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Vehicle Inspections and Smog/Emissions Inspections in California

California (CA), USA

What's in this article?
  1. Inspections In California Vehicle And Smog/Emissions
  2. What Is Included In A Vehicle Inspection?
  3. Internal Inspection
  4. External Inspection
  5. What Is Included In A Smog/Emissions Inspection?
  6. Vehicles Exempt From The Smog/Emissions Test
Vehicle Inspections and Smog/Emissions Inspections in California

Inspections in California: Vehicle and Smog/Emissions

When you have a vehicle shipped to California, there are certain things you must do in order to lawfully have the car registered in the state. First you must be registered as a resident. From there, you can begin the process of vehicle registration. This process may require you to pass a vehicle inspection or smog/emission inspection before it can be registered. You will have anywhere from 10 to 20 days depending on circumstances, to complete this process so it is best to get started right after the vehicle enters the state.

What Is Included in a Vehicle Inspection?

Internal Inspection

  • Review of the engine compartment- check for leaks, fluid levels, condition of belts, and safe start features
  • Cab check and engine start- pressure gauges, mirrors, windshield, wipers, emergency equipment, lights, heater/AC, and brakes
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Smog Emissions Inspection

External Inspection

  • Steering - check boxes, hoses and linkage
  • Suspension - check springs, torques, mounts, and shock absorbers
  • Brakes - inspect slack adjustors, pushrods, chambers, hoses and lines, and linings
  • Wheels - check rims, tires, axle seals, hub oil, lug nuts, and spacers
  • Side of Vehicle - doors, windows, mirrors, fuel tank, exhaust system, frame, and drive shaft
  • Rear of Vehicle - splash guards, doors, ties and lifts

Depending on the vehicle type, other facets of the vehicle may be inspected also. Everything listed above is checked over to assure it is in good condition. Each facet inspected must meet the state standards before it can pass vehicle inspection.

What Is Included in a Smog/Emissions Inspection?

After establishing residency you have 20 days to complete California’s smog/emissions inspection. If you are already a registered resident, a new car may only have 10 days to pass this inspection. However, not all vehicles must undergo this inspection.

Vehicles Exempt from the Smog/Emissions Test

  • Gasoline powered vehicles made in 1975 and older
  • Diesel powered vehicles made in 1997 and older
  • Natural gas powered vehicles weighing over 14,000 lbs
  • Diesel powered vehicles weighing over 14,000 lbs
  • Electric or hybrid vehicles
  • Motorcycles

All vehicles are required to take a biannual smog/emissions test unless they are 6 years or older. In this case, as the owner you will be charged $20 annually for a smog abatement fee for the first 6 years. After 6 years of paying the smog abatement fee, you are required to take the biannual test.

Emissions Test

Popular Shipping Routes

No matter the destination, we're ready for your next move.
Here's our most popular routes from California (CA), USA

California to New York
Sacramento to New York
Los Angeles to New York
Bakersfield to New York
Stockton to New York
Long Beach to New York
Chula Vista to New York
Irvine to New York
Santa Ana to New York
Anaheim to New York
San Jose to New York
Oakland to New York
Riverside to New York
San Diego to New York
Fresno to New York
San Francisco to New York
California to Chicago
Sacramento to Chicago
Los Angeles to Chicago
Bakersfield to Chicago
Stockton to Chicago
Long Beach to Chicago
Chula Vista to Chicago
Irvine to Chicago
Santa Ana to Chicago
Anaheim to Chicago
San Jose to Chicago
Oakland to Chicago
Riverside to Chicago
San Diego to Chicago
Fresno to Chicago
San Francisco to Chicago
California to Houston
Sacramento to Houston
Los Angeles to Houston
Bakersfield to Houston
Stockton to Houston
Long Beach to Houston
Chula Vista to Houston
Irvine to Houston
Santa Ana to Houston
Anaheim to Houston
San Jose to Houston
Oakland to Houston
Riverside to Houston
San Diego to Houston
Fresno to Houston
San Francisco to Houston
California to Phoenix
Sacramento to Phoenix
Los Angeles to Phoenix
Bakersfield to Phoenix
Stockton to Phoenix
Long Beach to Phoenix
Chula Vista to Phoenix
Irvine to Phoenix
Santa Ana to Phoenix
Anaheim to Phoenix
San Jose to Phoenix
Oakland to Phoenix
Riverside to Phoenix
San Diego to Phoenix
Fresno to Phoenix
San Francisco to Phoenix
California to Philadelphia
Sacramento to Philadelphia
Los Angeles to Philadelphia
Bakersfield to Philadelphia
Stockton to Philadelphia
Long Beach to Philadelphia
Chula Vista to Philadelphia
Irvine to Philadelphia
Santa Ana to Philadelphia
Anaheim to Philadelphia
San Jose to Philadelphia
Oakland to Philadelphia
Riverside to Philadelphia
San Diego to Philadelphia
Fresno to Philadelphia
San Francisco to Philadelphia
California to Jacksonville
Sacramento to Jacksonville
Los Angeles to Jacksonville
Bakersfield to Jacksonville
Stockton to Jacksonville
Long Beach to Jacksonville
Chula Vista to Jacksonville
Irvine to Jacksonville
Santa Ana to Jacksonville
Anaheim to Jacksonville
San Jose to Jacksonville
Oakland to Jacksonville
Riverside to Jacksonville
San Diego to Jacksonville
Fresno to Jacksonville
San Francisco to Jacksonville
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Joe Webster always knew the auto transport industry would be a great career option. And with decades of experience, Joe is now an established consultant for A1 Auto Transport.

Joe was born in Santa Cruz, California. During high school, Joe worked as a mechanic; a job continued to work part-time during his bachelor's degree.

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A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
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