According to the DMV, how often does my vehicle have to undergo smog checks?

For the most part, you are required to have your vehicle checked biennially. However, vehicles that are registered in rural areas only need to be registered twice: (1) during the initial car registration, and (2) when ownership of the car is transferred from one person to another.

I have plans of changing the engine of my vehicle. Will this affect my passing the California smog check?

Changing the engine of your vehicle is a very complicated process. There are many rules and regulations you need to follow in order to pass stringent California smog check standards. For example, an US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) certified engine cannot be used in a vehicle which was first certified for operation within California.

Also, you are not allowed to mix parts of varying engine and emission control systems together. Doing this could cause problems with how environmentally friendly your car will be. Thus, you must install a system certified by the US EPA or the ARB (Air Resources Board) of California. Moreover, the air quality efficiency must match minimum standards for the year during which your car was made, as well as its model.

There are many more rules and regulations which you must follow as regards this issue, so you should do more research on the proper process for changing your engine.

I am an owner of a very old vehicle. Does it still have to undergo smog checks?

By law, if your vehicle is a 1976 model or newer then it needs to undergo the California smog check. If your vehicle is older than that, it no longer needs a smog check. There are also certain types of vehicles such as motorcycles and those with diesel engines which are automatically exempt from the smog check as well.

On average, how much do I need to pay for a California smog check?

On average, the price of a California smog check can vary from US$30 to US$100. In addition there is a US$8.25 State Certificate Fee that may or may not be included in the price range above. This added fee is used by the government of California in order to provide basic services for the improvement of the smog check program.

Also, usually test and repair stations do tend to be a bit cheaper. The reason why is because test and repair stations can charge break even prices because they can make the money back on repairs.

I am planning to buy a new vehicle. Do I have to make it undergo a smog check?

By law, the vehicle seller is required to provide you with a valid California smog certificate. You need this certificate in order to register your vehicle. So you should make sure you have the document before finalizing your purchase.

I am planning to buy a vehicle from outside California. Will it be able to pass the California smog check?

It is a fact that California is stricter when it comes to the allowable amount of vehicle emissions. If your vehicle passed the smog check in another state then it will most likely pass the test in California as well. If not, then you need to find ways to reduce the emissions being released by your vehicle.

How can I have my vehicle that is outside California registered without having to undergo a California smog check?

Your vehicle does not need to undergo a California smog check unless it comes from Mexico or Nevada. In order to complete your registration, all you need to do is fill up a ‘Statement of Facts’ form from the DMV explaining your situation and you’re all set. Brand new registration tags will be mailed to you soon after that.

I’ve seen these Gold Shield (CAP) smog stations. But what exactly are they?

Gold Shield (CAP) smog stations are the best in the state of California. The Gold Shield is a kind of recognition to smog check stations that have consistently shown exemplary performance. These stations are also given the power to repair vehicles that initially failed the smog check. Thus you can have your vehicle repaired and certified by the same station.

I’ve noticed that there are two kinds of smog inspections: (1) regular inspections and (2) Test Only inspections. What’s the difference between the two?

Test Only inspections are performed by smog check stations that only have the authorization to check on your car. Meanwhile, those regular inspections are done by Gold Shield certified stations can perform both smog checks and repairs on vehicles.

Why do California smog check technicians waste my time by checking the entire engine when an illuminated check engine light means automatic failure?

It may seem like a waste of money when technicians do an entire smog check when they know from the very beginning that you will fail the test. However, they are supposed to follow a certain step-by-step process, by law. This process is as follows:

• Inspection of your vehicle’s tailpipe (emissions test)
• Inspection for the presence of residue left by vehicular emissions (visual test)
• Inspection of your check engine light, gas cap pressure, etc. (functionality test)

As you can see, the only time they can score the test of your car a failure because of the shining engine light is during the third and final part of the process. If your engine light is illuminated, then you shouldn’t even attempt to have your car smog check certified.

I am planning to add some aftermarket performance upgrades to my vehicle. Will this affect my passing the California smog check?

For the most part, installing aftermarket products in your vehicle is a sure fire way to fail the California smog check. However, you can install products that have EO numbers given by the state of California. But these products comprise only a small portion of the market for aftermarket performance products.

-----------------------------------------------------

Make sure you check out our California Smog Check section to find out more about smog checks. Click here to return back to our homepage, Clean Air Smog - Smog Check San Francisco