Smog check resources
Buying a Used Car? Check Its Smog History First
California keeps a public record of every smog inspection a vehicle has taken. Before you buy a used car, spend two minutes reading it. Here is what to look for.
Smog Check for Registration Renewal: When It's Due and When It Isn't
California smog checks are due every other year at renewal, but the notice is the real authority. Here's how the cycle lands and when testing early wastes money.
Which Cars Are Exempt from Smog Checks in California?
Pre-1976 gas, pre-1998 diesel, EVs, motorcycles, and anything 8 model years old or newer. Here's the full exemption list, plus the fees exempt owners still pay.
STAR Station vs Regular Smog Check: Which Do You Need?
Your DMV renewal notice decides whether you need a STAR station. If it doesn't say STAR, any licensed station works. Here's how to read it and what STAR means.
California's History with Smog
Why California tests cars at all: what smog is, what a smog check measures, and what the state's dirty air has cost in health and hospital bills.