Does My Car Need a Smog Check This Year?

The easiest way to know: look at your DMV renewal notice. If it says “Smog Certification Required,” you need one this year.

Cars that usually need a smog check every two years

• Gas and hybrid cars, 1976 and newer, once they’re past their first 8 years of registration
• Diesel cars and trucks, 1998 and newer, under 14,000 lbs GVWR

Cars that usually don’t

• Newer gas and hybrid cars in their first 8 years of registration. You pay a smog abatement fee with your registration instead.
• Gas cars 1975 and older
• Diesel cars 1997 or older
• Electric cars, motorcycles, and trailers

Other times you need one

• Selling a car: Most sales need a smog check. If the car is less than four years old, the new owner pays a smog transfer fee instead. More on that.
• Registering a car from out of state: Most need one.

STAR or regular?

Some notices say the car must go to a STAR station. We’re a non-STAR station, so we can’t take those. Check your plate here if you’re not sure.

Still not sure?

Text us the year and type of car, and we’ll tell you.