Sacramento Smog Check
The DMV list of counties requiring a smog inspection at renewal includes Sacramento County, so cars in Sacramento are checked every other year. Every station charges its own rate, and the $8.25 certificate fee is added on top.
- Once every 2 years
- In Sacramento County: Smog Check at renewal
- Sacramento County
- Listed by DMV as a smog county
- Price + $8.25
- The shop's price plus the certificate fee
- Two
- In Sacramento, the BAR locator lists State of CA Referee centers.
Sacramento smog check requirements
DMV names Sacramento County. When you renew, BAR sets checks for every other year. If your check is due, your notice will show "Smog Certification Required". Newer gas and hybrid cars are exempt for their first eight model years. See the California Smog Check page for statewide details.
Selling a car or buying one in Sacramento
- Seller: you need a Smog Check before the sale.
- Private-party buyer: the vehicle must have passed in the last 90 days.
- Dealership buyer: the car needs to have passed during the past two years.
A car from another state needs a check when you register it in California for the first time.
Sacramento smog check cost
Inspection prices vary by station, and BAR does not regulate them. The certificate fee stays fixed at $8.25. You should expect to spend about 30 minutes in the shop.
Where to find smog checks and Referee centers in Sacramento
Look up stations on the BAR Auto Shop Locator. The STAR page explains STAR stations. Two State of CA centers appear here when you use the Referee filter:
| Address | Phone |
|---|---|
| 1701 Del Paso Blvd | (916) 705-6050 |
| 8401 Center Parkway | (916) 682-9693 |
For Sacramento County, BAR's CAP page links to a Clean Cars 4 All program. Fresno and Oakland are nearby. For more details, see the emissions test by city list.
Sacramento smog check questions
Do cars in Sacramento need a smog check every year?
No. It's every other year at renewal, and only if your notice says so.
What happens if my Sacramento car fails?
Fix it, then take another test. If costs rise, read about how the emissions waiver works.