Reviewed and updated October 12, 2026 by the SearchSystems.net editorial team. Every fact on this page was read from the California DMV's own pages that day, and the DMV page each fact came from is linked where it appears.
When the California DMV requires a smog certificate and when it does not: the exempt vehicles, the counties where a renewal needs an inspection, the eight-year rule for newer gasoline cars and the abatement fee, the rules at a sale and a family gift, STAR stations, and what happens when a vehicle fails. Registration renewal is on the registration renewal guide, buying a car on the vehicle registration guide, selling one on the selling a vehicle guide.
In this guide: When the DMV requires a smog certificate, Vehicles that do not need one, Counties where a renewal needs a smog inspection, Buying, selling and gifts, If the vehicle fails, The smog fees on the DMV schedule, Questions about California smog checks
When the DMV requires a smog certificate
Smog inspections are required when you register or renew the registration of a vehicle in California, with exceptions, per the DMV's smog inspections page. The DMV's renewal page says a registration can be renewed online only when the DMV has electronic smog certification information on file for the vehicle, that paying the fees does not finalize a renewal that still needs a certificate, and that the registration is not renewed until the certificate comes in. Paying the fees on time without the certificate avoids late penalties, per the DMV's planned nonoperation page: the DMV issues a receipt showing what is still needed, which does not authorize operation. Inspections are done at DMV-authorized smog check stations found through the Bureau of Automotive Repair; a renewal notice that says to go to a STAR station means one of the stations in the STAR program, which the DMV says began on January 1, 2013, sets smog check standards and replaced the Gold Shield and Test Only programs.
Vehicles that do not need one
No smog inspection is needed, per the DMV, for a gasoline vehicle of model year 1975 or older, including motorcycles and trailers; a diesel vehicle of model year 1997 or older, or with a gross vehicle weight over 14,000 pounds; a natural gas vehicle over 14,000 pounds; an electric vehicle; or a gasoline vehicle less than eight model years old. For newer cars the DMV gives the rule as it stands since January 1, 2019: a vehicle less than four model years old pays a smog abatement fee instead of an inspection for the first eight years it is registered. At a sale the DMV's dealer purchase page exempts diesel vehicles over 14,000 pounds, electric vehicles, natural gas vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, special equipment such as construction and farm vehicles, and off-highway vehicles.
Counties where a renewal needs a smog inspection
The DMV lists the counties whose residents need a smog inspection when renewing: 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, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba. The renewal notice itself says whether a certificate, and which kind of station, is required.
Buying, selling and gifts
A seller must give the new owner a valid smog certification at the sale, per the DMV; when the car is less than four years old no inspection is needed and the new owner pays a smog transfer fee instead. The DMV's dealer purchase page states the dealer rule: a gasoline vehicle less than four years old needs no certification but pays the smog abatement fee, and on a gasoline vehicle more than four years old the dealer must obtain the certification before the sale unless the vehicle was certified within the last 90 days. A car given by a family member (a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent or grandchild) needs no inspection, unless that family member bought it for the recipient without first titling it in their own name. A vehicle brought in from another state is registered within 20 days with the documents on the new to California guide, and a vehicle having trouble passing an original or transfer inspection can get a 30-day or 60-day temporary operating permit, described on the replacement and permits guide. There is no military exemption: active duty members and veterans need the inspection like anyone else.
If the vehicle fails
A vehicle that fails is referred by the DMV to the Bureau of Automotive Repair's Referee Program for next steps, and may qualify for help with emissions-related repair costs through BAR's Consumer Assistance Program. The DMV's temporary operating permits page allows a biennial smog certification permit for a vehicle that failed its biennial inspection: the renewal fees, the failed inspection report, proof of insurance and a $50 nonrefundable fee buy 60 days from the registration expiration date or the date the vehicle came off planned nonoperation, once per vehicle in two years, with the $50 waived on a BAR letter of eligibility for the Consumer Assistance Program; after the 60 days the vehicle may be eligible for a one-day moving permit. BAR answers at 1-866-272-9642 and bar.ca.gov, per the DMV.
The smog fees on the DMV schedule
| Item | Fee, per the DMV |
|---|---|
| Smog abatement fee (Health and Safety Code section 44060) | $20 |
| Smog transfer fee (Vehicle Code section 4000.1) | $8 |
| Alternative fuel or technology smog fee | $8 |
| Biennial smog certification temporary operating permit | $50 |
Source: the DMV's registration fees page and temporary operating permits page. The DMV's pages do not give the price of the inspection itself. Every other registration fee is on the California DMV fees page.
Questions about California smog checks
Does a new car need a smog check at renewal?
The DMV says a gasoline vehicle less than eight model years old does not need an inspection at renewal, and that since January 1, 2019 a vehicle less than four model years old pays a smog abatement fee instead of an inspection for its first eight years; the abatement fee is $20 on the fee schedule.
Which vehicles never need a smog check?
Per the DMV: gasoline vehicles of model year 1975 or older including motorcycles and trailers, diesel vehicles of 1997 or older or over 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, natural gas vehicles over 14,000 pounds, and electric vehicles.
Do I need a smog check to sell my car?
Yes. The seller gives the buyer a valid smog certification, unless the car is less than four years old, in which case the buyer pays a smog transfer fee; the fee schedule lists it at $8. A dealer must obtain the certification on a gasoline vehicle over four years old unless it was certified within the last 90 days.
My relative gave me a car. Smog check?
No, if the family member is a spouse, domestic partner, sibling, child, parent, grandparent or grandchild, unless that person bought the car for you without first titling it in their name.
What if the car fails?
The DMV points to the Bureau of Automotive Repair's Referee Program for next steps and its Consumer Assistance Program for help with repair costs; a vehicle that fails its biennial inspection can get a $50 temporary operating permit for 60 days, waived with a BAR letter of eligibility.
Is there a military exemption?
No. The DMV says active duty military and veterans still need a smog inspection.
Written by SearchSystems.net from the California DMV's smog inspections, vehicle registration renewal, dealer purchase, planned nonoperation, temporary operating permits and registration fees pages, read on October 12, 2026.