The following vehicle model years are subject to a smog check:

• Initial registration (all vehicles being registered in California for the first time) -1976 and newer.
• Resale or change of ownership - 4 years old to 1976
• Biennial for registration renewal - 8 years old to 1976
• Salvaged vehicles are treated as an initial registration and are subject to get a VIN verification, brake and lamp inspection, and Pickups are also required to get a weight certificate.
• Non-Resident vehicles (all gas vehicles and also Diesels with a GVWR less than 14,000 lbs.) require smog, and VIN Verification, Pickups also require a weight certificate.

There is no difference in the inspection process only the type of station/shop. If you choose to go to a smog test only station, they only perform tests and do not perform any repairs and usually take a lot less time to get you in and out. You can choose to go to a test and repair, or a test only station and either can perform the inspection.

A test only station has nothing to gain by failing a vehicle, Where as a test and repair station is in the business for up sales and may look to fail a vehicle in hopes of getting additional work. NOTE:"NOT ALL TEST AND REPAIR STATIONS ARE THIS DECEPTIVE." My suggestion is to know the the reputation of the shop, or just go to a test only station when ever you need to get a smog check of any kind, or for any reason.

A smog certificate is issued by the state only after a vehicle passes the smog test. The certificate is electronically generated and is currently priced controlled by the state at $8.25 and it is against the law for a smog test facility to mark up the price. You are entitled to get a copy of the smog test which also has the electronic certificate # on the print out.

• As of December 1, 2007 The state of California has implemented a new test requirement on all vehicles 1976 thru1995. This new test is called the low evaporation emissions test. The test checks the fuel tank and purge line for fuel vapor leaks.
• All vehicles 1996 and newer are equipped with a computer monitoring system that performs random tests of the evap system to determine the integrity of the fuel system and does not require the evap test to be performed at a smog station. any faults found in the evap system will generate a fault code in the computer memory and turn on the service engine soon (check engine) light alerting the driver of a possible problem.

• All 1998 and newer diesel vehicles under 14000 GVWR are now tested on the new system beginning January, 1, 2014
• 2000 and newer Hybrid and all types of gas vehicles under 14000 GVWR are now tested on the new system beginning March, 9, 2015