Moving to California: Smog Check and Registering an Out-of-State Car
To register a car from another state in California, you generally need a passing California smog check, a VIN verification and your out-of-state title and registration. Out-of-state emissions tests do not count. New residents are expected to register their vehicles within 20 days of becoming a resident. Electric vehicles, motorcycles and gasoline cars from 1975 or earlier skip the smog check.
Checklist for new residents
| Item | Where to get it |
|---|---|
| California smog certificate | Any licensed smog check station (STAR not required unless the DMV says so) |
| VIN verification | DMV, CHP or a licensed vehicle verifier |
| Out-of-state title and registration | Your previous state; if a lender holds the title, the DMV can request it |
| Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) | DMV office or dmv.ca.gov |
| Registration fees and use tax if applicable | Paid at the DMV |
Order that saves a trip
- 1. Smog check first. The station sends the result to the DMV electronically.
- 2. VIN verification. Can be done at the DMV on the same visit.
- 3. DMV appointment with your title, ID and REG 343.
Find a smog station
- Smog check in San Jose — 2 listings
- Smog check in Anaheim — 1 listing
- Smog check in Los Angeles — 1 listing
- Smog check in Sacramento — 1 listing
- Smog check in San Diego — 1 listing
- Smog check in San Francisco — 1 listing
- Smog check in Santa Clara — 1 listing
- Smog check in Sunnyvale — 1 listing
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a smog check for a new car brought from another state?
Usually yes for the first California registration, even if the car is new enough to be exempt from the biennial check later. Check the current DMV rules for very new vehicles.
Where can I get a VIN verification?
At a DMV office, from the California Highway Patrol, or from a licensed private vehicle verifier. Some smog check stations offer it as well.
What if my car is not certified for California emissions?
Look at the emissions label under the hood. A vehicle certified only to federal (49-state) standards may not be eligible for California registration. Ask the DMV before you buy or ship a car.
How much does a smog check cost in California?
Each station sets its own test price. Listed prices on AppointAuto are $49.75 for a regular smog check and $59.75 for a STAR smog check. California also charges an $8.25 state certificate fee for every vehicle that passes; ask the station whether its price already includes it.
Related guides
- Which Cars Are Exempt From the California Smog Check? (2026) — The 8-model-year rule, electric vehicles, motorcycles, pre-1976 cars, diesels and the smog abatement fee: who needs a smog check in California and who does not.
- What to Bring to a Smog Check (and What Happens During the Test) — You only need the car and ideally your DMV renewal notice. What the technician checks, how long it takes, and how the certificate reaches the DMV.
- STAR vs Regular Smog Check: Which One Do You Need? — Your DMV renewal notice tells you whether you need a STAR station. What STAR means, why cars get selected, and how to find a STAR station near you.