_to_can_capnp
 from openpilot.selfdrive.car.cruise import VCruiseHelper
 from openpilot.selfdrive.car.car_specific import CarSpecificEvents, MockCarState
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.helpers import convert_carControl, convert_to_capnp
 from openpilot.selfdrive.selfdrived.events import Events, ET
 
 REPLAY = "REPLAY" in os.environ
@@ -64,7 +63,7 @@ def can_send(msgs: list[CanData]) -> None:
 class Car:
   CI: CarInterfaceBase
   RI: RadarInterfaceBase
-  CP: structs.CarParams
+  CP: car.CarParams
   CP_capnp: car.CarParams
 
   def __init__(self, CI=None, RI=None) -> None:
@@ -78,7 +77,7 @@ def __init__(self, CI=None, RI=None) -> None:
     self.CS_prev = car.CarState.new_message()
     self.initialized_prev = False
 
-    self.last_actuators_output = structs.CarControl.Actuators()
+    self.last_actuators_output = car.CarControl.Actuators.new_message()
 
     self.params = Params()
 
@@ -99,7 +98,7 @@ def __init__(self, CI=None, RI=None) -> None:
       cached_params_raw = self.params.get("CarParamsCache")
       if cached_params_raw is not None:
         with car.CarParams.from_bytes(cached_params_raw) as _cached_params:
-          cached_params = structs.CarParams(carName=_cached_params.carName, carFw=_cached_params.carFw, carVin=_cached_params.carVin)
+          cached_params = car.CarParams(carName=_cached_params.carName, carFw=_cached_params.carFw, carVin=_cached_params.carVin)
 
       self.CI = get_car(*self.can_callbacks, obd_callback(self.params), experimental_long_allowed, num_pandas, cached_params)
       self.RI = get_radar_interface(self.CI.CP)
@@ -123,8 +122,8 @@ def __init__(self, CI=None, RI=None) -> None:
 
     self.CP.passive = not controller_available or self.CP.dashcamOnly
     if self.CP.passive:
-      safety_config = structs.CarParams.SafetyConfig()
-      safety_config.safetyModel = structs.CarParams.SafetyModel.noOutput
+      safety_config = car.CarParams.SafetyConfig.new_message()
+      safety_config.safetyModel = car.CarParams.SafetyModel.noOutput
       self.CP.safetyConfigs = [safety_config]
 
     # Write previous route's CarParams
@@ -134,7 +133,7 @@ def __init__(self, CI=None, RI=None) -> None:
 
     # Write CarParams for controls and radard
     # convert to pycapnp representation for caching and logging
-    self.CP_capnp = convert_to_capnp(self.CP)
+    self.CP_capnp = self.CP
     cp_bytes = self.CP_capnp.to_bytes()
     self.params.put("CarParams", cp_bytes)
     self.params.put_nonblocking("CarParamsCache", cp_bytes)
@@ -152,19 +151,19 @@ def __init__(self, CI=None, RI=None) -> None:
     # card is driven by can recv, expected at 100Hz
     self.rk = Ratekeeper(100, print_delay_threshold=None)
 
-  def state_update(self) -> tuple[car.CarState, structs.RadarData | None]:
+  def state_update(self) -> tuple[car.CarState, car.RadarData]:
     """carState update loop, driven by can"""
 
     can_strs = messaging.drain_sock_raw(self.can_sock, wait_for_one=True)
     can_list = can_capnp_to_list(can_strs)
 
     # Update carState from CAN
-    CS = convert_to_capnp(self.CI.update(can_list))
+    CS = self.CI.update(can_list)
     if self.CP.carName == 'mock':
       CS = self.mock_carstate.update(CS)
 
     # Update radar tracks from CAN
-    RD: structs.RadarData | None = self.RI.update(can_list)
+    RD: car.RadarData = self.RI.update(can_list)
 
     self.sm.update(0)
 
