Q: What is a
"pre-inspection" and how do I get one?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: Motorists who believe their vehicles may not pass initial smog
certification at local Smog Check stations may request that an
inspection be conducted before an official smog certification test. This
procedure can help vehicle owners avoid their vehicles being designated
as "Gross Polluters," requiring final inspection at a Test-Only Center.
Q: What are the elements
of a Smog Check?
--------------------------------------------------------------
A: In order for your vehicle to receive a Smog Check certificate,
it must pass all the following elements:
A visual inspection, in which all required emissions control components
and systems are identified, and must appear connected and functional.
A functional inspection, which includes checking the operation of the
emissions control warning indicators, ("Check Engine" light), the
ignition timing, the gas cap, and the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
system (if the vehicle is so equipped and a Two-Speed Idle (TSI) test is
being performed). A functional check of a vehicle’s On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) system is also performed on 1996 and newer vehicles. Diagnostic
information stored in the vehicle’s computer is reported on the Vehicle
Inspection Report (VIR) that the motorist receives at the end of the
Smog Check inspection. OBD information can save time and money when
repairs are required.
A tailpipe emissions test, which measures exhaust emissions using a
probe inserted into the vehicle’s tailpipe during testing. Vehicles pass
or fail this part of the Smog Check inspection based on established
emission standards, sometimes called cutpoints.
Q: What do I need to
know about engine modifications?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: The following apply to any modifications or deviations from
the original emission control configuration:
You must use Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) specification parts
for use in your specific year, make, and model of vehicle; or
The part must have an Executive Order (EO) number that shows it has been
exempted by the California Air Resources Board for use in your specific
year, make, and model of vehicle; or
The equipment used must be certified by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) for use in your specific year, make, and model
of vehicle.
Check out the Bureau's " Engine Change Guidelines" brochure on this Web
site for additional information.
Q: Why don't light-duty,
diesel-powered vehicles have to get a Smog Check?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: Inclusion of light-duty, diesel-fueled vehicles was considered
during development of the Smog Check Program. It was determined that
when compared to the nation's vehicle fleet as a whole, light-duty,
diesel-fueled vehicles and trucks represent a small portion of the
entire fleet, less than one percent. In addition, while particulates are
visible in diesel exhaust, smog-causing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon
emissions from diesel-fueled vehicles are comparatively low. Testing for
NOx (oxides of nitrogen) in diesel emissions is under evaluation. With
light-duty diesel vehicles comprising less than one percent of the total
number of California registered vehicles, the costs associated with
implementing a new regulatory program to include these vehicles are
currently prohibitive.
Q: Have California
vehicle emissions standards changed?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: In 1996, BAR adjusted some standards to increase their
fairness. As a result, some standards are slightly more stringent than
they were previously and some are slightly more lenient than before.
Updated emissions standards categories were created for many of the
newer cars; the new groupings take into consideration the dramatic
changes in automotive technology which have occurred during the past 15
years. California's emissions standards consider the model year, vehicle
type, and gross vehicle weight. Older cars have looser standards than
newer ones. No vehicle is ever held to a standard intended for a car
which is newer or technologically more advanced, and allowance is made
for normal wear and tear in a vehicle's emissions control system as it
ages. In fact, Smog Check failure rates for all vehicles have decreased
since the new guidelines were implemented.
Q: What if I go to the DMV to
register my vehicle and my electronic Smog Certificate is not there?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: If you are going to register your car in person at a
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) field office, be sure to bring your
Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) and any notices sent by the DMV with
you. When you pay for a smog inspection at a licensed Smog Check
station, they are required to give you a copy of the VIR generated by
the Smog Check analyzer, which states whether your car passed or failed
and the level of pollutants emitted. Located on the VIR is an
identification number which will help the DMV track your electronic
certificate.
Q: I received a "Notice
of Incomplete Registration" from the DMV requesting a smog
certification. What do I do?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: The DMV sends this notice when it cannot locate a Smog Check
certificate for your vehicle. You may do one of two things:
If you have not yet completed a Smog Check inspection, do so. Once DMV
receives the electronic transmission, the DMV database will be updated
and your registration and sticker will be issued. No further action is
required on your part.
If you have already successfully completed a Smog Check inspection and
30 days have elapsed, contact DMV for additional instructions.
Q: Is the Smog Check
program biased against older vehicles?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: No. While California law requires the Smog Check program to
focus on high-polluting vehicles, it does not discriminate based on
vehicle age or a specific vehicle make or model. All types and model
years of vehicles can be a high emitter, which is based on a comparison
of each vehicle with similar makes, models and years. Furthermore, Smog
Check does not require owners of "classic" or "older" vehicles to
retrofit these vehicles to meet newer standards. BAR's emissions
standards take into consideration the age, make and model of each
vehicle. No vehicle is ever held to a more restrictive pollution
requirement than the standard which applied when the vehicle was new.
Q: How do I contact a
Referee?
-------------------------------------------
A: Call the Referee Scheduling Center at 1-800-622-7733 Monday
through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to make an appointment.
Mondays are typically the busiest days. Some Referee Centers are also
open on Saturdays.
Q: Where does the money
from the Smog Check go?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
A: There are more than 7,500 privately owned and operated Smog
Check stations in California. The inspection and repair fees they charge
are neither set nor collected by BAR. Rather, prices are set by market
forces. The only money BAR receives is a portion of the $8.25 Smog Check
Certificate fee.
The $8.25 is an administrative fee for the Smog Check program and is
deposited into the Department of Consumer Affairs' Vehicle Inspection
and Repair Fund. The fee funds research and development operations,
engineering, administration, complaint mediation, enforcement, and
public education necessary to run the Smog Check program.
Information supplied by: The Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair
