Requirements to Pass the California Smog Check

The state of California requires that the majority of gas and diesel vehicles in all of the state’s counties (with the exception of six) have vehicles get an inspection.

Besides, What zip codes in CA don’t require smog?

Zip code 90704 (Avalon or Catalina Island) is exempt from smog requirements per Health & Safety Code §44044(A). It is the only exempt zip code in Los Angeles County (19).

Keeping this in mind, What counties in California do not require smog checks? What Counties in CA Don’t Require Smog Check? The countries in CA which do not require smog check are El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma.

What cars are exempt from smog check in California?


Smog exempt vehicles can include:

  • Older vehicles (Gasoline powered vehicle models from 1975 or older or diesel powered vehicles from 1997 or older)
  • Electric vehicles.
  • Natural gas powered vehicles with a GWR rating of more than 14,000lbs.

What is smog exempt in California?

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. … Gasoline-powered and less than eight model-years old.

What counties in CA do not require smog?

What Counties in CA Don’t Require Smog Check? The countries in CA which do not require smog check are El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma.

How do I make my car smog exempt in California?


California Smog Check Exemption

  1. Your vehicle must have been registered in California for at least the last two years.
  2. You must have failed a “biennial” smog check inspection.
  3. Your must not have a tampered emissions control system.

Does Shasta County require smog?

Smog inspections are required in the following counties: Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, …

How do I get a smog exemption in California?


California Smog Check Exemption

  1. Your vehicle must have been registered in California for at least the last two years.
  2. You must have failed a “biennial” smog check inspection.
  3. Your must not have a tampered emissions control system.

How old does a car have to be to be smog exempt in California?

Under the current law, cars 30 years or older are exempt from smog testing. That means that this year a model 1974 car is exempt and next year a model 1975 will become exempt.

Can I get a smog exemption in California?

The State of California will allow Income Eligible applicants the opportunity to register their vehicles through the DMV and receive registration tags/stickers for two consecutive years, without passing the smog inspection, and without a smog check certificate.

Does a 1979 car need smog in California?

The state of California currently enforces a law in which any vehicle 1976 and later must adhere to a “vehicle inspection and maintenance check (smog check)” every two years.

What does smog exempt mean?

4 Years & Newer Exempt (Vehicle Transfer) – Smog check exemption includes gasoline powered motor vehicles 4 or less model years old whenever a vehicle is being bought or sold, unless ARB (Air Resource Board) determines that including the 5th and 6th model-year vehicles in the exemption would prohibit the state from …

How old does a car have to be to be exempt from smog in California?

2683 into law. The new law repeals California’s current rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older and replaces it with a law requiring the lifetime testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles.

Does Calaveras County require smog?

Calaveras County is exempt from smog testing for vehicles purchased within the state-except for title transfers for cars four years old or older-but beginning next month pre-1996-model vehicles will have to be tested annually for fuel evaporation and leaks at the time of re-registering the vehicle.

How do you pass smog illegally?


How to Pass Smog Check Illegally [Avoid Them]

  1. Get Rid of the Engine Light.
  2. Change the Oil.
  3. Drive at Highway Speed.
  4. Inflate Your Tires Properly.
  5. TuneUp Prior to the Check.
  6. Don’t Drive Always.
  7. Use Additives.

Will an Arizona car pass California smog?

Answer: Most vehicles manufactured for sale out of state have emission systems configurations different than California. However, any used vehicle which is either California emissions certified or 49-state only, can pass the California smog test and receive registration here.

Does California DMV waive smog check?

We asked California’s DMV for answers to your questions about vehicle registration during the COVID-19 crisis. … The problem: DMV is not waiving the requirement for smog checks on gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles.

How can I pass smog illegally?


How to Pass Smog Check Illegally [Avoid Them]

  1. Get Rid of the Engine Light.
  2. Change the Oil.
  3. Drive at Highway Speed.
  4. Inflate Your Tires Properly.
  5. TuneUp Prior to the Check.
  6. Don’t Drive Always.
  7. Use Additives.

Will the smog exempt year change?

California Governor Signs Smog Check Exemption Repeal Bill Into Law. … 2683 into law. The new law repeals California’s current rolling emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older and replaces it with a law requiring the lifetime testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles.

How old does a car have to be smog exempt in California?

Under the current law, cars 30 years or older are exempt from smog testing. That means that this year a model 1974 car is exempt and next year a model 1975 will become exempt.

What states have no smog?

All together, there are seven total states that have no required vehicle inspections: Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, South Carolina, and South Dakota. Michigan and Mississippi also generally don’t require inspections, except for in some extremely specific scenarios.

How old does a car have to be for no smog in California?

Although vehicles 1975 and older are not required to get a smog check, owners of these vehicles must still ensure that their emissions systems are intact. Anyone wishing to sell a vehicle that is over four years old must first have a smog check performed.