@@ -184,7 +183,7 @@ def state_update(self) -> tuple[car.CarState, structs.RadarData | None]:
 
     return CS, RD
 
-  def update_events(self, CS: car.CarState, RD: structs.RadarData | None):
+  def update_events(self, CS: car.CarState, RD: car.RadarData):
     self.events.clear()
 
     CS.events = self.car_events.update(self.CI.CS, self.CS_prev, self.CI.CC, self.CC_prev).to_msg()
@@ -208,7 +207,7 @@ def update_events(self, CS: car.CarState, RD: structs.RadarData | None):
 
     CS.events = self.events.to_msg()
 
-  def state_publish(self, CS: car.CarState, RD: structs.RadarData | None):
+  def state_publish(self, CS: car.CarState, RD: car.RadarData):
     """carState and carParams publish loop"""
 
     # carParams - logged every 50 seconds (> 1 per segment)
@@ -221,7 +220,7 @@ def state_publish(self, CS: car.CarState, RD: structs.RadarData | None):
     # publish new carOutput
     co_send = messaging.new_message('carOutput')
     co_send.valid = self.sm.all_checks(['carControl'])
-    co_send.carOutput.actuatorsOutput = convert_to_capnp(self.last_actuators_output)
+    co_send.carOutput.actuatorsOutput = self.last_actuators_output
     self.pm.send('carOutput', co_send)
 
     # kick off controlsd step while we actuate the latest carControl packet
@@ -235,7 +234,7 @@ def state_publish(self, CS: car.CarState, RD: structs.RadarData | None):
     if RD is not None:
       tracks_msg = messaging.new_message('liveTracks')
       tracks_msg.valid = len(RD.errors) == 0
-      tracks_msg.liveTracks = convert_to_capnp(RD)
+      tracks_msg.liveTracks = RD
       self.pm.send('liveTracks', tracks_msg)
 
   def controls_update(self, CS: car.CarState, CC: car.CarControl):
@@ -251,7 +250,7 @@ def controls_update(self, CS: car.CarState, CC: car.CarControl):
     if self.sm.all_alive(['carControl']):
       # send car controls over can
       now_nanos = self.can_log_mono_time if REPLAY else int(time.monotonic() * 1e9)
-      self.last_actuators_output, can_sends = self.CI.apply(convert_carControl(CC), now_nanos)
+      self.last_actuators_output, can_sends = self.CI.apply(CC, now_nanos)
       self.pm.send('sendcan', can_list_to_can_capnp(can_sends, msgtype='sendcan', valid=CS.canValid))
 
