Who needs a smog check in California?
Most cars need a smog check every other year to renew registration. Your DMV renewal notice tells you whether this is a smog year. You need one if your vehicle is:
- Gasoline, hybrid or alternative fuel, model year 1976 or newer
- Diesel, model year 1998 or newer, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 14,000 pounds or less
These are exempt:
- Gasoline, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles eight model years old or newer, at renewal (you pay a smog abatement fee instead)
- Gasoline vehicles 1975 and older, and diesel vehicles 1997 and older
- Electric vehicles and motorcycles
Buying or selling a car
If you're selling, you're responsible for the smog check. A buyer from a private seller needs a certificate from within the last 90 days. Vehicles four model years old or newer don't need one for a change of ownership, and neither do transfers between immediate family members.
What "STAR station required" means
If your DMV renewal notice says "Smog certification required at a STAR station," only a STAR-certified station can certify your car. Union City Smog Check is STAR certified, so we can. See STAR smog check for what it means and why cars are directed there.
What is a test-only station?
A test-only station performs smog checks but doesn't do emissions repairs. That's all we do. We have no reason to fail a car to win a repair job, so you get an unbiased result. If your car needs work, you can take it to the repair shop of your choice.
What happens during the inspection
A licensed technician checks your vehicle's emissions equipment and makes sure nothing has been removed or modified. Then:
- Most 2000 and newer vehicles: the technician connects to the car's onboard diagnostic (OBD) system and reads its emissions data.
- Pre-2000 vehicles: the test includes a tailpipe emissions measurement, which may involve driving the car on a dynamometer (a set of rollers).
Here, most smog checks take 15 to 20 minutes. Bring your DMV renewal notice if you have one.
After the test
If you pass
The certificate is sent to the DMV electronically, so there's nothing to mail. It's valid for 90 days.
If you don't pass
We'll go over the results with you. Have the repairs done at a licensed repair station; some emissions parts and repairs are covered by your vehicle's warranty. The state's Consumer Assistance Program may help pay for repairs or retire the vehicle. When you come back, the retest here is free.
Getting ready? Read our smog check prep tips or the FAQ.
Sources: BAR Smog Check requirements and DMV smog inspections. Rules can change, so check your DMV notice for your vehicle.