Smog check rules for CA

boosted180 · 04-27-2023, 05:36 PM

Does anyone know what the rules are for frequency of smog checks for CA? I know it depends on the County and how old your car is. But what are the specifics??

It used to be that my 2009 370Z was only required to be smog once every few years - can't remember exactly, but maybe 5-6 years?? But for the last 3 years, they required it twice (which comes out to every other year). This year, they are making me go to a STAR station.

If registering the car in a different county would help reduce the frequency of them requiring the car to be smoged, I would do it. I own another property in Orange County, which I think has more lenient smog rules, so I can register my car at that address. I'm in LA County.

boosted180 · 04-27-2023, 05:59 PM

Never mind. Looks like all vehicles 8 years or newer do not require a smog check. All others are every other year. All counties require smog checks except for El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma Counties.

k67p67 · 04-27-2023, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boosted180

All counties require smog checks except for El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma Counties.

Only certain zip codes in those six counties are exempt from biennial smog checks. All the populated areas are not exempt.

vtec to vvel · 04-27-2023, 11:47 PM

CA sure does have alot (too many) rules/regulations when it comes to vehicles.

All we have to do is renew our registration.

04-27-2023, 05:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
boosted180 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: long beach Posts: 188 Drives: '09 370z sport 6m Rep Power: 16	Smog check rules for CA Does anyone know what the rules are for frequency of smog checks for CA? I know it depends on the County and how old your car is. But what are the specifics?? It used to be that my 2009 370Z was only required to be smog once every few years - can't remember exactly, but maybe 5-6 years?? But for the last 3 years, they required it twice (which comes out to every other year). This year, they are making me go to a STAR station. If registering the car in a different county would help reduce the frequency of them requiring the car to be smoged, I would do it. I own another property in Orange County, which I think has more lenient smog rules, so I can register my car at that address. I'm in LA County.

04-27-2023, 11:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
vtec to vvel A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: 813 Posts: 3,915 Drives: 13 Z Rep Power: 502909	CA sure does have alot (too many) rules/regulations when it comes to vehicles. All we have to do is renew our registration. FL 4Motion likes this. __________________ Don't like what I post? Too bad. I really don't give a sh!t

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04-27-2023, 05:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
boosted180 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: long beach Posts: 188 Drives: '09 370z sport 6m Rep Power: 16	Never mind. Looks like all vehicles 8 years or newer do not require a smog check. All others are every other year. All counties require smog checks except for El Dorado, Riverside, Placer, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Sonoma Counties.