Smog Check Reference Guide
Exam/Latest Update/ Verifed
Questions and Answers
Gasoline vehicles 4 or less model years old - -Smog Check certification
is required in all program areas when an affected vehicle changes
ownership, with the exception of...
-Enhanced Areas - -These areas do not meet federal or state air quality
standards for ozone and carbon monoxide.
-Enhanced Areas - -Gasoline vehicles between 1976 and 1999 MY are
subject to a loaded mode emissions test in these program areas.
-Basic Areas - -These areas are less polluted than Enhanced Areas, but
biennial inspections are required.
-Change of Ownership Areas - -These are more rural areas of the state
that require Smog Check only when an affected vehicle changes
ownership.
-Zip code based station locator - -Some counties are solely in one
program area, while other counties may be in two or three program
areas. Use this tool on the BAR website to determine your program area.
-Gasoline - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles powered
solely or in combination by:
-Propane - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles powered
solely or in combination by:
-Natural gas - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles
powered solely or in combination by:
-Methanol - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles
powered solely or in combination by:
-Ethanol - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles powered
solely or in combination by:
-1998 and newer - -Any vehicle powered solely or in combination by
diesel is only affected by the Smog Check program if it is from a model
year...
-14,000 lbs and less - -Any vehicle powered solely or in combination by
diesel is only affected by the Smog Check program if it has a GVWR of
, -Exempted until further notice - -Vehicles powered by CNG, LNG, or LPG
with a GVWR of 14,001 or more are...
-Affected - -What is the status of a 1999 diesel vehicle under 14,000
GVWR?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a 2001 diesel vehicle over 14,001
GVWR?
-Affected - -What is the status of a 2000 gasoline hybrid vehicle?
-Affected - -What is the status of a 2008 gasoline vehicle over 14,001
GVWR?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a gasoline vehicle 1975 or older?
-Exempt from change of ownership inspection and biennial inspection -
-What is the status of a gasoline vehicle 4 or less model years old?
-Affected - -What is the status of a diesel vehicle 4 or less model years
old?
-Exempt from biennial inspection - -What is the status of a gasoline
vehicle 6 or less model years old?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a diesel vehicle 1997 or older?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a diesel vehicle with a GVWR of
14,001 lbs or more?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a vehicle powered solely by
electricity?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a vehicle with two cylinders or less?
-Affected - -What is the status of a vehicle with a rotary engine?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a vehicle with a two-stroke piston
engine?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a motorcycle?
-90 days - -If a vehicle is undergoing a transfer of ownership, a Smog
Check certificate is not required if a certificate has been issued in
connection with registration renewal within the past...
-Spouse, sibling, child, grandchild, parent, or grandparent - -If a vehicle
is undergoing a transfer of ownership, a Smog Check certificate is not
required if the the vehicle is being transferred between a person's...
Exam/Latest Update/ Verifed
Questions and Answers
Gasoline vehicles 4 or less model years old - -Smog Check certification
is required in all program areas when an affected vehicle changes
ownership, with the exception of...
-Enhanced Areas - -These areas do not meet federal or state air quality
standards for ozone and carbon monoxide.
-Enhanced Areas - -Gasoline vehicles between 1976 and 1999 MY are
subject to a loaded mode emissions test in these program areas.
-Basic Areas - -These areas are less polluted than Enhanced Areas, but
biennial inspections are required.
-Change of Ownership Areas - -These are more rural areas of the state
that require Smog Check only when an affected vehicle changes
ownership.
-Zip code based station locator - -Some counties are solely in one
program area, while other counties may be in two or three program
areas. Use this tool on the BAR website to determine your program area.
-Gasoline - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles powered
solely or in combination by:
-Propane - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles powered
solely or in combination by:
-Natural gas - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles
powered solely or in combination by:
-Methanol - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles
powered solely or in combination by:
-Ethanol - -Affected vehicles include 1976 and newer vehicles powered
solely or in combination by:
-1998 and newer - -Any vehicle powered solely or in combination by
diesel is only affected by the Smog Check program if it is from a model
year...
-14,000 lbs and less - -Any vehicle powered solely or in combination by
diesel is only affected by the Smog Check program if it has a GVWR of
, -Exempted until further notice - -Vehicles powered by CNG, LNG, or LPG
with a GVWR of 14,001 or more are...
-Affected - -What is the status of a 1999 diesel vehicle under 14,000
GVWR?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a 2001 diesel vehicle over 14,001
GVWR?
-Affected - -What is the status of a 2000 gasoline hybrid vehicle?
-Affected - -What is the status of a 2008 gasoline vehicle over 14,001
GVWR?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a gasoline vehicle 1975 or older?
-Exempt from change of ownership inspection and biennial inspection -
-What is the status of a gasoline vehicle 4 or less model years old?
-Affected - -What is the status of a diesel vehicle 4 or less model years
old?
-Exempt from biennial inspection - -What is the status of a gasoline
vehicle 6 or less model years old?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a diesel vehicle 1997 or older?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a diesel vehicle with a GVWR of
14,001 lbs or more?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a vehicle powered solely by
electricity?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a vehicle with two cylinders or less?
-Affected - -What is the status of a vehicle with a rotary engine?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a vehicle with a two-stroke piston
engine?
-Exempted - -What is the status of a motorcycle?
-90 days - -If a vehicle is undergoing a transfer of ownership, a Smog
Check certificate is not required if a certificate has been issued in
connection with registration renewal within the past...
-Spouse, sibling, child, grandchild, parent, or grandparent - -If a vehicle
is undergoing a transfer of ownership, a Smog Check certificate is not
required if the the vehicle is being transferred between a person's...
