Resources

Smog Check Guides

Straightforward answers to the questions we hear most, from a STAR-certified station in Sacramento.

• How Much Does a Smog Check Cost in Sacramento?

  What affects the price of a smog check, and what to expect for each vehicle type.

• What Is a STAR Smog Station?

  Why STAR certification matters, and which tests require it.

• Failed as a Gross Polluter? What Happens Next

  What the gross polluter flag means and how the free retest works.

• How Often Do You Need a Smog Check in California?

  When a smog check is required for renewal, ownership transfer, and out-of-state vehicles.

• Smog Check Requirements by Vehicle Type

  How requirements differ for standard cars, hybrids, diesels, RVs, trucks, and minivans.

• What Happens If You Fail a Smog Check?

  What a failed test means for your registration, and what to do next.