Do I Need a California Smog Check?
Whether you need a smog check comes down to your car’s model year, its fuel, its weight, and why you are asking: renewing registration, selling it, or bringing a car in from another state. Your DMV renewal notice is the final word for your vehicle. Here is how the rules generally work.
How often, and the fee on newer cars
Most cars registered in California need a smog check every two years to renew. Gas vehicles eight model years old or newer skip the test and pay a small fee with registration instead. Your renewal notice says which applies to you, and it also says whether the state is sending your car to a STAR station specifically. We are STAR licensed, so either way you are covered here.
Which vehicles are exempt
Gas vehicles from model year 1975 and older are exempt. Diesels from 1997 and older are exempt, and so are diesels over 14,000 pounds. Electric vehicles, motorcycles, and most trailers are exempt. A 1976 or newer gas vehicle is not exempt no matter how little you drive it or how well it runs. California also offers Historical Vehicle plates for qualifying cars at least 25 years old that are used as collector cars, and those come with limits on how you may use the car.
Selling, buying, and moving here
California requires a valid smog certificate on most used-car sales, with exceptions for newer vehicles and for transfers between certain family members. A car being registered in California for the first time from another state generally needs a smog check here, even if it was tested where it came from. A certificate is good for 90 days, so time the test around your paperwork instead of testing early and watching it expire.
What's included
- STAR certified testing for renewals and state-directed vehicles
- Testing for used-car sales and out-of-state registration
- Certificates filed with the DMV electronically
- Test and repair under one roof if the car fails
Smog Check Requirements & Exemptions: questions we get asked
How often does California require a smog check?
Every two years for most registered vehicles, tied to your registration renewal. You also need one for most used-car sales and when registering a car brought in from another state. Your renewal notice states what your car owes this cycle.
Is my classic car exempt?
If it is a gas vehicle from model year 1975 or older, yes. A 1976 or newer gas car has to meet the standards for its year no matter how rarely you drive it. Historical Vehicle plates are a separate program with their own rules about how the car may be used.
Do diesel trucks need a smog check?
Diesels from model year 1998 and newer that weigh 14,000 pounds or less do need testing. Older diesels and heavier ones are outside the program. Call with the year and weight rating and we will tell you what applies.
How long is a smog certificate good for?
Ninety days from the day of the test. If your renewal is further out than that, wait, so the certificate is still valid when you file.
I just moved here from out of state. What do I need?
Registering a car in California for the first time generally means a smog check here, even if it passed an inspection back home, and some cars built for other states need extra verification. Bring your out-of-state title and registration and we will tell you where you stand.
Do I need an appointment?
Call (760) 343-3535 first so a smog technician and the equipment are free when you get here. Walking in without calling can mean a wait.
Family-owned since 1981
Three ASE Master Technicians
12-month / 12,000-mile warranty on qualifying work
32125 Arbol Real, Thousand Palms, CA 92276
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
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Where we serve
We serve drivers across the Coachella Valley: