DMV Smog Check Stations

There are currently more than 7,000 California DMV smog check stations which can inspect your car and provide the necessary certification. The California DMV website offers you the option to search smog check stations by zip code, county or name. Each smog check station sets an individual price for inspection, as well as a fee for the smog certificate.

Used cars

If you purchased a used car, the previous owner must provide you with a valid smog inspection certification which was performed no more than 90 days before your purchase. The vehicle will need to be reinspected if the smog certification was older than 90 days. This is not necessary for gas powered vehicles less than four years old. Instead, the new owner pays a smog transfer fee.

Exemptions

The following vehicles are exempt from biennial smog certification: hybrid, electric, gas powered models prior to 1978, diesel powered models prior to 1998 or those with a gross vehicle weight rate over 14,000 lbs, motorcycle; natural gas powered with gross vehicle weight rate over 14,000 lbs, and a trailer. Vehicles less than six years old do not require smog certifications, but do require the owners to pay an annual smog abatement fee.

Failed Inspection

If your vehicle fails the smog inspection and you meet certain income requirements, the California Department of Consumer Affairs Consumer Assistance Program may be able to repair your vehicle so that it passes smog inspection. If you do not meet that requirement, you may want to take advantage of the Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program, which will pay you a set fee for older vehicles which may have failed the smog inspection.
By: Renata Yvonne

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Not all vehicles must get a smog check. Additionally, some vehicles only need a passing smog check when they are being sold or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state. Whether or not a vehicle needs a smog check depends on the type of vehicle, the model-year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered.

Under California vehicle emissions control laws and regulations, you must get a smog check for your car in the following cases. Click the link that fits your case to move to the next step.

1) My Registration Renewal Notice says “Smog Certification Required”

Most vehicles registered in California are required to pass a smog check every two years. Your annual Registration Renewal Notice lets you know when you need to get a smog check.

2) I am selling my car

When you sell a vehicle in California, the seller is responsible for getting a smog certificate prior to completing the sale.

3) I am bringing a car into California to be registered.

When you bring a vehicle into California to be registered, you are required to get a smog certificate prior to registration.

Some vehicles are not required to obtain a smog check inspection for registration purposes.

Vehicles that are six or less model-years old are abated from the biennial smog check inspection requirement. For vehicles with registration renewals due in the 2008 calendar year, the abated years include 2003 through 2008.

Vehicles that are four or less model-years old are abated from the smog check inspection requirement upon change of ownership and transfer of title transactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles. In 2008, the abated years are 2005 through 2008.

As of April 1, 2005, the 30 year rolling exemption was repealed. 1976 and newer vehicles are now required to have smog check inspections for biennial registration renewals, change of ownership transactions and initial registration in California.

Vehicles being initially registered in California that were previously registered in another state are exempt from the biennial smog check inspection requirements if the vehicle is a 1975 or older model. All 1976 to current year vehicles are required to obtain a smog check certificate of compliance prior to initial registration in California.

Print Smog Check Coupon

Smog Check Coupons