Smog Check Program

This page last reviewed March 25, 2008.

The Smog Check Program is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), which is a part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.  The Air Resources Board (ARB), by contrast, is a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

For information about your vehicle and the Smog Check Program, please visit the BAR website, or contact them toll-free at (800) 952-5210. 


Remote Sensing Pilot Study 

The reports for the study initiated by ARB and BAR have been finalized and are available below.

Evaluation of Remote Sensing for Improving California's Smog Check Program, March 3, 2008 (Final Report)  
(PDF -- 1 MB)

Review of Literature on Remote Sensing Devices, August 26, 2004 (Paper Study)
(PDF)


Estimating Benefits of Improvement Strategies (including RSD) for the California I/M Program:
An Inspection and Emissions Forecasting System, March 1, 2008 (Modeling Report)
 
(PDF -- 10 MB)

Estimating Benefits and Costs of Improvement Strategies for the California I/M Program:
Implementation Options for Using RSD, March 2, 2008 (Implementation Report)
 
(PDF)

Use of California Remote Sensing Pilot Project Data for On-road Fleet and Emissions Characterization,
and Evaluation of the Enhanced Smog Check Program
, October 2005
(PDF -- 6 MB) 

Response to Peer Review Comments, March 7, 2008 
(PDF)



Smog Check Documents

Environmental Impacts of Implementing a Low Pressure Evaporative Test
in the California Smog Check Program

(PDF)

Control Concept Evaluation - Four-Wheel Dynamometer Requirements As Part of Smog Check
South Coast Air Basin

(PDF)


2004 Smog Check Program Evaluation

ARB and BAR have finalized a report to the Legislature and the Inspection and Maintenance Review Committee (IMRC),
Evaluation of the California Enhanced Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (Smog Check) Program (April 2004), as required under State law.  The transmittal letter to the IMRC is also available for review.

Final Report  (PDF)
Transmittal Letter to the IMRC  (PDF)

The methodologies and calculations used to estimate the emissions benefits in the
Evaluation of the California Enhanced Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance (Smog Check) Program (April 2004) are explained in a technical support document.  The transmittal letter to the IMRC is also available for review.

Cover Page and Introductory Comments  (PDF)
Part 1 -- Analyses Conducted by ARB Staff  (PDF)
Part 2 -- Further Analyses Conducted by Sierra Research  (PDF)
Transmittal Letter to the IMRC  (PDF)


2000 Report on Smog Check

ARB, in consultation with BAR, finalized a report on the effectiveness of Smog Check entitled Evaluation of California's Enhanced Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Program (Smog Check II).  To view this report, please click here.

ARB has other programs to control emissions from motor vehicles.  If you would like to find out more about these, please click
here.


Program Contact

If you have any questions regarding the air quality elements of the Smog Check Program, please contact:

Tom Scheffelin
Motor Vehicle Assessments Section
Planning and Technical Support Division
Air Resources Board
P.O. Box 2815
Sacramento, CA 95812
(916) 327-7847
tscheffe@arb.ca.gov

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