Vehicle Registration Q & A - Pg 1
Question: I have plans to purchase
a 2008 Chevrolet HHR that is in Kentucky and need to know if
the following statement on the smog info label under the hood
is all I need to know if the vehicle is ok to register in CA,
assuming it passes the smog
test. Here is the label
info:This vehicle conforms to the U.S. EPA
regulations applicable to news cars and California regulations
applicable to new ULEV2 passenger cars. OBDII
certified.
Answer: You will not have a problem
registering this vehicle is California. According to the
emission label information you've provided, it is California
Emissions Certified.
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Question
(a): I am writting this e-mail on behalf of my
grandma. Looks like she is eligible for
registration
without a SMOG
certificate. We filed paper work to apply for the program. The
registration is due mid
September and it's
already August 31, is there a way to get temporary
registration without SMOG until
DMV processes her paperwork? She owns a Ford Crown
Victoria.
Question
(b):
My car (1996 Honda Civic)
has a check engine light on. I've been told that the wires
to
the crank shaft have
been severed (don't ask what that means or how it happened).
It needs repair but I
can't afford it right
now. It is past due for registration. I don't qualify for CAP.
Can I get an extension on my registration so that I won't get
a ticket?
Answer:
Here's what you
can do. Go ahead and pay the registration fees and
get your "half way papers"
(Not valid
registration, but an attempt to show responsibility plus not
be charged late fees). You may then
explain to the DMV
agent your vehicle's repair situation and ask for at least a
30 day Temporary Registration
Tag. You can post this
on your vehicle's rear window, and drive your vehicle legally
for 30 days or more,
depending on the
Temporary Tags you are given.
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Question:
I was able to talk briefly
with a DMV employee on Monday and discovered that our smog
check
was due on 8/20 and not 8/31. My Audi
passed the smog test today, but we're having a tune-up and
the
car won't be ready until tomorrow because
we're waiting for a part to arrive. Should I call DMV
again
tomorrow to find out how much the new fee
(with penalties) will be? I believe the DMV employee
said
I can receive new tags when I take the fee
into our local DMV office -- is that your understanding,
too?
Answer:
This is true, the smog test results were electronically sent to the
DMV and you can receive
your tags directly from the DMV agent should
you choose to walk in to a local branch and pay the
renewal
fees. Just to be safe, take a copy of the
Passing Smog Check repaort with you to the office.
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Question: We've misplaced the smog
check form we received in the mail for our Dodge
Charger. Is
there a
website where I can print out a new one to take to the smog
check facility?
Answer:
No need to worry. The smog station you visit
can inspect your vehicle without the Smog Check Requirement
Form or registration renewal. The smog technician inspecting your vehicle can enter
your
car's VIN number into the smog machine, and
the machine will pull the required information from the DMV's
computer and allow him/her to perform the smog inspection.
Once the inspection is complete, the smog
machine will automatically send the results to
the DMV. You will not need to send in the smog
certificate.
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Question:
My 92
Chevy pickup is required to have smog test at test only station it failed, based
on NOX,
it is not a gross polluter I then took it to
another shop that did repairs (EGR valve) and it passes
but
computer from State says it has to go back to
test only station to be certified. it cannot be
certified
by the repair shop. Is this true? if so,
please register this complaint to the DMV. This is
rediculous. talk
about an inefficient system that bilks
precious time and money from California residents.....Im
all for
clean air, but lets figure out a way to do
this at less hassle and cost to us, the vehicle owners.
Answer:
Yes,
this is true. A vehicle which is required
to be tested and certified at a Test-Only
center
can only be certified at a test-Only center.
If the vehicle fails at the test Only center it must visit a
Test and repair center for repairs and then
return to the test only center for inspection and
certification.
Why do we have two station types? California
is continuously improving the smog check program. So
far this method of process has proved positive
in terms of air quality. State research has shown Test
Only stations to provide a MORE accurate smog
test then their counterparts. For this reason, vehicles
with high emission failure rates are directed
to Test Only Centers.
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Question: I
now live
in Pasadena but my 2000 Toyota Camry currently has Texas plate. I
assume I need a
smog inspection before I can register my car
here. Which station may I take my car to (i.e. Test &
Repair ,Test-Only or CAP Station)?
Answer:
Your vehicle should only
require a regular smog check, which means, any
smogcheck
station will do. Shop for the best price.
Although to make certain I recommend you contact the DMV
at (800) 777-0133. They will be able to look
up your vehicle's plate number and ensure there aren't
any special requirements for your
vehicle.
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Question: I need to renew my registration on
my Ford mini van I have a disabled placker, my service engine
soon lite is on and my mobile mechanic said it
wont pass smog, until i get something having to do with
the air conditioning emmisions fixed?! i am on
ssi/ssd and i need to know how to apply for an extension
for my registration renewal, (one of those red
stickers that go in the back window" until I can find out
what
and how much the problem is.. how can i do
that? or apply online for th at?
Answer:
You have to visit
the Department of Motor Vehicles. Here's what you can do. Go
ahead and
pay the registration fees and get your "half
way papers" (ot valid registration, but an attempt to
show
responsibility plus not be charged late fees).
You may then explain to the DMV agent your vehicle's
repair situation and ask for at least a 30 day
Temporary Registration Tag. You can post this on your
vehicle's rear window, and drive your vehicle
legally for 30 days or more, depending on the Temporary
Tags you are given. Call the DMV at (800)
952-5210. They might be able to help you.
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Question (a):
Hello Im a new resident
to Campo ca. 91906 and my smog test is coming
up in Nov.
my neighbor said i wouldn't have to smog my
1993 Toyota pick up truck because campo is smog exempt.
Is this true?
Question (b): I live in Penn
Valley, Nevada County and own
an 1998 Acura. Does it make any difference if I
have the smog test done in Sacramento?
Answer:
Vehicles in all cities in California need smog
inspections, however certain counties only require
the Basic Smog Test as opposed to the Enhanced
Smog Test, and the third of counties with the cleanest
air quality require an inspection only when a
vehicle is bought or sold. The main difference between
the
Basic and Enhanced test is that the basic test
does not require the vehicle to be driven on a
dynamometer
during the test. Where as the Enhanced version
does. Keep this in mind also, a smog station which can
perform the Enhanced Test, can automatically
perform the Basic Test also. Currently there is also a
third
type of smog inspection being required for
vehicle's which are labeled as GP's or Gross Polluters,
which
is called the "Test-Only" inspection. This
inspection is always the "Enhanced Smog Test" and the
station
which conducts the test is not allowed to
repair vehicles.