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Frequently Asked
Questions About Smog
Checks
Not all vehicles
must get a Smog
Check. Additionally,
some vehicles only
need a 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.
Some
vehicles are exempt
from the Smog Check
program
All 30 and older
model-year vehicles
are exempt from all
aspects of the Smog
Check program, but
owners of these
vehicles are
required by law to
keep their emissions
systems intact.
Vehicles built in
1975 for the 1976
model-year are 1976
vehicles and must be
tested accordingly.
Additionally,
vehicles with diesel
engines, vehicles
with two-cycle
engines, vehicles
with engines smaller
than 50 cubic inches
of displacement,
electric vehicles,
and motorcycles are
exempt from the Smog
Check program.
Yes, I need
a Smog Check
New vehicles
exempt until their
fifth year
Vehicles four
model-years old and
newer (model-years
2001-2004, for
registrations due
after 1/1/2004 ) are
not required to have
a biennial (every
other year) Smog
Check performed
until their fifth
year. However, these
vehicles must have a
Smog Check performed
if the vehicle is
sold, or being
registered in
California for the
first time. Some
additional vehicles
might not be
required to have a
biennial Smog Check
performed if the
specifications in
the following
document are met.
Extension of Smog
Check Exemptions
Change of
Ownership Areas vs.
Basic and Enhanced
Areas
Most areas of the
state require
vehicles to have a
Smog Check performed
every two years,
when being sold, and
when being initially
registered in
California. These
areas are referred
to as the state's
Basic and Enhanced
Areas. However,
Change of Ownership
Areas only require a
Smog Check when the
vehicle is being
sold or initially
registered in
California. You can
determine the Smog
Check area you are
in by calling the
Department of
Consumer
Affairs/Bureau of
Automotive Repair
toll-free at
1-800-952-5210 or by
checking the
ZIP Code Locator.
Yes, I need
a Smog Check
How do I
know if my vehicle
needs a Smog Check?
The Department of
Motor Vehicles (DMV)
will note on your
DMV Renewal Notice
whether a Smog Check
is required to
reregister your
vehicle. In
addition, an
information insert
explaining the Smog
Check Program
requirements should
be included in that
mailing.
No Smog
Check required on
sales within
immediate family
Section 4000.1
(d)(2) of the
California Vehicle
Code exempts from
the change of
ownership Smog Check
requirement vehicles
being sold or
transferred between
certain family
members, such as
parents,
grandparents,
children,
grandchildren,
siblings, or
spouses.
Current law exempts
vehicles
30-model-years old
and older from the
Smog Check program.
The Consumer
Assistance Program
is available at
participating Gold
Shield stations for
motorists who need
assistance (up to
$500) in repairing a
vehicle when it
fails a biennial
(every other year)
Smog Check.
Click here to
learn more about the
Consumer Assistance
Program and to
obtain an
application, or
visit
www.smogcheck.ca.gov.
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