# Smog Check in Sacramento, CA

AppointAuto lists 1 smog check station in Sacramento, CA, and it is STAR-certified. Listed prices are $49.75 for a regular smog check and $59.75 for a STAR check, plus California's $8.25 certificate fee if the station does not include it. Call the shop to book; online booking opens as shops join AppointAuto.

## Smog check stations in Sacramento

### Capital STAR Smog & Diagnostics (STAR station)

2520 Fulton Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821

Phone: [(916) 488-8889](tel:+19164888889) · Listed hours: 08:00 AM – 05:30 PM

Services: Regular Smog Check (State Inspection), STAR Certified Smog Check

[Call (916) 488-8889](tel:+19164888889) · [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Capital+Star+Smog+2520+Fulton+Ave+Sacramento+CA)

## Smog check prices in Sacramento

| Service | Listed price | Typical time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Regular Smog Check (State Inspection) | $49.75 | 20 min |
| STAR Certified Smog Check | $59.75 | 25 min |

Add $8.25 for the California smog certificate if the station charges it separately. Final prices are set by each station.

## Before you go

- Bring your DMV renewal notice; it says whether you need a STAR station.
- Make sure the check engine light is off. A lit light is an automatic fail.
- Drive normally for a few days before the test. Do not disconnect the battery or clear trouble codes right before.
- Not sure which test you need? Read [STAR vs regular smog check](https://appointauto.com/guides/star-vs-regular-smog-check/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Where can I get a smog check in Sacramento?

Capital STAR Smog & Diagnostics (2520 Fulton Ave).

### 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.

### Do I need a STAR station?

Your DMV renewal notice tells you. If it says "Smog Certification Required at STAR Station", only a STAR-certified station can certify the car. If it does not mention STAR, any licensed smog check station can test it, and STAR stations can do regular checks too.

### How long does a smog check take?

Usually 20 to 30 minutes for a car built in 2000 or later, where the test reads the on-board diagnostics (OBD) system. Older vehicles get a tailpipe test that can take longer.

### How long is a smog certificate valid?

A passing smog certificate is valid for 90 days, so get the test within 90 days of your registration renewal or sale.

### Which vehicles are exempt from the California smog check?

Gasoline vehicles 8 model years old or newer skip the biennial smog check and pay a smog abatement fee instead. Electric vehicles, motorcycles and gasoline vehicles from 1975 or earlier are exempt. Diesel vehicles from 1998 or newer with a gross vehicle weight rating up to 14,000 lbs do need a smog check.

## Smog check near Sacramento

- [Smog check in San Francisco](https://appointauto.com/smog-check/san-francisco/) — 82 mi
- [Smog check in Santa Clara](https://appointauto.com/smog-check/santa-clara/) — 93 mi
- [Smog check in Sunnyvale](https://appointauto.com/smog-check/sunnyvale/) — 94 mi
- [Smog check in San Jose](https://appointauto.com/smog-check/san-jose/) — 95 mi

Verify any station's license and STAR status on the Bureau of Automotive Repair's official [bar.ca.gov](https://www.bar.ca.gov/) site.

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Source: https://appointauto.com/smog-check/sacramento/ · Last updated 2026-10-23. Station details are compiled from public listings and can change; call the shop to confirm hours and prices before you go.