Q: Do I need a smog check?
A: Your vehicle needs a smog check if it is more than six model years old and the model year is 1976 or newer. (This does not include motorcycles, electric and hybrid vehicles, and two-cylinder engine vehicles.)
Q: How often does my vehicle have to be tested?
A: Your vehicle must be tested every other year. A smog check is also required if you sell your vehicle and it is more than four model years old. Some vehicles may require a smog check at a Test-Only station. ( We Deliver ALL Smog Tests Required By Law).
Q: What is a Test-Only station?
A: Test-Only stations are licensed smog check stations that are only allowed to test cars. State law prohibits them from making repairs. ( We Deliver ALL Smog Tests Required By Law).
Q: What is a STAR Station?
A: STAR Stations are Smog Check stations that meet higher performance standards established by the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Q: How will I know if I need to take my car to a Test-Only station?
A: You will be notified on the registration renewal notice sent by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if your vehicle must be inspected at a Test-Only station.
Q: When am I required to get my car smogged?
Under California vehicle emissions control laws and regulations, you must get a smog check for your car in the following cases:
My DMV Registration Renewal Notice says "Smog Certification Required" OR "Smog Certification Required at a Test-Only Center"Most vehicles registered in California are required to pass a smog check every two years. Your annual Registration Renewal Notice lets you know when you need to get a smog check.
I am selling my car.When you sell a vehicle in California, the seller is responsible for getting a smog certificate prior to completing the sale.
I am bringing a car into California to be registered. When you bring a vehicle into California to be registered, you are required to get a smog certificate prior to registration.
Q: How can I help my vehicle pass a Smog Check?
A: changing your oil and perform regular maintenance as recommended in the vehicle Owner's Manual, and not tampering with the emissions control equipment are keys to passing Smog Check.
But, make sure you let a few days go by between your last oil change and the smog test. Some oil changers may include a 10- or 15- or 20-point vehicle checks whereby the car battery is temporarily disconnected. This would temporarily erase the vehicle's memory chip inside your vehicle. An erased memory chip would need a few days of freeway and city driving to repopulate itself.
Q:What happens if my vehicle fails a Smog Check?
A: In order to complete your registration, you will need to obtain the repairs necessary for it to pass its Smog Check retest. Before beginning repairs, find out if you are eligible for Consumer Assistance Program (CAP).
Q:What is CAP and how do I qualify?
A: The Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) provides financial assistance to repair or retire a vehicle that fails a Smog Check. Repair Assistance - If your DMV renewal notice requires a Smog Check at a Test-Only or Gold Shield station, you may qualify for up to $500 in repair assistance once you pay the first $100 in repair costs. You may also qualify if your income is within certain levels, regardless of where you got your Smog Check. If you qualify based on income, a $20 co-pay is all that you need. Vehicle Retirement - If you feel your car is not worth repairing, the State may buy the car from you for $1,000 and have it scrapped at a local dismantler.
A: Your vehicle needs a smog check if it is more than six model years old and the model year is 1976 or newer. (This does not include motorcycles, electric and hybrid vehicles, and two-cylinder engine vehicles.)
Q: How often does my vehicle have to be tested?
A: Your vehicle must be tested every other year. A smog check is also required if you sell your vehicle and it is more than four model years old. Some vehicles may require a smog check at a Test-Only station. ( We Deliver ALL Smog Tests Required By Law).
Q: What is a Test-Only station?
A: Test-Only stations are licensed smog check stations that are only allowed to test cars. State law prohibits them from making repairs. ( We Deliver ALL Smog Tests Required By Law).
Q: What is a STAR Station?
A: STAR Stations are Smog Check stations that meet higher performance standards established by the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Q: How will I know if I need to take my car to a Test-Only station?
A: You will be notified on the registration renewal notice sent by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) if your vehicle must be inspected at a Test-Only station.
Q: When am I required to get my car smogged?
Under California vehicle emissions control laws and regulations, you must get a smog check for your car in the following cases:
My DMV Registration Renewal Notice says "Smog Certification Required" OR "Smog Certification Required at a Test-Only Center"Most vehicles registered in California are required to pass a smog check every two years. Your annual Registration Renewal Notice lets you know when you need to get a smog check.
I am selling my car.When you sell a vehicle in California, the seller is responsible for getting a smog certificate prior to completing the sale.
I am bringing a car into California to be registered. When you bring a vehicle into California to be registered, you are required to get a smog certificate prior to registration.
Q: How can I help my vehicle pass a Smog Check?
A: changing your oil and perform regular maintenance as recommended in the vehicle Owner's Manual, and not tampering with the emissions control equipment are keys to passing Smog Check.
But, make sure you let a few days go by between your last oil change and the smog test. Some oil changers may include a 10- or 15- or 20-point vehicle checks whereby the car battery is temporarily disconnected. This would temporarily erase the vehicle's memory chip inside your vehicle. An erased memory chip would need a few days of freeway and city driving to repopulate itself.
Q:What happens if my vehicle fails a Smog Check?
A: In order to complete your registration, you will need to obtain the repairs necessary for it to pass its Smog Check retest. Before beginning repairs, find out if you are eligible for Consumer Assistance Program (CAP).
Q:What is CAP and how do I qualify?
A: The Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) provides financial assistance to repair or retire a vehicle that fails a Smog Check. Repair Assistance - If your DMV renewal notice requires a Smog Check at a Test-Only or Gold Shield station, you may qualify for up to $500 in repair assistance once you pay the first $100 in repair costs. You may also qualify if your income is within certain levels, regardless of where you got your Smog Check. If you qualify based on income, a $20 co-pay is all that you need. Vehicle Retirement - If you feel your car is not worth repairing, the State may buy the car from you for $1,000 and have it scrapped at a local dismantler.
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