Smog Check in San Diego: Who Needs One and When
Most San Diego drivers need a smog check every other year, plus when a car changes hands. The exemptions are narrower than people think.
By EZ Auto Repairs Editors · Updated
Who needs a smog check
In California, a Smog Check is required every other year at registration renewal, when a vehicle changes ownership, and when a vehicle is registered in California for the first time. That covers gasoline, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles from model year 1976 on, and diesels from 1998 on.
Hybrids have been part of the program since January 2015. Your DMV renewal notice tells you whether a smog check is due this cycle.
Who's exempt
- Gasoline, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles from model year 1975 or older.
- Diesel vehicles from model year 1997 or older, or over 14,000 lb GVWR.
- Natural gas vehicles over 14,000 lb GVWR.
- Fully electric vehicles and motorcycles.
The 8-year rule for newer cars
Vehicles eight model years old or newer skip the biennial check. Instead, the owner pays a smog abatement fee with registration, currently $20. A 2020 model, for example, first needs a biennial smog check at its 2028 renewal.
Buying or selling: the 4-year rule and the 90-day window
When a vehicle changes ownership, it needs a smog check unless it's four model years old or newer, in which case the buyer pays an $8 smog transfer fee instead. The model-year exemptions don't apply to diesels.
In a private-party sale, the seller is responsible for providing a passing smog certificate, and it must be from within the last 90 days. If you're buying from a private seller, ask for the certificate before money changes hands.
STAR stations
STAR stations meet higher performance standards set by BAR. Some vehicles are "directed" to a STAR station, and your DMV renewal notice will say so if yours is one of them. STAR stations can also test any other vehicle, so they're a safe default if you're unsure.
When to call the Smog Check Referee
The Smog Check Referee is a state-contracted service for situations a regular station can't settle. It explains test results, performs third-party re-inspections, handles unusual and specially constructed vehicles, helps locate hard-to-find emissions parts, and grants one-time repair-cost waivers if you've spent at least $650 on emissions repairs and still can't pass.
Referee appointments are scheduled by phone at 1-800-622-7733.
If your car fails
Get the failure report and take it to a licensed Smog Check repair station. If your household income qualifies, California's Consumer Assistance Program can pay for most of the repair or pay you to retire the car. Apply and wait for your eligibility letter before starting repairs, or the program won't pay.
Common questions
- Do I need a smog check to sell my car in San Diego?
- Usually, yes. The seller must provide a passing smog certificate from within the last 90 days unless the vehicle is four model years old or newer (the buyer then pays an $8 transfer fee) or otherwise exempt, such as an electric vehicle.
- Are electric cars exempt from smog checks in California?
- Yes. Fully electric vehicles are exempt. Hybrids are not and have been tested since 2015.
- How new does a car have to be to skip the biennial smog check?
- Eight model years or newer. Those vehicles pay a $20 smog abatement fee with registration instead.
Keep reading
In San Diego County? See our city guides for local DMV offices and smog help.
Sources
Last checked October 2026.