For Californians, getting a smog check is simply a typical part of the process when one has to register a car, truck or other motor vehicle. While many Californians no doubt wish they could avoid this process, the smog check has helped make our state's air safer and cleaner.
As the number of vehicles began to climb, the amount of smog in California also begin to increase. In 1959, the state of California passed legislation that required the Department of Public Health to set up air quality standards and also find ways to control the amount of vehicle emissions. This was followed the Federal Clean Air Act of 1963, which provided grants to help local and state pollution control districts fight air pollution. From that moment on, the state of California studied ways to reduce emission from vehicles and created strict requirements for new vehicles sold in California. In 1984, the state enacted a Smog Check Program to ensure that vehicles were not emitting an excess of toxins.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, California's smog problem was a serious health threat caused by an ever-increasing population and more vehicles on the road. The smog check has greatly reduced this problem. For instance, the SCAQMD reported 118 Stage 1 Smog Alerts in 1975. After just a year of requiring smog checks, the number dropped to 83 Stage 1 days. The combination of smog checks and requiring better emission controls on new vehicles produced some excellent results.
There are more than 35 counties in the state of California that require smog or emission checks when you register a vehicle. This includes Alameda County and, of course, in the city of Berkeley. In Berkeley, most vehicles will need a smog check every other year in order to complete registration.
There are some exceptions to this rule. Vehicles that are less than six years old are typically exempt from smog check requirements. In addition, motorcycles, trailers and hybrid or electric vehicles are exempt from smog checks. Gasoline-powered vehicles built in 1975 or prior to that year also are not required to have smog checks. Diesel powered vehicles built prior to 1999 also are exempt if they have a gross vehicle weight rating higher than 14,000 pounds. Also, any vehicle greater than 14,000 pounds that is powered by natural gas also is exempt.
If you need a smog check in Berkeley, find a Berkeley smog check facility that offers both walk-ins as well as appointments. That way you can truly fit the test into your schedule. Some centers offer online booking discounts, so that can be a way to save some money. It is best to budget an hour of your time for a smog check, although smog checks often only take 15 or 20 minutes. The length of time really depends upon factors such as the year your car was built and the make or model.
As the number of vehicles began to climb, the amount of smog in California also begin to increase. In 1959, the state of California passed legislation that required the Department of Public Health to set up air quality standards and also find ways to control the amount of vehicle emissions. This was followed the Federal Clean Air Act of 1963, which provided grants to help local and state pollution control districts fight air pollution. From that moment on, the state of California studied ways to reduce emission from vehicles and created strict requirements for new vehicles sold in California. In 1984, the state enacted a Smog Check Program to ensure that vehicles were not emitting an excess of toxins.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, California's smog problem was a serious health threat caused by an ever-increasing population and more vehicles on the road. The smog check has greatly reduced this problem. For instance, the SCAQMD reported 118 Stage 1 Smog Alerts in 1975. After just a year of requiring smog checks, the number dropped to 83 Stage 1 days. The combination of smog checks and requiring better emission controls on new vehicles produced some excellent results.
There are more than 35 counties in the state of California that require smog or emission checks when you register a vehicle. This includes Alameda County and, of course, in the city of Berkeley. In Berkeley, most vehicles will need a smog check every other year in order to complete registration.
There are some exceptions to this rule. Vehicles that are less than six years old are typically exempt from smog check requirements. In addition, motorcycles, trailers and hybrid or electric vehicles are exempt from smog checks. Gasoline-powered vehicles built in 1975 or prior to that year also are not required to have smog checks. Diesel powered vehicles built prior to 1999 also are exempt if they have a gross vehicle weight rating higher than 14,000 pounds. Also, any vehicle greater than 14,000 pounds that is powered by natural gas also is exempt.
If you need a smog check in Berkeley, find a Berkeley smog check facility that offers both walk-ins as well as appointments. That way you can truly fit the test into your schedule. Some centers offer online booking discounts, so that can be a way to save some money. It is best to budget an hour of your time for a smog check, although smog checks often only take 15 or 20 minutes. The length of time really depends upon factors such as the year your car was built and the make or model.
About the Author:
Nolan Tornes likes blogging and sharing tips on auto maintenance. For further info about smog test Berkeley centers or to find out more about car smog Berkeley centers, please check out the Berkeley-Smog.com website today.
