Smog Check Information, Questions, and Answers

A: There are three reasons to get a smog check:

1. Registration Renewal: Every two years on most vehicles, you are required to get a smog check to renew your registration with the DMV.

*Gasoline vehicles newer than 8 years old, hybrids, motorcycles, gasoline vehicles 1975 or older, and diesel vehicles 1997 and older are exempt from this requirement.

2. Change of Ownership: Most vehicles require a smog check when they are bought or sold. The seller must complete the inspection within 90 days of the sale. If the buyer does not register the vehicle within 90 days of the smog inspection, the vehicle must be tested again.

*Gasoline vehicles newer than 6 years old, motorcycles, gasoline vehicles 1975 or older, and diesel vehicles 1997 and older are exempt from this requirement. Also, transfer of title between certain family members does not require a smog check

Click here for more information on smog check inspections.

Click here for more information on transfers between family members.

3. Bringing in a Car from Out of State: Most cars coming from out of state seeking registration in California need to be smogged.

*Hybrids, motorcycles, gasoline vehicles 1975 or older, and diesel vehicles 1997 and older are exempt from this requirement.

A: The seller must provide the buyer with a valid smog certificate at the time of sale or transfer. Smog certificates remain valid for 90 days from the inspection date.

If the seller already submitted a biennial smog certification to the DMV within 90 days before the transfer, another inspection is usually not required. However, the DMV may request a vehicle inspection report as proof.

NOTE: You do not need a smog certification when transferring a gasoline vehicle that is eight model years old or newer. (Determine the oldest-qualifying year model by subtracting 3 from the current year.) The 4-or-less-years-old-model rule does not apply to diesel-powered vehicles. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner. Click here for the smog transfer fee calculator.

A: Maybe. In most cases, diesel vehicles 1997 and older are smog-exempt. Diesel vehicles with a gross vehicle weight over 14,500 lbs. are also exempt from the smog inspection.

A: Yes. All-wheel drive vehicles are smogged doing a two-speed idle test rather than being tested on a dynamometer.

A: Yes.

A: Yes. We can perform a smog test on your car whether or not it has been directed to a STAR Certified Station.

Yes. We use the Vehicle Identification Number that is imprinted on the vehicle itself to identify the vehicle with the DMV.

A: No. However, you may still want to have your car smogged anyway so you can take advantage of the Consumer Assistance Program to help pay for repairs.

Aftermarket parts such as air intakes must have a valid EO number sticker attached to the vehicle to confirm they are legal for street use in California. If you have questions about any aftermarket parts on your car, please ask before we begin the smog check — not after.