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Helpful Info

WHO NEEDS A SMOG?

SMOG RESOURCES

Reasons for a Smog Check​

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  • Registration Renewal

    • ​Most Vehicles are required for a smog check every 2 years to renew your registration with D.M.V.

    • Gasoline vehicles newer than 6 years old, hybrids, motorcycles, gasoline vehicles 1975 or older, and diesel vehicles 1997 and older are exempt from this requirement

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  • Change Of Ownership

    • Most vehicles need a smog check when they are bought or sold. It is the seller's responsibility to have the vehicle inspected within 90 days of the transaction. If the vehicle is not registered within 90 days of being smogged it will need to be inspected again.

    • Gasoline vehicles newer than 4 years old, hybrids, 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.
      More information is at the the state's website.
      http://smogcheck.ca.gov/01_ConsumerActivities/01_GettingSmogged/01b_DoINeedaSmogCheckselling.html

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  • Bringing 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.

Vehicle Smog Check History

If you know your vin number or license plate number, you can check your car's smog check history at the state website.

 

Financial assistance for repairs

California has the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) to help cover the expenses of emissions related repairs.

You can pick up an application at any Smog 'N Go. You can also get an application from California Department of Consumer Affairs.

You can also call them at (800) 952-5210.

 

California's Aftermarket Parts Lookup Web Site

​You can search California's Aftermarket Parts Database here.

California's Official Smog Check Web SiteVisit www.smogcheck.ca.gov for more Smog Check information.

Do I need to smog my vehicle?

​Maybe. 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.​

 

Can you smog my all-wheel drive vehicle?

 

​Yes. All-wheel drive vehicles are smogged doing a two-speed idle test rather than being

 

tested on a dynamometer.

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Can you smog my motorhome?

 

Yes.

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My renewal notice doesn't specify that I need to go to a test-only center. Can you still smog it?

 

​Yes. We can perform a smog test on your car whether or not it has been directed to a test-only center.

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Can you send my smog results to the DMV if I don't have my renewal form with me?  

 

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

 

identify the vehicle with the DMV.

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Will my car pass with an aftermarket air intake or other modification?

 

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.

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Aftermarket parts such as air intakes need a sticker with an eo# affixed to the vehicle to prove that those parts are legal for street use in California.

 

If you have specific questions about specific parts on your car, ask us before we start the smog check, not after we start.

COMMON QUESTIONS 

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