Frequently ask questions

Knowledgable Facts to keep in mind.

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

Your vehicle does not need a smog inspection if your:

Gasoline-powered vehicle is a 1975 year model or older (This includes motorcycles and trailers.)
Diesel-powered vehicle is a 1997 and older year model OR with a Gross Vehicle Weight of more than 14,000 pounds.
Powered by natural gas and weighs more than 14,000 pounds.
An electric vehicle.
Gasoline-powered and less than eight model-years old.

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

Starting January 1, 2019, if your vehicle is less than 4 model years old, you can pay a smog abatement fee instead of getting a smog inspection for the first 8 years that your vehicle is registered.

Our Quality Promise/ What if you fail Smog?

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

Our Quality Promise/ What if you fail Smog?

If your car fails the smog inspection, you should contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Program. They can help you find out what your next steps are.

Online: asktheref.org/Services/Smog-Check-Results-Review
Phone: 1-800-622-7733

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If I sell my car, do I have to get it inspected first?

Yes. If you are selling your car, you need to give the new owner a valid smog certification when you sell the car.

If the car you are selling is less than four years old, you do not need to get a smog inspection. Instead, the new owner of the car will need to pay a smog transfer fee.

A family member gave me a car. Do I have to get a smog inspection?

No. However, if you are given a car by a family member (a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild) who bought it for you without first titling the car in their name, a smog inspection is required.

Find out more

Frequently ask questions

Knowledgable Facts to keep in mind.

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

Our Quality Promise/ What if you fail Smog?

We Have You Covered/My car is new Do I still have to smog my car for vehicle renewal and registration?

Our Quality Promise/ What if you fail Smog?

Site Content

If I sell my car, do I have to get it inspected first?

A family member gave me a car. Do I have to get a smog inspection?

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