Paid Registration But Can't Afford To Get Smog Check

Unfortunately, and for the most part, if a smog check is required, it must be obtained prior to the DMV issuing new registration, but...

There may be assistance available to you which will allow you to renew your vehicle's registration without a smog check. You mention possibly not being eligible for assistance, but we want to let you know about the "Economic Hardship Extension or Repair Cost Waiver". It does require jumping through a few hoops, including having already spent money on repairs, but it may allow you to renew your registration without a passing smog check. We'll explain below, plus you can find more information at Repair Cost Waiver.

The repair cost waiver will allow you to renew your registration without a smog certificate, giving you additional time to complete necessary smog repairs, up to two years, until the DMV requires the vehicle's next biennial smog check.

The Repair Cost Waiver program requirements are as follows:

• Your vehicle must require a biennial smog check (for the purpose of registration renewal).
• Your vehicle must have failed the smog test at a licensed California smog test facility. You will be required to present proof in the form of a failed Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR).
• You must spend at least $650.00 on emission related repairs at a licensed California smog check repair station. The $650.00 can be a combination of repairs and diagnostics, excluding the cost of the actual smog inspection, unless the vehicle required a STAR smog check. On a side note, if you applied for and were accepted into the CAP Smog Repair Program, the monies spent through the CAP repair program may be applied toward the Repair Cost Waiver.
• Obtain a final smog inspection to show the state that your vehicle will still not pass the smog check. In essence, prove you've exhausted all efforts to get your vehicle to pass the smog check, but due to financial constraints, you are no longer able to spend money to perform necessary repairs.
• Make an appointment at a Smog Check Referee station. Call 1-800-622-7733 to schedule an appointment. Bring with you your failed smog check documents (Vehicle Inspection Reports and Repair Invoices) and all receipts for money spent on repairs and diagnostics from a licensed smog repair station.

If you meet the requirements, you will be granted a repair cost waiver which will allow you to renew your vehicle's registration without a passing smog test. The smog referee will manually enter your vehicle's smog check status as "passed" on DMV smog records. The repair cost waiver will be issued only one time. Your vehicle must be able to pass the smog check when the next smog check is due.

CAP Smog Check Repair Assistance: Prior to applying for a smog waiver, the state smog check referee may require that you apply for the CAP Repair Program first (if funds are available at the time of your filing).

If you haven't already done so, you may want to apply for this program now. Click Here to download a CAP application which will provide up to $500.00 in free smog check repair assistance from the state. Once approved, and your vehicle repaired with unsuccessful results, you may then request a Repair Cost Waiver.

Reasons you may be ineligible for a Repair Cost Waiver

• Your vehicle has received a Repair Cost Waiver in the past (waivers are limited to one per vehicle, per registered owner).
• Your vehicle failed the smog inspection due to missing, modified, or disconnected emissions components.
• Your vehicle is undergoing a change of ownership (title transfer) or is being registered in California for the first time, or being brought back to California from out-of-state.

Related Material

Online CA DMV Vehicle Registration Renewal
How To File an Out of State Smog Check Exemption