smog check
In California, most vehicles are required to have a smog check once every two years. If you have received a DMV smog check required renewal notice in the mail, you can bring your vehicle to Lake Auto & Smog to have it inspected and receive your smog certificate so that you can renew your vehicle registration with the California DMV. Lake Auto & Smog is a licensed inspect and repair smog inspection station located in Lake Elsinore, California.
What is the purpose of a smog check?
The smog check system was introduced in the 1970s with the Clean Air Act in a response to decreasing air quality levels and smog-induced health issues. Bi-annual smog checks are very important to public respiratory health in California, as we have an extremely high concentration of emissions-producing vehicles packed into a very small land area with a very high population of people. When smog levels are too high, it significantly increases the risks of asthma in children and lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses in adults. This has been a major health issue facing Californians for several decades now. The smog check system represents an attempt to address this issue and improve public health.
What is a smog check?
During a smog check, we will test your vehicle’s exhaust system to ensure it is not emitting too many pollutants or smog inducing particles into the air. Using sophisticated computers and sensors, we compare the emissions your vehicle is producing to established California state standards. If the emissions meet the standards requirement, you will be issued a smog certificate which will take effect within one to two hours. The DMV will be notified online during this time, and then you will be able to renew or complete your vehicle registration.
Do I need a smog check?
Smog checks are required for the following vehicles:
Most vehicles manufactured in 1976 and later.
Diesel vehicles with a GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of under 14,000 lbs.
Natural Gas powered vehicles under 14,000 lbs. GVWR.
Facts to know about smog checks:
You usually need to provide the current smog check certification in order to transfer ownership of a vehicle.
The vehicle seller to complete this smog check within 90 days of the vehicle sale.
If your vehicle is less than six years old, you can simply pay a $20 smog abatement fee instead of being required to obtain a smog check certificate.
Most counties in California require a smog check to be performed every two years in order to maintain current vehicle registration status.