California requires smog checks every two years for most vehicles, with some exceptions based on age, type, and recent changes to the vehicle

In California, a smog check (also called a smog test or emissions test) is required every two years for most passenger vehicles. The exact timing depends on when your vehicle was first registered in the state and whether it falls into a category with different rules. Vehicles registered before 1975, diesel vehicles over 14,000 pounds, and some newer vehicles have different schedules or are exempt entirely.

Your smog check must be completed within 30 days before your vehicle registration expires. If your registration expires on June 15, you can get the test done starting May 16. The test itself takes about 10 minutes and costs between $30 and $70 depending on the test station.

Key Takeaways

  • Most California vehicles need a smog check every two years, timed to expire within 30 days before your registration renewal date.
  • Vehicles first registered in California before 1975 are permanently exempt from smog checks.
  • New vehicles (typically model year 2000 and newer) are exempt from smog checks for their first six years of registration in California.
  • If you fail a smog check, you have 30 days to repair the vehicle and retest at no additional charge at the same station.
  • You can find smog check stations through the Bureau of Automotive Repair's online locator or by searching for "smog check near me" in your area.

Two-year cycle for most vehicles

If your vehicle was first registered in California in 1975 or later and is not exempt for another reason, you will need a smog check every two years. The state ties this requirement to your vehicle registration renewal, so your smog check window opens 30 days before your registration expires and closes on the expiration date itself.

This means if you renew your registration on time, you will never be without a current smog check. If you let your registration lapse, you will need a smog check before you can renew it. The test station will report your results directly to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, so you do not need to bring paperwork to the DMV.

Vehicles exempt from smog checks

Several categories of vehicles do not need smog checks at all. Vehicles first registered in California before 1975 are permanently exempt. Vehicles registered for the first time in California in model year 2000 or newer are exempt for their first six years of registration in the state — after that, they follow the two-year cycle.

Diesel vehicles weighing more than 14,000 pounds are exempt, as are motorcycles and vehicles registered as historic or collector vehicles. If you are unsure whether your vehicle is exempt, the Bureau of Automotive Repair website has a tool where you can enter your vehicle information and see your smog check status.

What happens if you fail the smog check

If your vehicle fails the smog check, the test station will give you a written report showing which emissions standards it did not meet. You have 30 days from the test date to repair the vehicle and return to the same station for a retest at no charge. The retest must happen within 30 days, or you will need to pay for another test.

If your vehicle fails a second time at the same station, you can take it to a different station for a third test. If it fails a third time, you may be may be able to access for the Consumer information Program, which can help pay for repairs. You will need to contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair directly to learn whether your vehicle qualifies.

Timing your smog check with registration renewal

The easiest way to stay on schedule is to get your smog check done about a month before your registration expires. This gives you time to address any failures and still renew your registration on time. You can check your registration expiration date on your vehicle registration card or by logging into your DMV account online.

If you forget and your registration expires before you get a smog check, you cannot legally drive the vehicle until you have both a current smog check and a renewed registration. Getting the smog check first is usually faster than renewing registration, so start there if you are behind.

Where to get a smog check

You can get a smog check at any Bureau of Automotive Repair-certified test station. These include independent smog shops, some gas stations, and some repair shops. The Bureau of Automotive Repair maintains an online locator tool on its website where you can search by zip code or city to find stations near you.

Prices vary by location but typically range from $30 to $70. Some stations charge extra for certain vehicle types or for tests that require a dynamometer (a machine that measures emissions under load). Ask the station about its price before you schedule or arrive, and bring your vehicle registration card so the station can verify your vehicle information.

Changes to smog check rules for newer vehicles

California has made recent changes to smog check requirements for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Starting with certain model years, battery electric vehicles are exempt from smog checks entirely because they produce no tailpipe emissions. Plug-in hybrid vehicles follow the standard two-year schedule for now, though this may change as the state updates its emissions standards.

The state continues to adjust smog check rules as vehicle technology changes. If you own a newer vehicle or an electric vehicle, check the Bureau of Automotive Repair website or call your local smog station to confirm your specific requirements, as rules may differ from older vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a smog check more than 30 days before my registration expires?

No. California law requires that your smog check be performed within 30 days before your registration expires. If you get a test more than 30 days early, it will not be valid for your registration renewal, and you will need to test again.

What if I move out of California — do I still need a smog check?

No. Once you register your vehicle in another state, California smog check requirements no longer explore. However, you must complete a smog check before you can renew your California registration if you are still registered in the state.

Do I need a smog check if I only drive my car occasionally?

Yes. The requirement is based on your registration renewal date, not how often you drive. Even if your vehicle sits unused most of the year, you will need a current smog check to renew your registration every two years.

What documents do I need to bring to the smog check station?

Bring your vehicle registration card so the station can verify your vehicle information and confirm you are not exempt. You do not need to bring any other documents — the station reports results directly to the DMV.

Can I renew my registration online if I have not done the smog check yet?

No. The DMV system will not allow you to renew your registration online until a current smog check result is on file. You must complete the smog check first, then renew your registration either online or at a DMV office.