When do i need smog check

For more information, visit our Collector Car page or www. Passenger vehicles or light-duty trucks owned or leased by federal, state, county, city, and special district agencies require a Smog Check. BAR licenses several different types of Smog Check stations to perform Smog Check Program services and meet the needs of consumers and their vehicles:. If your DMV vehicle registration renewal notice indicates a Smog Check is required, remember to take the notice with you.

This will help ensure that the correct vehicle information and Smog Check certificate are electronically sent to DMV. A blinking or flashing light indicates a malfunction that should be addressed immediately to avoid serious damage to the vehicle. A pretest, or pre-inspection, is an unofficial test performed by a station to help identify emissions-related problems prior to an official Smog Check.

Stations may charge for this service and must obtain consumer authorization before performing the pretest. BAR does not regulate prices, but recommends that you shop around and compare prices at several different stations before taking your vehicle in for its Smog Check.

Stations are required to post a list of prices charged for the services it is licensed to perform. The smog certificate is valid for 90 days. If you have questions, ask the station to explain the information on the report.

Once the software is restored, have your vehicle reinspected by a licensed Smog Check station. Note that vehicles initially directed to a STAR or Referee station must return to the same station type to complete the inspection process. If you unknowingly purchased a vehicle with illegally-modified software, you may file a complaint with BAR. Learn more about modified software checks.

Modern vehicles are equipped with on-board diagnostic OBD computer systems that perform self-diagnostic tests. If your vehicle fails a Smog Check, you have several options to meet your Smog Check obligations. If you choose to have your vehicle diagnosed and repaired, keep in mind that all emission-related repairs to correct a smog test failure must be performed by a licensed Smog Check repair technician at a licensed Smog Check repair station.

After repairs are completed, you may have your vehicle re-tested at any Smog Check station. Smog Check Information Most vehicles in California are required to pass a Smog Check every two years for registration renewal. What vehicles require a Smog Check? Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model year and newer require a Smog Check, with the following exceptions: Six model-years and newer do not need a biennial every other year inspection.

Four model-years and newer do not need a change-of-ownership inspection. Motorcycles and electric-powered vehicles are currently exempt from the Smog Check Program. Once your vehicle passes inspection, you'll receive a smog inspection certificate to present to the CA DMV when you register or renew your vehicle registration. Generally, most smog check stations also report inspections to the DMV electronically.

This helps in case you want to renew your registration via mail or online. Here, you'll find help with smog check dispute resolution. Contact for more information. In order to drive your vehicle after a smog check failure, but before you attempt to pass it again, you may request a 60 day temporary operating permit TOP from the DMV.

The price for the permit varies depending if you're registering your vehicle:. The government provides financial assistance for repair work or to retire high polluting vehicles to consumers who qualify. Depending on the availability of funds and the approval of your application, you could be eligible to get help from the state for emissions-related diagnostic and repair services. For more information or to check on the status of an existing application call or visit the Bureau of Automotive Repair site for details and applications.

When selling a vehicle in California, sellers must provide buyers with valid smog inspection certifications at the time of the sale. However, an actual inspection isn't required if the DMV received a biennial smog certification within 90 days of the sale. Diesel-powered vehicles are not included in this exemption.