WHAT IS THE SMOG CHECK PROGRAM?
The Smog Check Program is a vehicle inspection
and maintenance program designed to improve
the air we breathe.
The program identifies vehicles with excess emissions so they can be properly repaired or retired. It has greatly reduced air pollution created by millions of cars in California.
WHO OVERSEES THE PROGRAM?
The California Department of Consumer
Affairs’ Bureau of Automotive Repair administers
the Smog Check Program and licenses more
than 7,000 independently owned Smog
Check stations.
WHAT VEHICLES REQUIRE A SMOG CHECK?
Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid
vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that
are model-year 1976 and newer require a
Smog Check, with the following exceptions:
- Eight model years and newer do not
require a biennial Smog Check. - Four model years and newer do not require
a change-of-ownership Smog Check.To determine the first year a vehicle requires a
biennial or change-of-ownership Smog Check,
add eight or four, respectively, to the model year
of a vehicle.For example, a 2020 model-year vehicle will first
be subject to a biennial Smog Check in 2028
(2020 + 8 = 2028). That same vehicle will require
a change-of-ownership Smog Check if sold in or
after 2024 (2020 + 4 = 2024).Diesel-powered vehicles that are
model-year 1998 and newer with a gross
vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds
and less require a Smog Check. There
are no model year exceptions for
diesel-powered vehicles.Motorcycles and electric-powered vehicles
do not require a Smog Check.
You can read more information Here