Smog Check Program Requirements

DC Circuit Rejects EPA's Latest Guidance on Smog Standards

Levels of ground-level ozone, the main component of smog, are still higher in some metropolitan areas than is allowed under an old air quality standard that was replaced in 1997. In response to a 2006 court ruling that said EPA had illegally eased pollution rules by deciding not to enforce the old standards, EPA came out with guidance last summer that would leave intact the fines and other compliance measures but would drop them automatically if an area meets the newer standard.

The Natural Resources Defense Council challenged the new plan, saying it would slow down efforts to clean up the air. The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia agreed today, deciding that EPA made the same mistake that it made the last time around.

A provision in the Clean Air Act bans what is called backsliding on air quality. There is a "one-way ratchet" toward stricter rules when EPA decides to change them, and that means EPA must check that areas are complying with both old standards and new ones, the court ruled.

"Because the attainment alternative allows violations of the 1-hour standard to continue, it makes the ratchet two-way -- a clear violation of the statute," Judge David Tatel wrote for a unanimous three-judge panel.

The court said EPA should look to Congress if it wants to get rid of the requirements of an old standard.

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and three other Republicans have introduced a bill this session to get rid of the San Joaquin Valley's $29 million penalty for violations of the old ozone standard of 120 parts per billion (ppb) averaged over one hour.

EPA estimates that standard is equivalent to 90 ppb averaged over eight hours, which is higher than the standard of 84 ppb that was put in place in 1997. The lawmakers say it makes no sense to make states pay fines for the old rules when they are making progress.

Smog Check $29.95 in Walnut | Walnut 76

Print Smog Test Coupon

Not all vehicles must get a smog check. Additionally, some vehicles only need a passing smog check when they are being sold or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state. Whether or not a vehicle needs a smog check depends on the type of vehicle, the model-year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered.

Under California vehicle emissions control laws and regulations, you must get a smog check for your car in the following cases. Click the link that fits your case to move to the next step.

1) My Registration Renewal Notice says “Smog Certification Required”

Most vehicles registered in California are required to pass a smog check every two years. Your annual Registration Renewal Notice lets you know when you need to get a smog check.

2) I am selling my car

When you sell a vehicle in California, the seller is responsible for getting a smog certificate prior to completing the sale.

3) I am bringing a car into California to be registered.

When you bring a vehicle into California to be registered, you are required to get a smog certificate prior to registration.

Some vehicles are not required to obtain a smog check inspection for registration purposes.

Vehicles that are six or less model-years old are abated from the biennial smog check inspection requirement. For vehicles with registration renewals due in the 2008 calendar year, the abated years include 2003 through 2008.

Vehicles that are four or less model-years old are abated from the smog check inspection requirement upon change of ownership and transfer of title transactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles. In 2008, the abated years are 2005 through 2008.

As of April 1, 2005, the 30 year rolling exemption was repealed. 1976 and newer vehicles are now required to have smog check inspections for biennial registration renewals, change of ownership transactions and initial registration in California.

Vehicles being initially registered in California that were previously registered in another state are exempt from the biennial smog check inspection requirements if the vehicle is a 1975 or older model. All 1976 to current year vehicles are required to obtain a smog check certificate of compliance prior to initial registration in California. Print Smog Test Coupon

The Smog Check Program has greatly reduced air pollution created by millions of cars in California. According to the California Air Resources Board, the program removes about 400 tons of smog-forming pollutants from California’s air every day. With no surprise, the California Smog Check Test is known to be among the toughest smog tests in the U.S. Although greatly reducing pollution created from cars, the California Smog Check Program did not meet its expectations. Studies have shown that the program managed to only reduce the two main polluting emissions by only 12.3% and 9.8%. (hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide )This is a great letdown since it was predicted to have lowered the polluting rate by 25%. The program is inevitably quite unsuccessful, but is still actively running in the state of California. In addition, inefficiency in this program is how the people in California only have to have their car smog checked every 2 years, so they only prepare their car before the day of inspection. Since people don’t find the need to be aware of their high use of fuel emissions, they are subconsciously polluting far more than they really have to. California’s automobile emission standards are among the highest in the world. In 1996, California’s government sought to enforce stricter Smog Check tests because the more populated areas of the state were heavily polluting. The state [by whom?] figured that if they zeroed in on the very populated areas of the state, there would be a significant reduction in car emissions air polluting. The government also decided that since some areas needed more attention than others in relation to smog checks, those areas were to have stricter test/ smog laws then others. While inspecting cars for smog, the state recognized the fact that 10-15% of the states smog was coming from the emissions of large cars with large engines. SUV’s put out 43% more global-warming pollutants. This led to truck owners being closely zeroed in on for their car being checked. What was interesting to the government though was how such a heavily populated region like the Bay Area had a fairly low rate on air pollution. The terms smog check , smog test , and emission check all refer to the same thing. There are two different ways a smog check is implemented: ASM & TSI. TSI (Two Speed Idle) test is used to inspect all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles. The vehicle is inspected at 2500rpm and idle. This is how all vehicles were inspected prior to 1997. ASM (Acceleration Simulation Mode) test procedures involve operating the vehicle on a dyno at 15 mph and 25 mph under load. Operating an ASM test allows for the measurement of a third emission gas (smog) nitrogen oxide (NOx).

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