       self.CC_prev = CC
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/helpers.py b/selfdrive/car/helpers.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 75e1c66d24254a4..000000000000000
--- a/selfdrive/car/helpers.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,74 +0,0 @@
-import capnp
-from typing import Any
-
-from cereal import car
-from opendbc.car import structs
-
-_FIELDS = '__dataclass_fields__'  # copy of dataclasses._FIELDS
-
-
-def is_dataclass(obj):
-  """Similar to dataclasses.is_dataclass without instance type check checking"""
-  return hasattr(obj, _FIELDS)
-
-
-def _asdictref_inner(obj) -> dict[str, Any] | Any:
-  if is_dataclass(obj):
-    ret = {}
-    for field in getattr(obj, _FIELDS):  # similar to dataclasses.fields()
-      ret[field] = _asdictref_inner(getattr(obj, field))
-    return ret
-  elif isinstance(obj, (tuple, list)):
-    return type(obj)(_asdictref_inner(v) for v in obj)
-  else:
-    return obj
-
-
-def asdictref(obj) -> dict[str, Any]:
-  """
-  Similar to dataclasses.asdict without recursive type checking and copy.deepcopy
-  Note that the resulting dict will contain references to the original struct as a result
-  """
-  if not is_dataclass(obj):
-    raise TypeError("asdictref() should be called on dataclass instances")
-
-  return _asdictref_inner(obj)
-
-
-def convert_to_capnp(struct: structs.CarParams | structs.CarState | structs.CarControl.Actuators | structs.RadarData) -> capnp.lib.capnp._DynamicStructBuilder:
-  struct_dict = asdictref(struct)
-
-  if isinstance(struct, structs.CarParams):
-    del struct_dict['lateralTuning']
-    struct_capnp = car.CarParams.new_message(**struct_dict)
-
-    # this is the only union, special handling
-    which = struct.lateralTuning.which()
-    struct_capnp.lateralTuning.init(which)
-    lateralTuning_dict = asdictref(getattr(struct.lateralTuning, which))
-    setattr(struct_capnp.lateralTuning, which, lateralTuning_dict)
-  elif isinstance(struct, structs.CarState):
-    struct_capnp = car.CarState.new_message(**struct_dict)
-  elif isinstance(struct, structs.CarControl.Actuators):
-    struct_capnp = car.CarControl.Actuators.new_message(**struct_dict)
-  elif isinstance(struct, structs.RadarData):
-    struct_capnp = car.RadarData.new_message(**struct_dict)
-  else:
-    raise ValueError(f"Unsupported struct type: {type(struct)}")
-
-  return struct_capnp
-
-
-def convert_carControl(struct: capnp.lib.capnp._DynamicStructReader) -> structs.CarControl:
-  # TODO: recursively handle any car struct as needed
-  def remove_deprecated(s: dict) -> dict:
-    return {k: v for k, v in s.items() if not k.endswith('DEPRECATED')}
-
-  struct_dict = struct.to_dict()
-  struct_dataclass = structs.CarControl(**remove_deprecated({k: v for k, v in struct_dict.items() if not isinstance(k, dict)}))
-
-  struct_dataclass.actuators = structs.CarControl.Actuators(**remove_deprecated(struct_dict.get('actuators', {})))
-  struct_dataclass.cruiseControl = structs.CarControl.CruiseControl(**remove_deprecated(struct_dict.get('cruiseControl', {})))
-  struct_dataclass.hudControl = structs.CarControl.HUDControl(**remove_deprecated(struct_dict.get('hudControl', {})))
-
-  return struct_dataclass
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_car_interfaces.py b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_car_interfaces.py
index 66cf0dc69685310..11a802ea4661f66 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_car_interfaces.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_car_interfaces.py
@@ -5,14 +5,12 @@
 from parameterized import parameterized
 
 from cereal import car
-from opendbc.car import DT_CTRL
+from opendbc.car import DT_CTRL, CarParams
 from opendbc.car.car_helpers import interfaces
-from opendbc.car.structs import CarParams
 from opendbc.car.tests.test_car_interfaces import get_fuzzy_car_interface_args
 from opendbc.car.fingerprints import all_known_cars
 from opendbc.car.fw_versions import FW_VERSIONS, FW_QUERY_CONFIGS
 from opendbc.car.mock.values import CAR as MOCK
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import convert_carControl, convert_to_capnp
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.latcontrol_angle import LatControlAngle
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.latcontrol_pid import LatControlPID
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.latcontrol_torque import LatControlTorque
@@ -72,7 +70,6 @@ def test_car_interfaces(self, car_name, data):
     # Run car interface
     now_nanos = 0
     CC = car.CarControl.new_message(**cc_msg)
-    CC = convert_carControl(CC.as_reader())
     for _ in range(10):
       car_interface.update([])
       car_interface.apply(CC, now_nanos)
@@ -80,7 +77,6 @@ def test_car_interfaces(self, car_name, data):
 
