Emission Condition

Thanks to the fractured individual policies and personal agendas of many state politicians, automotive emission regulations sadly do not comply throughout the country. In fact, it is California that essentially sets the standards—because it can. California has the most number of vehicles and, consequently, the highest amount of emissions and corresponding pollution levels. In the past, it was always the "other" 49 states and California. However, a number of states are now starting to either follow California's example, or chart a separate course, all typically in the name of controlling, or improving the environment. For the purposes of this article, we examined California's Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) regulations.

Verify the State's DMV Vehicle Registration Checklist
Part of the buyer beware/fear-of-purchasing behavioral condition for people wanting to bring in a vehicle from one state to another is the difference in state emission requirements. Some states have waived any smog check for vintage/classic/older vehicles, generally setting a specific cut-off year, while others utilize a rolling emission exclusion that expands each year. Still others have no such policy.


California, for example, set such a progressive law into action when it first waived smog checks for vehicles from 1973 and older, but it has repeatedly picked away at that legislation, first dropping the rolling waiver, settling at 1975 as the cut-off, and most recently passing pending legislation that will eliminate older vehicles' (1976-forward) biennial smog check, requiring an annual inspection. California does exempt diesel-powered vehicles, electric, and natural gas vehicles over 14,000 lbs, hybrids, motorcycles and trailers.


In addition, according to California's DMV, when a vehicle transfers into the state that is four or less model years old, a smog certification is not required. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner. Typically, for in-state sales, the seller is responsible for providing the smog certificate, but when the vehicle is brought into the state, it becomes the responsibility of the new owner to make sure the vehicle complies.


As a result, should a law-abiding citizen of one state wish to acquire a vehicle from another, there are a number of policies and procedures necessary in order to properly register, plate and insure said imported vehicle.