ASmog checks, Southern California
Smog check?Call it done.
Tell us the car and ZIP. Stations near you quote the check. Pass, and the station sends the result to the DMV electronically. You finish the renewal.
- Smog certification required
- Smog abatement fee$20
- Pay renewal feesby expiry
BWhy you're here
Every smog check
starts with paper.
A notice, a sale, a new address, a failed test. Pick the file that matches yours and we'll send you to stations that do it.
My notice says smog certification required
California requires a smog check every other year to renew registration. The notice tells you when it's your year. BAR
Find stations →I'm selling my car
The seller gives the buyer a valid smog certification. Gas cars four model years old or newer skip it, and the buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee.
Find stations →I just moved to California
A smog check is required to register a vehicle here for the first time, including one registered in another state.
Find stations →It says STAR station
Some notices read "Smog Certification Required at a STAR station." Ask each station to confirm it's STAR certified before you go.
Find stations →My car failed
The inspection report lists why. Get the repair done, then retest. BAR's Consumer Assistance Program may help eligible owners pay for emissions repairs.
Find testing →The check engine light is on
BAR says to get it repaired as soon as possible, and a blinking light needs attention right away. Fix it before the test.
Find a shop →CThe paper trail
Test bay to DMV,
no envelope.
- 1
The notice shows up
The DMV sends a renewal billing notice about 60 days before your registration expires. If it reads "Smog Certification Required", this is your year. DMV
- 2
The station tests the car
Cars from 2000 and newer are read through the on-board diagnostic system. 1999 and older get a tailpipe test. BAR
- 3
The result goes to the DMV
A passing certificate is sent to the DMV electronically and is valid for 90 days. Nothing to mail, nothing to carry. BAR
- 4
You finish the renewal
Pay your renewal fees. The DMV says there is no grace period, and late penalties grow the longer you wait.
Your 90 day window
Pick a month to see your window.
DPick the form
Four ways to
get it signed off.
Smog check
The test your renewal, sale or first California registration asks for.
- Renewal every other year
- Change of ownership
- New to California
STAR station check
Same smog check, at a station certified under BAR's STAR program. Your notice says if you need one.
- Ask the station to confirm STAR
- Bring your renewal notice
Emissions testing
Failed once, or want to know before the real test? Find a shop that tests emissions.
- Read the inspection report
- Repair, then retest
Check engine light
A lit check engine light is part of what the inspector looks at. Get it diagnosed and repaired first.
- Diagnostic scan
- Repair estimate in writing
EThe file on smog
How California
got the paperwork.
Smog started as a mystery over Los Angeles. The fix became a test, then a certificate, then a line on your renewal notice.
The first smog
The first recognized smog episodes hit Los Angeles. Visibility dropped to about three blocks.
The car is the culprit
Dr. Arie Haagen-Smit of Caltech finds hydrocarbons from gasoline and nitrogen oxides from engine exhaust behind the smog.
The first emissions control
California mandates positive crankcase ventilation, the nation's first auto emissions control technology.
Tailpipe standards
California adopts the nation's first tailpipe standards for carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
CARB is created
The Mulford-Carrell Act creates the California Air Resources Board.
The Smog Check program begins
The California Smog Check Program takes effect. Testing becomes part of owning a car here.
The test plugs in
Model year 2000 and newer cars move to the OBD based test, which reads data from the car's computer instead of the tailpipe.
Hybrids join
Hybrid vehicles become subject to smog check requirements.
Book it, get it done
Tell us the car, compare stations near you and pick a time on Lokuli.
Sources: CARB history, CARB emission control timeline, CARB on the OBD test and Wikipedia's Smog Check Program article.
FThe fine print
Read for you,
linked for you.
Straight from the state agencies that run the program. Tap a line to read the source.
GHow it works
Fill. Test. Done.
- Fill it inYear, make, model and ZIP. That's what a station needs to quote you.
- Get testedCompare stations near you on Lokuli and request a time that works.
- DonePass, and the result reaches the DMV electronically. Pay your renewal and you're finished.
HNear you
Stations,
by address.
IQuestions
Smog, answered.
How do I know I need a smog check this year?
Your DMV renewal notice says so. It reads "Smog Certification Required", or "Smog Certification Required at a STAR station". California requires a check every other year for most cars at renewal.
How does the DMV get my result?
The station sends a passing certificate to the DMV electronically. You don't carry or mail anything. The certificate is valid for 90 days.
How early can I get it done?
A passing result is valid for 90 days, so a check inside the last 90 days before your registration expires still counts. The DMV sends the renewal notice about 60 days before expiration.
My car is new. Do I need one?
Gas, hybrid and alternative fuel cars eight model years and newer usually skip the renewal check and pay a smog abatement fee instead, listed at $20 on the DMV fee page. Add eight to the model year to find the first renewal check.
Do I need a smog check to sell my car?
Yes, the seller gives the buyer a valid smog certification. Gas, hybrid and alternative fuel cars four model years and newer are exempt for a sale, and the buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee.
I just moved here. What do I need?
A smog check is required to register a vehicle in California for the first time. The check also confirms aftermarket parts meet California rules.
Which vehicles don't need one?
Electric vehicles, motorcycles, gas vehicles from 1975 and older, and diesel vehicles from 1997 and older or over 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating.
What if my car fails?
Read the inspection report, get the repairs done and retest. BAR's Consumer Assistance Program offers repair help or a payment to retire the car, if you're eligible and funds are available.
How much does a smog check cost?
Each station sets its own price. Stations quote you through Lokuli, so you can compare before you go.
JRun a smog station?
Get these bookings.
Smog Done sends drivers to stations on Lokuli. Claim a booking page free, take requests online, and pay no commission on any plan.