California smog?

Question

i had owned my car for like 5 years and last year i had too smog it and it passed and this year just got renewal form in mail said i had too get it smog again. what it is up with that? i thought it was every other year had too smog it ? since i didnt throw away last year smog paper i have proof as i did it last year will i still have too smog it again? can i take it too dmv and they will exempt it from this year as i have proof i did it last year? are they trying too rip me off?

Answer 1

smog it?

Does that mean have the emissions checked?

If so I can tell you that in most states/locales where they require emission checks the vehicle has to be checked every year.   The fact that your car didn't have excessive emissions a year ago could not be proof that it no longer does.  Cars are mechanical devices in which different systems break down over time (this is why you see so many auto shops).  The purpose of the annual checks is to insure that you're not ignoring things like burning oil and defective catalytic converters.

Answer 2

Pollution Control Device: Biennial Certificate

4000.3.  (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 44011 of the Health and Safety Code, the department shall require biennially, upon renewal of registration of any motor vehicle subject to Part 5 (commencing with Section 43000) of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, a valid certificate of compliance issued in accordance with Section 44015 of the Health and Safety Code. The department, in consultation with the Department of Consumer Affairs, shall develop a schedule under which vehicles shall be required biennially to obtain certificates of compliance.

(b) The Department of Consumer Affairs shall provide the department with information on vehicle classes that are subject to the motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program.

(c) The department shall include any information pamphlet provided by the Department of Consumer Affairs with notification of the inspection requirement and with its renewal notices. The information pamphlet in the renewal notice shall also notify the owner of the motor vehicle of the right to have the vehicle pretested pursuant to Section 44011.3 of the Health and Safety Code.

Amended Ch. 27, Stats. 1994. Effective March 30, 1994.

Amended Sec. 2, Ch. 938, Stats. 1998. Effective January 1, 1999.

So you contact them, and tell them you just had it smogged last year.  They made an error.

Unless of course:  (i) The department determines through remote sensing activities or other means that there is a substantial probability that the vehicle has a tampered emission control system or would fail for other cause a smog check test as specified in Section 44012.

Answer 3

Trying it won't hurt!