California Smog Check Exemptions: Which Cars Don't Need One

California smog check exemptions fall into two groups: vehicles that never need a smog check, and vehicles that skip it for a while and pay a fee instead. Electric vehicles, gas vehicles from 1975 and older, and diesels from 1997 and older (or with a GVWR over 14,000 lb) are exempt from smog checks at renewal. Newer gas cars pay a smog abatement fee for their first 8 model years instead of getting a biennial check, and cars 4 or fewer model years old skip the inspection at transfer and pay a smog transfer fee.

Knowing which group a car falls into matters when you're comparing used cars in Orange County. It tells you whether you'll need a smog check at the next registration renewal and whether the seller has to give you a certificate at the sale.

The full list of exemptions

Electric vehicles: never a smog check

Battery-electric vehicles have no tailpipe, so they're fully exempt from smog checks in California, at renewal and at transfer. That's one reason used EVs appeal to buyers tired of the smog routine. Our current inventory includes two examples: the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 1st Edition and the 2020 Jaguar I-PACE EV400 SE.

Skipping smog doesn't mean skipping due diligence. EV buyers should check high-voltage battery health and recall status by VIN at https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. That's especially important for the 2020 to 2021 I-PACE, which has had high-voltage battery recall campaigns; check remedy status on the specific car with a Jaguar retailer.

Plug-in hybrids and regular hybrids aren't EVs for smog purposes. They have gas engines and follow hybrid rules. See do hybrids need a smog check.

Newer cars: the abatement fee and the transfer fee

These two fees confuse people because they sound alike.

• Smog abatement fee: paid with registration renewal for gas vehicles in their first 8 model years, instead of a biennial smog check. After that, the car moves into the regular every-other-year smog cycle.
• Smog transfer fee: paid by the buyer at the DMV when a vehicle 4 or fewer model years old changes ownership. No inspection is needed at transfer in that case.

So a car in, say, its sixth model year doesn't need a smog check at renewal (it pays the abatement fee), but it does need a smog certificate from the seller when it's sold, because it's more than 4 model years old. Don't state exact fee amounts from memory; the DMV Fee Calculator at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/ shows them for a specific car.

Older vehicles

Gas vehicles from 1975 and older are exempt from smog checks entirely. If you're shopping for a classic in Southern California, that's a real convenience. Cars from 1976 on are not exempt just because they're old. They follow the normal biennial and transfer rules.

Diesels

Diesels from 1997 and older, and those with a GVWR over 14,000 lb, are exempt. Diesels from 1998 onward with a GVWR of 14,000 lb or less, which covers most diesel SUVs and pickups people drive daily, do need smog checks. Our guide to diesel smog checks in California covers what that means for Mercedes BlueTEC models and diesel trucks.

Family transfers

Transfers between a spouse or domestic partner, siblings, parent and child, or grandparent and grandchild don't need a smog certificate at transfer. The exception: it doesn't apply if a relative bought the car for you without titling it in their own name first. This exemption covers only the transfer. If the car is due for its biennial check at renewal, that still applies.

What isn't an exemption

• Military service. Being in the military doesn't exempt a car registered in California from smog.
• "As is" sales. The seller still owes the buyer a smog certificate. See who pays for the smog check.
• Low mileage. A car driven very little still follows the model-year rules.
• Moving from another state. Vehicles new to California need a smog check when first registered here, unless they fall into one of the exempt categories above.

Where Orange County fits in

Orange County is on the DMV's list of areas that require biennial smog checks, along with Los Angeles County and most populated counties. Some renewal notices require a STAR-certified station. If yours does, find one with the station locator at https://www.bar.ca.gov/.

For how all of this fits into buying a car, start with the California smog check guide for used car buyers, and for the transfer paperwork, see the California DMV guide for used car buyers. Every car at Irvine Used Cars is smog checked before sale where required.

Frequently asked questions

Do electric cars need a smog check in California?

No. Battery-electric vehicles are exempt from smog checks at renewal and at change of ownership. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are not exempt because they have gas engines.

What is the smog abatement fee?

It's a fee paid with registration renewal for gas vehicles in their first 8 model years, instead of a biennial smog check. Once the car is past that window, it needs a smog check every other year in areas like Orange County.

Do I need a smog check if the car is less than 4 years old?

Not at transfer. Vehicles 4 or fewer model years old skip the inspection when sold, and the buyer pays a smog transfer fee at the DMV. Count model years, not calendar years from the purchase date.

Are classic cars exempt from smog in California?

Gas vehicles from 1975 and older are exempt. A 1976 or newer car follows the normal smog rules no matter how old it is, so a car from the late 1970s or 1980s still needs inspections.

Is a diesel truck exempt from smog in California?

It depends on age and weight. Diesels from 1997 and older, and those with a GVWR over 14,000 lb, are exempt. Diesels from 1998 on at 14,000 lb GVWR or less need smog checks.

Shopping smog-free

If skipping smog appeals to you, an EV may be the answer, as long as you check battery and recall status. Call or text (516) 835-6141 to ask about one of ours or book a test drive.