     CC = car.CarControl.new_message(**cc_msg)
     CC.enabled = True
-    CC = convert_carControl(CC.as_reader())
     for _ in range(10):
       car_interface.update([])
       car_interface.apply(CC, now_nanos)
@@ -89,7 +85,7 @@ def test_car_interfaces(self, car_name, data):
     # Test controller initialization
     # TODO: wait until card refactor is merged to run controller a few times,
     #  hypothesis also slows down significantly with just one more message draw
-    car_params_capnp = convert_to_capnp(car_params).as_reader()
+    car_params_capnp = car_params.as_reader()
     LongControl(car_params_capnp)
     if car_params.steerControlType == CarParams.SteerControlType.angle:
       LatControlAngle(car_params_capnp, car_interface)
diff --git a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
index 460b9f196d0c3f3..2ef8e6462a42713 100644
--- a/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
+++ b/selfdrive/car/tests/test_models.py
@@ -14,13 +14,13 @@
 from cereal import messaging, log, car
 from openpilot.common.basedir import BASEDIR
 from openpilot.common.params import Params
-from opendbc.car import DT_CTRL, gen_empty_fingerprint, structs
+from opendbc.car import DT_CTRL, gen_empty_fingerprint
 from opendbc.car.fingerprints import all_known_cars, MIGRATION
 from opendbc.car.car_helpers import FRAME_FINGERPRINT, interfaces
 from opendbc.car.honda.values import CAR as HONDA, HondaFlags
 from opendbc.car.values import Platform
 from opendbc.car.tests.routes import non_tested_cars, routes, CarTestRoute
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import Car, convert_to_capnp
+from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import Car
 from openpilot.selfdrive.pandad import can_capnp_to_list
 from openpilot.selfdrive.test.helpers import read_segment_list
 from openpilot.system.hardware.hw import DEFAULT_DOWNLOAD_CACHE_ROOT
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ def tearDownClass(cls):
     del cls.can_msgs
 
   def setUp(self):
-    self.CI = self.CarInterface(copy.deepcopy(self.CP), self.CarController, self.CarState)
+    self.CI = self.CarInterface(self.CP.copy(), self.CarController, self.CarState)
     assert self.CI
 
     Params().put_bool("OpenpilotEnabledToggle", self.openpilot_enabled)
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ def setUp(self):
     # TODO: check safetyModel is in release panda build
     self.safety = libpanda_py.libpanda
 
-    cfg = car.CarParams.SafetyConfig(**dataclasses.asdict(self.CP.safetyConfigs[-1]))
+    cfg = self.CP.safetyConfigs[-1]
     set_status = self.safety.set_safety_hooks(cfg.safetyModel.raw, cfg.safetyParam)
     self.assertEqual(0, set_status, f"failed to set safetyModel {cfg}")
     self.safety.init_tests()
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ def test_car_params(self):
     # make sure car params are within a valid range
     self.assertGreater(self.CP.mass, 1)
 
-    if self.CP.steerControlType != structs.CarParams.SteerControlType.angle:
+    if self.CP.steerControlType != car.CarParams.SteerControlType.angle:
       tuning = self.CP.lateralTuning.which()
       if tuning == 'pid':
         self.assertTrue(len(self.CP.lateralTuning.pid.kpV))
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ def test_car_interface(self):
     # TODO: also check for checksum violations from can parser
     can_invalid_cnt = 0
     can_valid = False
-    CC = structs.CarControl()
+    CC = car.CarControl.new_message()
 
     for i, msg in enumerate(self.can_msgs):
       CS = self.CI.update(can_capnp_to_list((msg.as_builder().to_bytes(),)))
@@ -241,9 +241,9 @@ def test_radar_interface(self):
     # start parsing CAN messages after we've left ELM mode and can expect CAN traffic
     error_cnt = 0
     for i, msg in enumerate(self.can_msgs[self.elm_frame:]):
-      rr: structs.RadarData | None = RI.update(can_capnp_to_list((msg.as_builder().to_bytes(),)))
+      rr: car.RadarData | None = RI.update(can_capnp_to_list((msg.as_builder().to_bytes(),)))
       if rr is not None and i > 50:
-        error_cnt += structs.RadarData.Error.canError in rr.errors
+        error_cnt += car.RadarData.Error.canError in rr.errors
     self.assertEqual(error_cnt, 0)
 
   def test_panda_safety_rx_checks(self):
@@ -309,17 +309,17 @@ def test_car_controller(car_control):
       self.assertGreater(msgs_sent, 50)
 
     # Make sure we can send all messages while inactive
-    CC = structs.CarControl()
+    CC = car.CarControl.new_message()
     test_car_controller(CC)
 
