Smog Check Center

09/25/2026

STAR Stations - Check your STAR report card ⬇️

www.bar.ca.gov/star/report/

09/17/2026

Yay, this is great news for Classic car Enthusiasts.

California is expanding its smog-check exemption to more classic cars under a bill signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday.

Newsom signed Senate Bill 1392, known as "Leno's Law," at Jay Leno's Garage in Burbank. The law will create a phased-in exemption for qualifying collector vehicles from model years 1976 through 1985. California currently exempts vehicles made before the 1976 model year from the state's regular smog-check requirement.

Under the new law, qualifying collector vehicles made before 1981 will become exempt beginning Jan. 1, 2028. One additional model year will then be added annually, eventually reaching 1985 model-year vehicles in 2033.

05/01/2026

Your vehicle may not be ready for a Smog Check if you recently disconnected or replaced the battery.

Drive your vehicle for a week or two to allow the readiness monitors to reset before taking it in for a Smog Check.

Learn more: www.bar.ca.gov/smog-check

04/25/2026

Your Smog Check matters!

They make the air cleaner by finding cars that pollute too much. Then, these vehicles can be fixed or taken off the road.

Learn more: www.bar.ca.gov/smog-check

04/21/2026

Questions about Smog Check? Learn about requirements and options available to you if your vehicle fails. www.bar.ca.gov/smog-check

03/26/2026

To determine the first year most vehicles need a biennial Smog Check, add eight to the model year of a vehicle.

For example, a 2020 model-year vehicle will first be subject to a biennial Smog Check in 2028 (2020 + 8 = 2028).

Learn more about what vehicles need Smog Checks and other requirements: www.bar.ca.gov/smog-check

01/09/2026

Vehicle not worth fixing? Our Consumer Assistance Program has a vehicle retirement option!

You can receive up to $2,000 to retire your operational vehicle.

Learn more and apply online: www.bar.ca.gov/cap/retirement.

12/04/2025

Consumers have options when they need help with a lemon 🍋🚗.

The Arbitration Certification Program is a fast and simple Lemon Law Assistance resource. Contact us for more information.

🌐 www.dca.ca.gov/acp
📞 (916) 574-7350
✉ [email protected]

12/03/2025

Does your vehicle require a Smog Check at a STAR station?

STAR stations meet higher performance standards required to inspect vehicles with a higher likelihood of failure.

Find a STAR station to complete the inspection: www.bar.ca.gov/locator

11/26/2025

Failed Smog Check? Don’t worry, you have options!

- Have your vehicle repaired by a licensed station. www.bar.ca.gov/locator
- Contact the Referee for a second opinion. www.asktheref.org
- Apply for the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) to repair or retire your vehicle. www.bar.ca.gov/cap