Who can skip the smog check requirement

You may not need a smog check to register your vehicle in California if your car meets certain conditions. The most common exemption is age: vehicles manufactured before 1975 do not require smog certification. Vehicles that are brand new — typically those with a model year matching the current calendar year or the year before — are also exempt for their first registration.

Electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are permanently exempt from smog checks, since they produce no tailpipe emissions. If you own one of these vehicles, you will never need to pay for a smog test, even when you renew your registration.

Diesel vehicles have different rules depending on when they were made. Diesel trucks and vans manufactured before 2000 are exempt. Diesel passenger cars built before 1997 are exempt. After those years, diesel vehicles follow the same testing schedule as gasoline cars.

Key Takeaways

  • Vehicles made before 1975, brand-new vehicles, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles do not need smog checks in California.
  • Diesel vehicles are exempt if they were manufactured before 2000 (trucks and vans) or 1997 (passenger cars).
  • You must still pass a smog check when you first register a vehicle in California, even if it will be exempt later.
  • Vehicles registered outside California that are moving into the state must pass a smog check before registration, regardless of age.
  • If your vehicle does not meet an exemption, you need a passing smog certificate every two years (or annually for older vehicles in some cases).

What happens when you first register a vehicle in California

The exemption rules change depending on whether you are registering a vehicle for the first time in California or renewing an existing registration. When you register a new-to-you vehicle in California for the first time, you must submit a smog check certificate — even if the vehicle would normally be exempt from ongoing testing.

The only exception to this rule is if the vehicle is brand new (current model year or previous model year) or was manufactured before 1975. Those vehicles can be registered without a smog certificate on the first registration. After that initial registration, the exemption applies to future renewals.

If you are moving to California from another state and bringing a vehicle with you, that vehicle must pass a smog check before you can register it here, unless it falls into one of the permanent exemption categories (pre-1975, electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or the applicable diesel cutoff).

How to learn about your specific vehicle is exempt

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website has a smog check information tool where you can enter your vehicle's year, make, and model to see whether it needs testing. You can also call your local DMV office or visit in person with your vehicle registration documents.

When you check, have your vehicle identification number (VIN) ready. The VIN tells the DMV exactly when your vehicle was manufactured, which is what determines the exemption. The registration card you received when you last registered the vehicle will also show whether a smog check is required for your next renewal.

If you are unsure whether your diesel vehicle meets the cutoff year, the DMV can confirm this based on your VIN. Do not assume your diesel truck or van is exempt — the rules are specific to manufacture year and vehicle type, and getting it wrong means your registration will be rejected.

What to do if your vehicle does not may have access to for an exemption

If your vehicle does not meet any exemption, you will need a passing smog check certificate before you can register or renew your registration. You can take your vehicle to any Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) certified smog station. These stations are independent businesses — the state does not run them — and you can find a list of certified stations on the BAR website or through a straightforward online search.

The smog test itself takes about 30 minutes and costs money that varies by station, though the state sets a maximum fee. You will receive a certificate on the spot if your vehicle passes. If it fails, the station will give you a report showing what needs to be fixed. You can then take your vehicle to a repair shop, have the work done, and return to the smog station for a retest.

Once you have a passing certificate, you can use it to complete your registration with the DMV. The certificate is valid for 30 days, so plan your registration timing accordingly.

Vehicles that fail the smog check

If your vehicle fails the smog test, you have options. You can have the necessary repairs made and return for a retest at the same station. Some stations offer a "free retest" within a certain time period if you had repairs done there, though this varies by location.

If the repairs are expensive and your vehicle is older, you may want to explore whether your vehicle actually qualifies for an exemption that you missed. For example, if you have an older diesel truck, double-check the manufacture year against the state cutoff. If your vehicle is very close to the pre-1975 exemption threshold, verify the exact year with your VIN.

California also has a Gross Polluter Abatement Program for vehicles that repeatedly fail smog checks. If your vehicle fails twice within a 12-month period, you may be required to have it repaired at a state-certified repair facility. The program aims to get high-emission vehicles off the road, but it also means you cannot straightforward keep retesting indefinitely.

Smog check timing and registration renewal

If your vehicle requires a smog check, you will need one every two years when you renew your registration — unless your vehicle is older than a certain age, in which case annual testing may be required. Check your registration renewal notice to see what is required for your vehicle.

You can get your smog check done up to 90 days before your registration expires. This gives you a window to schedule the test without rushing. Many people get their smog check done a month or two before their registration expires, then use the certificate to complete the renewal online or at the DMV.

If your registration expires and you have not renewed it, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on California roads. Driving with an expired registration can result in a citation, so plan ahead if you know your vehicle requires a smog check.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a smog check if I am just renewing my registration for a vehicle I already own?

It depends on your vehicle's age and type. If your vehicle is exempt (pre-1975, electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or meets the diesel cutoff), you do not need one. If your vehicle is not exempt, you will need a passing smog certificate every two years when you renew. Check your registration renewal notice — it will tell you whether a smog check is required.

My car is from 1974. Do I really not need a smog check?

Correct. Vehicles manufactured before 1975 are permanently exempt from smog checks in California. You will not need one for registration or renewal, no matter how many times you renew. Just make sure your registration stays current.

What if I bought a used car out of state and I am moving it to California?

You will need a passing smog check before you can register it in California, unless it is brand new, pre-1975, electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or a diesel vehicle that meets the age cutoff. Get the smog check done before you go to the DMV to register it, so you have the certificate ready.

Can I register my vehicle online if it needs a smog check?

You can complete the registration online once you have your passing smog certificate. Upload the certificate image or bring the physical certificate to the DMV if you prefer to register in person. Either way, you must have the certificate before the DMV will process your registration.

How much does a smog check cost?

The state sets a maximum fee, but the exact cost varies by station. Call ahead to a few certified smog stations in your area to compare prices. The test itself takes about 30 minutes, and you will get your results the same day.