     # Test cancel + general messages (controls_allowed=False & cruise_engaged=True)
     self.safety.set_cruise_engaged_prev(True)
-    CC = structs.CarControl(cruiseControl=structs.CarControl.CruiseControl(cancel=True))
+    CC = car.CarControl.new_message(cruiseControl={'cancel': True})
     test_car_controller(CC)
 
     # Test resume + general messages (controls_allowed=True & cruise_engaged=True)
     self.safety.set_controls_allowed(True)
-    CC = structs.CarControl(cruiseControl=structs.CarControl.CruiseControl(resume=True))
+    CC = car.CarControl.new_message(cruiseControl={'resume': True})
     test_car_controller(CC)
 
   # Skip stdout/stderr capture with pytest, causes elevated memory usage
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ def test_panda_safety_carstate(self):
     checks = defaultdict(int)
     card = Car(CI=self.CI)
     for idx, can in enumerate(self.can_msgs):
-      CS = convert_to_capnp(self.CI.update(can_capnp_to_list((can.as_builder().to_bytes(), ))))
+      CS = self.CI.update(can_capnp_to_list((can.as_builder().to_bytes(), )))
       for msg in filter(lambda m: m.src in range(64), can.can):
         to_send = libpanda_py.make_CANPacket(msg.address, msg.src % 4, msg.dat)
         ret = self.safety.safety_rx_hook(to_send)
diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/lib/tests/test_latcontrol.py b/selfdrive/controls/lib/tests/test_latcontrol.py
index c8c8d027515bb16..ba4bd0faeceb4a5 100644
--- a/selfdrive/controls/lib/tests/test_latcontrol.py
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/lib/tests/test_latcontrol.py
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 from opendbc.car.honda.values import CAR as HONDA
 from opendbc.car.toyota.values import CAR as TOYOTA
 from opendbc.car.nissan.values import CAR as NISSAN
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import convert_to_capnp
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.latcontrol_pid import LatControlPID
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.latcontrol_torque import LatControlTorque
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.latcontrol_angle import LatControlAngle
@@ -21,7 +20,6 @@ def test_saturation(self, car_name, controller):
     CarInterface, CarController, CarState, RadarInterface = interfaces[car_name]
     CP = CarInterface.get_non_essential_params(car_name)
     CI = CarInterface(CP, CarController, CarState)
-    CP = convert_to_capnp(CP)
     VM = VehicleModel(CP)
 
     controller = controller(CP.as_reader(), CI)
diff --git a/selfdrive/controls/lib/tests/test_vehicle_model.py b/selfdrive/controls/lib/tests/test_vehicle_model.py
index b58bdbe522a4416..d15519a8667d4ef 100644
--- a/selfdrive/controls/lib/tests/test_vehicle_model.py
+++ b/selfdrive/controls/lib/tests/test_vehicle_model.py
@@ -5,14 +5,13 @@
 
 from opendbc.car.honda.interface import CarInterface
 from opendbc.car.honda.values import CAR
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import convert_to_capnp
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.vehicle_model import VehicleModel, dyn_ss_sol, create_dyn_state_matrices
 
 
 class TestVehicleModel:
   def setup_method(self):
     CP = CarInterface.get_non_essential_params(CAR.HONDA_CIVIC)
-    self.VM = VehicleModel(convert_to_capnp(CP))
+    self.VM = VehicleModel(CP)
 
