What is a Smog Check?

If you want to sell a car without a smog check in CA, you will need explicit permission from the Department of Motor Vehicles, California. The only other option is to create an agreement between the seller and buyer stating that they both agree the vehicle may not be able to clear a smog test. The countries in CA which do not require smog check are El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma. If your vehicle fails the smog test, your car will not be allowed to drive on the streets. The Smog Check Program is conducted by the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau of Automotive Repair to identify vehicles with surplus emissions so they do not pose a threat to the environment. The zip code checker to see if your vehicle needs to pass a smog check.
To clarify, the Test Only center’s main obligation is to perform a non-bias and accurate inspections. To summarize, only smog stations can not do STAR smog checks. STAR stations must meet specified performance standards established by BAR. Some STAR stations are licensed to perform only tests, while others are licensed to perform both tests and repairs. The station is required to post a sign on the services it performs. The STAR sign  is bright red and can usually be found hanging directly under or near the station’s Smog Check sign.

The Department of Motor Vehicles website uses Google™ Translate to provide automatic translation of its web pages. This translation application tool is provided for purposes of information and convenience only. Google™ Translate is a free third-party service, which is not controlled by the DMV. The content currently in English is the official and accurate source for the program information and services DMV provides. If any questions arise related to the information contained in the translated content, please refer to the English version. If you are selling your car, you need to give the new owner a valid smog certification when you sell the car.
The Department of Motor Vehicles renewal notice will indicate whether a Smog Check is required to re- register your vehicle. Most areas of the state require vehicles to have a Smog Check performed every two years, when being sold, and when being initially registered in California. If you follow these simple procedures the odd of you not passing the smog check are greatly reduced. Do not get fooled in to purchasing phony product that you add to your fuel that claim to guarantee you tot pass.

Environmental Protection Agency as not in attainment with federal health standards for ozone and is designated as an urbanized area. With some exceptions, vehicles registered in enhanced areas are subject to a loaded mode dynamometer emission test. Hybrid vehicles with registration renewals of July 1, 2015, or later are subject to the biennial Smog Check Program. Gas-powered vehicles 1976 model year and newer are subject to the biennial Smog Check Program. Some vehicles are not required to obtain a Smog Check inspection for registration purposes. Older heavy-duty vehicles without an OBD system will continue the current opacity testing requirements with an added visual testing component, twice each year.
Part of the smog test is running the engine at high speed while it’s stationary, which results in less air flowing through the radiator to cool it. Before your smog check, make sure your coolant tank is filled, along with the gas tank—a low gas level could expose the fuel pump and let vapor into the fuel line, which could cause your car to fail. In a nutshell, any car with a gasoline powered engine between 1975 and up to six years old needs to pass a smog check every two years to complete the registration process.
Ask the repair facility, if they can perform the test within 15 minutes of your arrival. This will let the vehicle return to normal operating temperature quickly. Remember to bring the DMV renewal notice with you to the repair facility. The paperwork has a bar code on it that needs to be scanned for the Smog Check test. If you don't have the paperwork, the repair facility may charge you for the extra time it takes to input the vehicle identification number that they could pick up from the bar code.

The Department of Motor Vehicles will note on your DMV Renewal Notice whether a Smog Check is required to reregister your vehicle. In addition, an information insert explaining the Smog Check Program requirements should be  included in that mailing. After repairs are done, and your light doesn’t illuminate any longer, you should drive around until your car’s computer verifies that all operating systems are in good working order.
Although the law clearly supports the buyer, collecting on a court judgment can be difficult. If the seller is a state-licensed auto dealer, buyers have the additional option of filing a complaint with the DMV, which regulates new and used car dealers. When you bring a vehicle into California to be registered, you are required to get a smog certificate before registration. Additionally, some vehicles only need a passing Smog Check when they are being sold, or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state. Whether or not a vehicle needs a Smog Check depends on the type of vehicle, the model year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered.

Make sure that you check local laws to make sure that it is ok for you to use our services. The BAR Smog Check Referee is currently able to offer some appointments at select locations. Currently, ALL Referees and Consumers are required to wear face masks. Now's a good time to explain the three types of smog stations which exist in California. TIP-4 Pick a smog station located near a shopping center or restaurant and drop off your car.
Although vehicles 1975 and older are not required to get a smog check, owners of these vehicles must still ensure that their emissions systems are intact. Government fleets have unique requirements for environmental and sustainability management. Investments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via electrification Star Smog Check transition to EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles, and optimizing vehicle inventory is directly tied to public funds and taxpayer dollars. Government agencies are using smarter tools to monitor smog, idling, fuel costs, PTO monitoring, electrification and electric vehicle transitioning and monitoring.