San Jose Smog Check
Located in Santa Clara County, San Jose falls under DMV’s requirement for a smog inspection at registration renewal, so cars there are checked every other year. Each station sets its own price, then adds the $8.25 certificate fee.
- 2 years between checks
- A Smog Check for San Jose registration renewal
- Santa Clara County
- Listed among DMV smog counties
- Price plus $8.25
- The shop's price plus the certificate fee
- Yerba Buena Road
- BAR locator address for the Referee center in San Jose
San Jose smog check rules
Because DMV lists Santa Clara County, drivers in San Jose complete a smog inspection every other year at renewal, a rule that BAR confirms. Gas and hybrid cars are exempt from the renewal check during the eight most recent model years. Diesels, older cars and the rest are covered by the statewide California page.
Get your car ready for a San Jose smog check
- Repair a lit check engine light before the test; the car can't pass while it's on.
- If your battery was disconnected or replaced, drive for one or two weeks so the monitors reset.
- If you have your DMV renewal notice, bring it.
Our guides cover monitors not ready, plus the check engine light, in more depth.
San Jose smog check cost and stations
Each station sets its own price because BAR doesn't regulate them, and the certificate fee is $8.25. Use the BAR Auto Shop Locator to find shops. If your notice points you to a STAR station, read the STAR page.
Referee center in San Jose
At 3095 Yerba Buena Road, (800) 622-7733, the locator shows a State of CA Smog Check Referee center. San Jose has its own. Livermore is the next closest. These pages are nearby: San Francisco, Oakland. Every city appears on the city emissions test list.
San Jose smog check questions
Do I need a smog check in San Jose?
Yes, if your DMV renewal notice requests one. The DMV’s county list includes Santa Clara County.
Can I use any shop in San Jose?
Choose a licensed Smog Check station. With a STAR notice, you must use a STAR station.