Do out-of-state cars need a smog check in California?
Friday, October 30, 2026 · Fact-checked against official sources
Yes. A car from another state needs a passing smog check from a California station the first time it is registered here, if it is a 1976 or newer gas or hybrid car or a 1998 or newer diesel up to 14,000 lb (BAR, DMV). The exemption for newer California cars does not apply, so a 2025 car moved here in 2026 still needs one.
The rule applies in every part of California, including rural areas with no renewal smog check (BAR Reference Guide). A test from another state doesn't count, because the DMV asks for a certification from a California smog station.
Which out-of-state vehicles need a smog check?
An out-of-state vehicle needs a California smog check unless it falls into one of the exempt groups: gas cars from 1975 and older, diesels from 1997 and older or over 14,000 lb, electric cars and motorcycles.
| Vehicle | Smog check to register in California? |
|---|---|
| Gas or hybrid, 1976 and newer, any age | Yes |
| Natural gas or propane, up to 14,000 lb GVWR | Yes |
| Diesel, 1998 and newer, up to 14,000 lb GVWR | Yes |
| Gas, 1975 and older | No |
| Diesel, 1997 and older or over 14,000 lb GVWR | No |
| Fully electric or motorcycle | No |
How long do you have to register an out-of-state car?
You have 20 days to register your car after you become a California resident or get a job here, according to the California Driver's Handbook. Registration fees are due within 20 days of the date they become due, which is the first of these dates:
- The date you establish residency.
- The day after your out-of-state registration expires.
- The date the car enters California, if you were already a resident.
The smog check doesn't have to hold up the fees. The DMV says to submit your application and fees on time even if you don't yet have everything, smog included, to avoid penalties. It can also issue a one-time 30-day temporary operating permit on an incomplete application.
Does a newer car from another state need a smog check?
Yes, a newer car from another state needs a smog check for its first California registration, even if it would be exempt had it always been registered here. After that first test it follows the same schedule as any California car, as long as its model year qualifies:
| After it is registered here | Rule for a gas or hybrid car |
|---|---|
| Renewal, newest eight model years | No smog check. Abatement fee of $20 or $25 a year |
| Renewal, older | Smog check every other year |
| Sale, newest four model years | No smog check. Buyer pays $8 |
| Sale, older | Smog check from the seller |
Can California refuse to register my car?
California can refuse a nearly new car that wasn't built to California standards. The DMV treats any vehicle with under 7,500 miles when a California resident buys it as new, and a new vehicle must be California certified. A passing smog check doesn't get around this.
How it applies depends on who you were when you got the car:
- You are moving here. You may register a new federal (49-state) vehicle if you first registered it in your home state, or in your last state of military service. Bring proof it was registered.
- You already live here and bought it elsewhere. Under 7,500 miles, it must be California certified, unless an exemption applies, such as a divorce or inheritance settlement, or replacing a California car stolen or destroyed out of state. See Fast Facts 29 for the list.
To check a car, read the emission label under the hood. It should say the vehicle conforms to California regulations or is legal for sale in California. Do this before you buy.
Imported cars are different. The DMV warns that cars from other countries, including Canada and Mexico, may be costly or impossible to convert, so check with CARB first.
What do you need to register an out-of-state car?
To register an out-of-state car, the DMV's How To 9 guide asks for these:
- Application for Title or Registration (REG 343), signed by all registered owners.
- Your last out-of-state title. Without it, the DMV marks the registration "Nontransferable" and issues no California title.
- Your last out-of-state registration, or a letter from that state confirming it.
- Verification of Vehicle (REG 31), completed by a DMV employee, a police officer or a licensed vehicle verifier.
- A smog certification, if the table above says you need one.
- Your out-of-state plates, unless they are expired or that state wants them back.
- Registration, transfer and use tax fees, which vary. Use the DMV fee calculator for an estimate.
Where do you get the smog check, and what does it cost?
Get it at any licensed California smog station. BAR sends vehicles to STAR stations through a message on the renewal notice, so unless the DMV tells you otherwise, a first registration doesn't need a STAR station. The inspection takes about 30 minutes, and it also checks that aftermarket parts meet California rules.
Stations reported an average price of $69.66 in BAR's September 2026 report, plus the $8.25 state certificate on a pass. Coupons on SmogCheckDeals had a median price of $39.75 before the certificate as of October 2026. Compare coupons or find a station near you.
What if the car fails?
If the car fails, it can't finish its California registration until it is repaired and passes. Read what to do after a failed smog check. BAR's repair assistance program requires a failed biennial inspection, so ask BAR before you count on it for a first registration.
What if my California car is out of state?
That is a different situation. If your car is already registered in California and is away at renewal time, the DMV can grant a temporary exemption using form REG 5103. You get the smog check when it comes back.
Sources: BAR: Smog Check · BAR Smog Check Reference Guide · DMV: How To 9, Register a Vehicle From Out of State · DMV: Fast Facts 29 · DMV manual: Nonresident vehicles · DMV: Driver's Handbook, Section 11
Rules checked against BAR and DMV sources on October 30, 2026.