Smog Laws in CA

TARDCORE

When does cali require you to smog your car if it is a new vehicle? Someone told me if you buy a new car they won't require even a test for the first 5 years.

dad

Every other year at renewal.

Smog Requirements

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Trips

That sounds about right, any engine mods will probably have to come off because it will fail the visual inspection by the smog tech, exhaust may pass. can someone clarify if I'm off.

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tru_Asiatik

well last car i had i bought new back in 2003 and i didnt get a smog check request from dmv till 2009 so thats 6 yrs after that not sure i think its every 2 yrs

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TARDCORE

well my first car I had I only had to smog it once in 4 years. And I haven't had to smog my current car yet and have had it for nearly 2 years but it will fail due to engine mods. Gonna have to pay someone to pass it if they don't bring the 2010 Z's out by then

edeeZee

According to Dad's link:

Vehicles registered in areas subject to the biennial smog certification program are required to submit evidence of a smog certification every other renewal period. Owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification. The registration renewal notice mailed to you by the department will indicate if a smog certification is required. If a smog certification is required and you have not had a smog inspection, you may still pay your registration fees to avoid any late fees. However, you will not receive your new registration or year sticker until the smog information has been received by DMV.

TARDCORE

hmmm I wonder if maybe they are late on everyones car which is why many of us seem to get one like very 4 years or so. Well regardless theres always ways around it especially for everyone whos FI we all know their secrets

dad

Sorry I only read the first sentence. That second sentence is a head scratcher.

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TARDCORE

What I meant is I know quite a bit of people who have boosted cars and cars with no cats that obviously do not pass smog... yet they still register them AND recieve tags. Meaning something under the table is happening. Where theres a will theres a way.

I wanted add that I by no means intend to offend anyone and I am not a shady person. This kind of stuff happens everywhere. Smog test officials being paid off has been happening for quite some time. If you think about it though, a dealer selling and installing test pipes on cars and letting their customer drive away is just as illegal.

edeeZee

I highly doubt a new car dealer will do that. They can get in a lot of trouble which can shut the doors of their dealership if they do things like you described. Used car mom & pop dealers might do this, some at least.

qnsblvd

What I can't quite understand is whether that 5 year exemption from smog for new cars means that a California resident could run something illegal like long-tubes for 5-6 years before having to bolt off the headers. Basically the question boils down to: how often is visual inspection done?

ChrisF

In a word, yes. You can run whatever doesn't get you pulled over for up to 6 years until your first official smog test. But as with all things related to modding, you should be realize you may have to pay to play at some point. CA police and CHP are cracking down more and more on illegal mods. If you are pulled over for anything, they can ask you to pop your hood and inspect for mods. If they see anything they don't like, they can hand you a smog ref ticket and back to stock you will have to go. And if you feel like asserting your civil rights by declining and underhood search, that's fine, but your car will leave on a tow truck.

I have been running a modded car with stealth tasteful mods for close to 5 years and have had very good luck so far. Rule of thumb should be, the more attention you attract, the more likely you are to be sent to a ref.

TARDCORE

I hate california and its ways. I live and work near the border and I cant undertsand why they crack down on the people who live here vs the people who have visas to work/visit/go to school here etc. Everytime I see a car with Baja plates and white/black smoke comming from their tail pipe and cops just following them as normal but yet I get pulled over for a loud exhaust... makes no sense at all. I mean yeah you can hear it but you cant smell or see it and feel bad for all the 3 legged children that are born from the pregnant women in the car next to it. California is without a doubt the worst state and the federal gov never opens up tranfers to a desireable location. rant over.

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Stealth_Z

that's california for ya

southercadesi

Not sure about the new car. But I have to smog my car every 2 years.

Also I heard you have to smog a car whenever you sell it too? Not sure about that though.