   def test_round_trip_yaw_rate(self):
     # TODO: fix VM to work at zero speed
diff --git a/selfdrive/debug/format_fingerprints.py b/selfdrive/debug/format_fingerprints.py
index ae1ed06b75ae18c..ea252942aeec15d 100755
--- a/selfdrive/debug/format_fingerprints.py
+++ b/selfdrive/debug/format_fingerprints.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 # ruff: noqa: E501
 {% endif %}
 {% if FW_VERSIONS[brand] %}
-from opendbc.car.structs import CarParams
+from opendbc.car import CarParams
 {% endif %}
 from opendbc.car.{{brand}}.values import CAR
 {% if FW_VERSIONS[brand] %}
diff --git a/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py b/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
index 86813fcb8ecd664..9091d50b90c1653 100755
--- a/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
+++ b/selfdrive/modeld/modeld.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 from openpilot.common.transformations.camera import DEVICE_CAMERAS
 from openpilot.common.transformations.model import get_warp_matrix
 from openpilot.system import sentry
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import convert_to_capnp
 from openpilot.selfdrive.controls.lib.desire_helper import DesireHelper
 from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.runners import ModelRunner, Runtime
 from openpilot.selfdrive.modeld.parse_model_outputs import Parser
@@ -171,7 +170,7 @@ def main(demo=False):
 
 
   if demo:
-    CP = convert_to_capnp(get_demo_car_params())
+    CP = get_demo_car_params()
   else:
     CP = messaging.log_from_bytes(params.get("CarParams", block=True), car.CarParams)
 
diff --git a/selfdrive/modeld/tests/test_modeld.py b/selfdrive/modeld/tests/test_modeld.py
index 1bf2977a9197035..a3c571d7194f54a 100644
--- a/selfdrive/modeld/tests/test_modeld.py
+++ b/selfdrive/modeld/tests/test_modeld.py
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@
 from openpilot.common.params import Params
 from openpilot.common.transformations.camera import DEVICE_CAMERAS
 from openpilot.common.realtime import DT_MDL
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import convert_to_capnp
 from openpilot.system.manager.process_config import managed_processes
 from openpilot.selfdrive.test.process_replay.vision_meta import meta_from_camera_state
 
@@ -24,7 +23,7 @@ def setup_method(self):
     self.vipc_server.create_buffers(VisionStreamType.VISION_STREAM_DRIVER, 40, False, CAM.width, CAM.height)
     self.vipc_server.create_buffers(VisionStreamType.VISION_STREAM_WIDE_ROAD, 40, False, CAM.width, CAM.height)
     self.vipc_server.start_listener()
-    Params().put("CarParams", convert_to_capnp(get_demo_car_params()).to_bytes())
+    Params().put("CarParams", get_demo_car_params()).to_bytes()
 
     self.sm = messaging.SubMaster(['modelV2', 'cameraOdometry'])
     self.pm = messaging.PubMaster(['roadCameraState', 'wideRoadCameraState', 'liveCalibration'])
diff --git a/selfdrive/test/process_replay/process_replay.py b/selfdrive/test/process_replay/process_replay.py
index 59f6c6cc537f0c3..6ac165e36d49427 100755
--- a/selfdrive/test/process_replay/process_replay.py
+++ b/selfdrive/test/process_replay/process_replay.py
@@ -17,14 +17,13 @@
 from cereal import car
 from cereal.services import SERVICE_LIST
 from msgq.visionipc import VisionIpcServer, get_endpoint_name as vipc_get_endpoint_name
-from opendbc.car import structs
 from opendbc.car.car_helpers import get_car, interfaces
 from openpilot.common.params import Params
 from openpilot.common.prefix import OpenpilotPrefix
 from openpilot.common.timeout import Timeout
 from openpilot.common.realtime import DT_CTRL
 from panda.python import ALTERNATIVE_EXPERIENCE
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import can_comm_callbacks, convert_to_capnp
+from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import can_comm_callbacks
 from openpilot.system.manager.process_config import managed_processes
 from openpilot.selfdrive.test.process_replay.vision_meta import meta_from_camera_state, available_streams
 from openpilot.selfdrive.test.process_replay.migration import migrate_all
@@ -363,14 +362,14 @@ def get_car_params_callback(rc, pm, msgs, fingerprint):
     cached_params = None
     if has_cached_cp:
       with car.CarParams.from_bytes(cached_params_raw) as _cached_params:
-        cached_params = structs.CarParams(carName=_cached_params.carName, carFw=_cached_params.carFw, carVin=_cached_params.carVin)
+        cached_params = car.CarParams(carName=_cached_params.carName, carFw=_cached_params.carFw, carVin=_cached_params.carVin)
 
