Palmdale Smog Check FAQ

Your DMV renewal notice will tell you whether a smog check is required to renew your registration. In most areas of California, vehicles need a smog check every two years, when they are sold, and when they are first registered in California.

Not every vehicle needs one. It depends on the vehicle type, model year and where it is registered. Some vehicles only need a smog check when they are sold or brought into California from another state.

The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has step-by-step information at bar.ca.gov.

Visit the BAR website, where you can enter your license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN) to see your smog check history: bar.ca.gov.

If your DMV renewal notice says “Smog Certification Required at a STAR Station,” you’re in the right place — Palmdale Smog Check is a STAR Certified station. STAR stations are monitored closely by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and must meet its high performance standards.

Only STAR stations can certify vehicles that the DMV has directed to a STAR station for registration renewal. Non-STAR stations can test and certify vehicles that were not directed to a STAR station.

Test-Only stations are licensed by the state to perform smog tests only — they are not allowed to perform repairs at the station. Gross Polluters can also be certified at these stations.

Test-only stations used to charge more to cover their costs, but competition has brought prices down. With our coupon, a smog check is $39.75 plus the electronic certificate fee for 2000 and newer vehicles — call (661) 538-9135 for other vehicles.

Follow the regular maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual and don’t tamper with emissions control equipment. A good 15-minute drive before your test also helps warm up all emission-related components.

We’ll explain why your vehicle failed and give you suggestions on what to do next. Your vehicle will need repairs so it can pass a retest and complete registration.

Some vehicles that fail their smog inspection give off very high levels of pollution, so the state created the “Gross Polluter” category. BAR identifies these vehicles to encourage immediate repair.

CAP is a state program run by the Bureau of Automotive Repair. Income-eligible drivers whose vehicles fail a biennial smog check may get help paying for emissions-related repairs, or may choose to retire the vehicle for a payment. As of January 2025, repair assistance is up to $1,450 for income-eligible owners of 1996 and newer vehicles (up to $1,100 for 1995 and older), and vehicle retirement pays up to $2,000 for income-eligible consumers or $1,350 for others. Amounts can change — check bar.ca.gov for current details.

CAP offers two options — repair assistance and vehicle retirement — for consumers whose vehicles fail their biennial smog check. Eligibility and the application are on the BAR website: bar.ca.gov.