Smog Check Exemption Checker
New vehicles, EVs, older classics, motorcycles and some diesels are exempt from the biennial test. See whether yours is.
Your vehicle is exempt from California's smog check if it's fully electric, a motorcycle, model year 1975 or older, within its first 8 model years (gasoline or hybrid), or a qualifying older/heavy diesel. Everything else needs a biennial test at renewal.
Enter your vehicle's details to check your exemption status.
Smog Check Exemption Checker
Your Smog Check Status
How this is calculated
The tool checks your vehicle against five exemption paths: fully electric (always exempt), motorcycle (always exempt), model year 1975 or older, gasoline and hybrid vehicles within their first 8 model years, and diesel vehicles from before model year 1998 or with a GVWR over 14,000 lbs.
Newer exempt vehicles pay a smog abatement fee with their registration instead of an inspection: $20 a year while the vehicle is 6 or fewer model years old, then $25 in model years 7 and 8 (Health and Safety Code 44060). When a vehicle is sold, only those 4 or fewer model years old skip the check.
If none apply, your vehicle needs a smog check every other year at renewal. Where you live (an Enhanced, Basic or Change of Ownership area, assigned by ZIP code) only changes the test for 1976-1999 cars, which get a dynamometer test in Enhanced Areas; your DMV renewal notice says whether a smog check is due.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which vehicles are exempt from smog check in California?
New gasoline vehicles for their first 8 model years, fully electric vehicles (permanently), vehicles from model year 1975 or older, motorcycles, and diesel vehicles either from before model year 1998 or with a gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 lbs.
Do exempt new vehicles pay anything instead of a smog test?
Yes. Instead of an inspection, the DMV adds an annual smog abatement fee to the registration: $20 while the vehicle is 6 or fewer model years old and $25 in its 7th and 8th model years.
What is an Enhanced Area and does it change exemptions?
Enhanced Areas are the smoggiest urban areas; BAR assigns every ZIP code to an Enhanced, Basic or Change of Ownership area. In Enhanced Areas, 1976-1999 gasoline vehicles get a dynamometer (ASM) tailpipe test. Model year 2000 and newer gasoline and hybrid vehicles get the same on-board diagnostics (OBD) inspection everywhere. The area never changes whether a vehicle is exempt.
Are hybrid vehicles exempt from smog check?
No, not automatically. A hybrid has a gasoline engine and follows the same rules as any gasoline vehicle. It is exempt during its first 8 model years, like any new gas vehicle, or if it's a 1975 or older model. Being a hybrid doesn't exempt it.
Do I need a smog check when I sell my car?
Usually yes, unless the vehicle is 4 or fewer model years old, electric, a motorcycle, 1975 or older, or an exempt diesel. In a private sale the seller must provide a smog certificate from the last 90 days, and the buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee if the car is exempt because it's new.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not affiliated with the DMV or Bureau of Automotive Repair. Confirm your specific vehicle's requirement at dmv.ca.gov before your registration renewal.