     CP = get_car(*can_callbacks, lambda obd: None, Params().get_bool("ExperimentalLongitudinalEnabled"), cached_params=cached_params).CP
 
     if not params.get_bool("DisengageOnAccelerator"):
       CP.alternativeExperience |= ALTERNATIVE_EXPERIENCE.DISABLE_DISENGAGE_ON_GAS
 
-  params.put("CarParams", convert_to_capnp(CP).to_bytes())
+  params.put("CarParams", CP).to_bytes()
 
 
 def selfdrived_rcv_callback(msg, cfg, frame):
diff --git a/system/hardware/tici/tests/test_power_draw.py b/system/hardware/tici/tests/test_power_draw.py
index eb3a515b76eeaa2..53ad69f7db03fa7 100644
--- a/system/hardware/tici/tests/test_power_draw.py
+++ b/system/hardware/tici/tests/test_power_draw.py
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@
 from opendbc.car.car_helpers import get_demo_car_params
 from openpilot.common.mock import mock_messages
 from openpilot.common.params import Params
-from openpilot.selfdrive.car.card import convert_to_capnp
 from openpilot.system.hardware.tici.power_monitor import get_power
 from openpilot.system.manager.process_config import managed_processes
 from openpilot.system.manager.manager import manager_cleanup
@@ -43,7 +42,7 @@ def name(self):
 class TestPowerDraw:
 
   def setup_method(self):
-    Params().put("CarParams", convert_to_capnp(get_demo_car_params()).to_bytes())
+    Params().put("CarParams", get_demo_car_params()).to_bytes()
 
     # wait a bit for power save to disable
     time.sleep(5)
diff --git a/tools/car_porting/examples/hkg_canfd_gear_message.ipynb b/tools/car_porting/examples/hkg_canfd_gear_message.ipynb
index 5fdbdda6842ca52..4a81f86e9766ddb 100644
--- a/tools/car_porting/examples/hkg_canfd_gear_message.ipynb
+++ b/tools/car_porting/examples/hkg_canfd_gear_message.ipynb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
     }
    ],
    "source": [
-    "from opendbc.car import structs\n",
+    "from opendbc.car import car\n",
     "from opendbc.car.hyundai.values import CAR, HyundaiFlags\n",
     "from opendbc.car.hyundai.fingerprints import FW_VERSIONS\n",
     "\n",
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
     "  #if platform not in database:\n",
     "  #  print(f\"Skipping platform: {platform}, no data available\")\n",
     "  #  continue\n",
-    "  \n",
+    "\n",
     "  all_segments = database[platform]\n",
     "\n",
     "  NUM_SEGMENTS = min(len(all_segments), MAX_SEGS_PER_PLATFORM)\n",
diff --git a/tools/car_porting/examples/subaru_fuzzy_fingerprint.ipynb b/tools/car_porting/examples/subaru_fuzzy_fingerprint.ipynb
index 708e55865bc1bf7..c4ffb0c02986335 100644
--- a/tools/car_porting/examples/subaru_fuzzy_fingerprint.ipynb
+++ b/tools/car_porting/examples/subaru_fuzzy_fingerprint.ipynb
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@
    "metadata": {},
    "outputs": [],
    "source": [
-    "from opendbc.car import structs\n",
+    "from opendbc.car import car\n",
     "from opendbc.car.subaru.values import CAR, SubaruFlags\n",
     "from opendbc.car.subaru.fingerprints import FW_VERSIONS\n",
     "\n",
     "TEST_PLATFORMS = set(CAR) - CAR.with_flags(SubaruFlags.PREGLOBAL)\n",
     "\n",
-    "Ecu = structs.CarParams.Ecu\n",
+    "Ecu = car.CarParams.Ecu\n",
     "\n",
     "FW_BY_ECU = {platform: {ecu: versions for (ecu, addr, sub_addr), versions in fw_versions.items()} for platform, fw_versions in FW_VERSIONS.items()}"
    ]