Every two years at registration renewal
In the parts of California covered by the smog program, most gasoline, hybrid and diesel vehicles need a smog check every other year when the registration comes due. The DMV includes Los Angeles County in the renewal program, so drivers in Redondo Beach, Lawndale and Hawthorne fall under this rule.
When your registration renewal notice arrives, it will say whether a smog check is required that year. In the off years you simply renew.
Other times a smog check is required
- Change of ownership: the seller must provide a valid smog certificate when a vehicle is sold, unless the vehicle is exempt.
- First California registration: a vehicle from another state normally needs a smog check before it can be registered here. See our out-of-state smog check page.
When is my next smog check due?
For a newer gasoline, hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicle, add eight to the model year. That is the year you first need a renewal smog check. For example:
- A 2020 model-year vehicle is first due in 2028.
- Until then you pay a smog abatement fee with your registration instead of getting tested.
- After the first smog check, you are on the two-year cycle.
Vehicles that never need periodic checks
Gasoline vehicles from 1975 and older, diesels from 1997 and older, fully electric vehicles, motorcycles and trailers are exempt. Read which vehicles are smog exempt for the full list.
Do diesels follow the same schedule?
Yes, with one difference. Diesels from 1998 and newer that weigh 14,000 lbs GVWR or less follow the two-year schedule, but they do not get the newer-vehicle exemption that gasoline vehicles do.
What if I miss my smog check?
The DMV will not complete your registration renewal without a passing result when one is required, and late fees can add up. Do not wait until the last week. Test within a few weeks of your due date, and remember a smog certificate is valid for 90 days. See how long a smog check is good for.
Skip the guesswork
Your renewal notice is the final word. When it says smog check required, come see us. Blaze Smog is open Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and no appointment is needed.
Sources: the California Bureau of Automotive Repair and the DMV smog check pages. Rules and fees can change, so always check your DMV renewal notice for what applies to your vehicle. This article is general information, not legal advice.
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Read articleNeed a smog check? Just drive in.
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