This page last reviewed January 14, 2009

Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement (VAVR) Program

Background

The voluntary accelerated vehicle retirement (VAVR) program, also known as a car scrappage or old vehicle buy back program, provides monetary or other incentives to vehicle owners to voluntarily retire their older, more polluting vehicle. A primary goal of the VAVR program is to encourage a more timely removal of older, more polluting vehicles from California roadways to be replaced with newer, cleaner vehicles or alternative transportation options.

Changes in state law allow the use of air district motor vehicle funds to be used for light-duty vehicle programs such as VAVR. VAVR programs are optional for local air districts that may choose to administer them. Therefore, not all local air districts administer VAVR programs. Many VAVR programs are funded through the Carl Moyer Program as defined in the Carl Moyer Program Guidelines.   The ARB adopted revisions to the VAVR regulation on December 7, 2006, that incorporate the use of remote sensing devises (RSD) and other technologies to identify high emitting vehicles as possible candidates for voluntary retirement to generate extra emission reductions.  Exhaust and evaporative emission reductions for district VAVR programs are available for model years 2007 and 2008.  Emission reduction credits for oxides of nitrogen, reactive organic gas, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter can be found at model year 2007-2008 benefits.

VAVR Task Force The ARB and the Bureau of Automotive Repair have organized a task force to share and discuss technical information about existing and proposed VAVR programs around the State.  The intent of the task force is to assist the members in their efforts to develop robust and transparent vehicle scrappage programs.

• The task force held its second meeting Friday, May 23, 2008.
  • Workshop notice
  • Meeting Agenda 

Frequently \ Asked Questions

District VAVR Program Information

If your vehicle has PASSED its most recent Smog Check, or if your vehicle is not subject to Smog Check, you may be eligible for a local air district VAVR program. NOTE: Not all local air districts administer VAVR programs.  If your vehicle PASSED the most recent Smog Check, visit http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/avrp/avrpeo.htm for more information.
 
Bureau of Automotive Repair Buyback \ Information

If your vehicle has FAILED its most recently required Smog Check your vehicle may be eligible for the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) vehicle retirement program. For more information on BAR's Consumer Assistance Program check BAR's web page or call 1-800-952-5210. If your vehicle FAILED the most recent Smog Check, visit BAR's Consumer Assistance Fact Sheet for more information.

ARB Contact Information

The State of California and the Air Resources Board (ARB) do not administer VAVR programs. The ARB is responsible for developing the regulations that provide guidelines to local air districts that optionally choose to administer VAVR programs. If you would like further information about the VAVR regulation but not about vehicle eligibility, contact Tom Evashenk at (916) 445-8811. To determine whether or not your vehicle is eligible for a VAVR program, see District VAVR Program Information above. 2004 Report to the Legislature on Vehicle Retirement

• Link to the Report to the California Legislature: Accelerated Light-Duty Vehicle Retirement Program, July 2004 (PDF - 66K)

Regulatory Documents (2006 VAVR Regulation Update)

• Link to the Formal Regulatory Documents
• Notice of March 20, 2006, Workshop (Word - 61K) (PDF - 22K)
• March 20, 2006, Staff Presentation
• Notice of June 29, 2006, Workshop (PDF - 20K)
• June 29, 2006, Staff Presentation
• June 29, 2006, Handouts (Word - 120K) (PDF - 61K)
• Notice of August 31, 2006, Workshop (Word - 57K) (PDF - 20K)
• August 31, 2006, Staff Presentation
• August 31, 2006, Draft Regulatory Language

Regulatory Documents (2002 VAVR Regulation Update)

• Link to the Formal Regulatory Documents
• Proposed Amendments to Air Resources Board Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Regulations  (Word - 235K) or  (PDF - 163K)

Regulatory Documents (1998 VAVR Regulation)

• Link to the Formal Regulatory Documents
• Notice of March 7, 1997 Workshop Concerning Development of Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle  Retirement Program Regulations ( Word - 249K) or (PDF - 224K)
• Notice of Workshop (dated August 15, 1996) Concerning Development of Voluntary Light-Duty  Vehicle Accelerated Retirement Program Regulations (ASCII - 19K)
• Notice of Workshop (dated March 7, 1996) Concerning Development of Voluntary Light-Duty  Vehicle Accelerated Retirement Program Regulations (ASCII - 6K)
• Notice of Workshop and the Bill Text for SB 501 Chaptered 10/16/95 (Word - 132K)