jmzvet

I was driving near Balboa Park and saw a roadside smog check set up. I stopped and watched for a while and then I walked over and talked to the CHP guy and the techs running the thing. The mobile equipment they use is basically the same stuff you'd see in a smog shop. The cars are flagged over at random by the officer and then the computer randomly picks 1 out of 20 out of the one out of about 10 the officer flags in. The tech explains to the driver that the test is 100% OPTIONAL . The tech also explains that the info gathered from your car is purely for data gathering and you will not be cited or face any consequences at all if you decide not to subject your car to testing or your car fails the smog check. The tech told me the Bureau of Auto Repair has been running these mobile checks for over 20 years and they use the info to determine how long new cars can go without getting smog checks. I think it's 9 years now? Evidently most of the cars they check, pass the smog check.

fixvet

Thanks Jim!

Threed

Atta Boy Jim. Good detective work.

Rag-Top Rick

Good information, Jim!

I just wish they would start applying/extending the smog check intervals on slightly older cars, every 2 years is waaay overkill and a waste of time and money!

X-ZZ4

Yeah sure Jim.....I'll bet flashing your badge didn't hurt either....

The rest of us would be jailed on the spot!

Dave68

Okay, with all your smog-belching mods, why didn't you ask them to test your C5? It would've been very informative for the other illegals to know for sure how high those Hydrocarbs have risen.

Still, that's good info. Does anyone know if the lengthening of the first smog check date affects cars like my 01? I still don't know when the first check will be.

X-ZZ4

Looks like you get to get in on the party next year.....

Legislation enacted during 2004 made several changes in motor vehicle Smog Check exemptions that will become effective next year. Following is a summary of the revised exemptions and the effective date of each change:

Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 6 or less model-years old are exempt from the biennial Smog Check inspection requirement. For vehicles with registration renewals due in the 2006 calendar year, this exemption includes model-years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Beginning January 1, 2005, vehicles 4 or less model-years old are exempt from the Smog Check inspection requirement upon change of ownership and transfer of title transactions with DMV. In 2006, this exemption includes model-years 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Beginning April 1, 2005, the 30-year rolling exemption has been repealed. Instead, vehicles 1975 model-year and older will be exempt. Therefore, 1976 model-year and newer vehicles will continue to be subject to biennial inspection indefinitely.

Beginning April 1, 2005, vehicles being initially registered in California that were previously registered in another state are exempt if the vehicle is a 1975 and older model-year vehicle. Newer vehicles, the first 6 model years, are not exempted upon initial registration in California. These vehicles are required to undergo a Smog Check Inspection


http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/StdPage....ck/doineed.htm

Dave68

Ahhh - thanks! Good info for the 2003+ people. I'll be ready for next years shellacking.