In the Vehicle Registration guide
California smog check — requirements, exemptions & fees
Reviewed by the DMVCA editorial team · updated June 27, 2026
A California smog check confirms your vehicle meets the state’s emissions standards. For most cars it’s part of registration — required every other year at renewal — but plenty of vehicles are exempt, and a few situations (selling a car, bringing one in from out of state) have their own rules.
This hub covers when a check is required, which vehicles are exempt, what it costs, and what to do if your car fails. The one number to trust over everything else is your DMV renewal notice — it tells you whether a smog check is due this cycle and whether you need a STAR station.
How often
Every other year
at renewal, if required
Newer gas cars
$20 fee instead
no inspection
Gas 1975 & older
Exempt
Electric
Exempt
Inspection cost
Varies by station
Certificate fee
$8.25
fixed, station-charged
Smog transfer fee
$8
selling a <4-yr car
On sale
Cert to buyer
Most common
The ones most people need
Decision guide
Do you need a smog check?
If you… → you need…
Your gas car is less than 8 model-years old Pay the $20 abatement fee — no test ›
Your gas car is a 1975 model or older Exempt — no smog needed ›
You drive an electric vehicle Exempt ›
Your renewal notice says smog is due Get a check before you renew ›
You're selling a car 4+ years old Give the buyer a valid certification ›
You're registering an out-of-state car A smog check is required first ›
Not sure? Your DMV renewal notice is the authority — it says whether a smog check is due this cycle and whether you must use a STAR station.
When smog is required — and who's exempt
The triggers, the exemptions, and how your area affects it.
Exempt from the smog check
- A gasoline vehicle that's a 1975 model year or older
- A diesel vehicle that's a 1997 model year or older, or with a gross vehicle weight over 14,000 lbs
- An electric vehicle
- A gasoline vehicle less than 8 model-years old — it pays a $20 smog abatement fee instead of testing
When a check IS required
- Every other year to renew registration, when your vehicle and area require it
- When a vehicle changes ownership — the seller provides a valid smog certification
- When you register an out-of-state vehicle in California for the first time
It depends on your area
- California's Smog Check requirements vary by area — some require a test at each renewal, some only at change of ownership, and a few are exempt
- Your renewal notice tells you whether yours is due
- Check your area's requirement at BAR ›
Smog fees
Cluster-level summary.
Smog inspection Varies by station
Smog certificate fee $8.25
Smog abatement fee $20
Smog transfer fee $8
How to
How to get a smog check
What to do when your vehicle needs a check.
1
Confirm you need one
Check your renewal notice or the exemptions above. Newer, electric, and 1975-or-older gas vehicles usually don't need a test.
2
Find a licensed Smog Check station
Any licensed station can test most vehicles; use a STAR station if your renewal notice requires one. Prices vary, so it's worth comparing.
3
Get the inspection
Bring the vehicle; the station runs the test and reports the result to the DMV electronically — you don't carry paper.
4
If it passes, renew
The certification is on file, so you can renew online right away.
5
If it fails, repair and retest
The station explains what failed. Fix the issue and retest; income-eligible owners may qualify for state repair assistance.
Related sub-topics
Other clusters in the vehicle registration pillar.
The bigger picture
How these connect to the rest of the DMV system
Smog sits between your vehicle and your registration renewal — California verifies the result electronically, so a passing test clears the way to renew online. When you sell a car, the certification passes to the buyer; when you bring a car in from out of state, a check comes before first registration. The fees that are DMV-set (abatement, transfer) are fixed statewide; the inspection itself is priced by each station.
Frequently asked questions
Comparison and definitional — to help you pick the right type.
How often do I need a smog check in California?
Generally every other year when you renew your registration — if your vehicle and area require one. A check is also needed when a vehicle changes ownership and when you first register an out-of-state vehicle in California.
Which vehicles are exempt from smog check?
Gasoline vehicles that are 1975 model-year or older, diesel vehicles 1997 or older (or over 14,000 lbs), electric vehicles, and gasoline vehicles less than 8 model-years old (which pay a $20 smog abatement fee instead of testing).
How much does a smog check cost?
The inspection price varies by station — it's not regulated, so it's worth shopping around. On a pass, the station also charges a fixed $8.25 smog certificate fee.
What is the smog abatement fee?
A $20 fee that newer gasoline vehicles (less than 8 model-years old) pay at registration instead of getting a smog inspection.
Do I need a smog check to sell my car?
If the car is 4 or more years old, yes — you give the buyer a valid smog certification. If it's less than 4 years old, no inspection is needed and the buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee instead.
What happens if my car fails the smog check?
The station tells you what failed. Repair the issue and retest — you can't renew until it passes. Income-eligible owners may qualify for state repair assistance through the Consumer Assistance Program.
Do electric cars need a smog check?
No — electric vehicles are exempt from the California smog check.
I'm moving to California — does my car need a smog check?
Yes. Registering an out-of-state vehicle in California for the first time requires a smog inspection (unless the vehicle is otherwise exempt). See new registration.
Sources. California DMV — Smog inspections · California BAR — Smog Check · California DMV — Registration fees
Last verified June 27, 2026 · reviewed quarterly and after any policy change.