What is Smog?

The term "smog" originated in England, meaning bad air quality created by a combination of smoke and fog.

Now we know smog as a visible mixture of air pollutants, including those formed by burning fuel. These mix in the lower atmosphere. When exposed to sunlight, the chemical structure changes to become the visible, almost palpable, particulate matter known as "photochemical pollution."Smog is a serious health hazard to all people, but even more so to children, the elderly, people with pulmonary and respiratory (lung) disorders, and the immune-suppressed. Smog causes asthma attacks, headaches, burning eyes, an itchy throat, and a cough.

Smog in California

Decades ago, California became known as the nation's "smog capital" because of the poor air quality in the Los Angeles basin area. Los Angeles County sits in a "bowl" topped by a layer of air that won't permit heavy particles to break up in the atmosphere.In the early 1960s, people began to worry about the bad air outside. In 1963, California became the first state to institute emission controls on new vehicles sold in the state.

Smog Certification

Since then, California has led the nation in concern for the environment and controlling vehicle emissions. The California Department of Motor Vehicles requires the owners of most cars to adhere to strict emissions regulations in order to register them.If you live in certain counties, every other time you renew your vehicle registration you must obtain a "smog certificate” a printout of your vehicle's emissions test results. Your renewal notice will indicate when it's your turn for a smog check. You must register your car within 90 days of your emissions inspection.If your car fails the smog test, you'll be unable to register it until you make repairs and it passes.

In the affected counties, smog certification is required for all vehicles except the following:

·                  Diesel powered vehicles

                  Electric vehicles

                   Hybrid vehicles

                   Motorcycles

                   Trailers

                 Natural gas powered vehicles more than 14,000 pounds

                  Qualifying vehicles made in 1975 or older

Cars Six Years Old and Newer

If your vehicle is six years old or newer, you will be charged an annual smog abatement fee when you register your vehicle, rather than being required to provide smog certification.

Exceptions

The six-year-or-newer rule doesn't apply to nonresident and custom-built cars made since 1976. Those vehicles require smog certification. If you have a custom or specially constructed car, however, you might need a different type of smog certification.

Title Transfer and Smog Requirements

When you sell a vehicle that is four or fewer model years old, a smog certificate will not be required in order to transfer the title. The buyer will pay a smog transfer fee of $8. If the vehicle sold is more than four model years old, the seller must provide evidence of a current smog certification except in any of the following situations:

                   The vehicle transfer occurs between a spouse, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild.

                   The vehicle was registered and biennial smog certification was submitted to the DMV within 90 days before the date the title transfer took place. A vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification.

Vehicles Inspected in Other States

Because California has such stringent rules regarding smog emissions, vehicles that passed smog inspections in other states might not meet California's standards. Therefore, if you buy a vehicle from out of state, you should double-check with the DMV to find out whether you need to get your vehicle inspected in California before you will be allowed to register it.

If your registration expires while you are out of state and you require an update of your smog inspection sticker, you must submit your registration fees immediately to avoid late fees. Upon your return to California, you must get your car's emissions checked and submit the proper paperwork to the DMV. You will not receive your new registration or new sticker until the DMV receives the updated inspection report.

Report Polluters

To report a smoking vehicle, complete a Smoking Vehicle Complaint form or simply dial #SMOG. Be prepared with the following information:

                   The offending vehicle's license plate number

                   Make and model of the vehicle

                   Time and date of the incident

                   Location of the incident