What is a smog abatement fee? California requires every vehicle to get a certification that the vehicle’s emissions meet the state’s pollution standards. The abatement fee will allow you to skip getting these certifications. There have been some changes in this program effective January of 2019. Here are what the new rules are for abatements.
What Is a Smog Abatement Fee
The smog abatement fee is $25 generally, with some exceptions. However, some vehicle owners are exempt from paying this fee.
Here are the new rules effective January 1, 2019:
- Vehicles that are 8 years old or less (using the model year) are exempt from biennial smog certification.
- 7 and 8-year-old vehicles must pay an annual $25 abatement fee.
- A 7-year-old vehicle (as of the date of this writing, it is the 2012 model) is exempt from paying the smog abatement fee if they obtained a smog certification in 2018.
- To determine what you need to pay under these new rules, subtract 7 years from the current year to figure out the oldest car that needs to pay the $25 smog abatement fee. A 6 year old car also pays the $25 fee.
- To determine which cars need to pay the $20 smog abatement fee, subtract 5 years from the current year. Those models and all younger models up until new cars will pay the $20 fee instead of the $25 fee.
Additional Exemptions
Additionally, cars with the model year of 1975 or earlier and are gasoline powered are exempt from having to get a smog certification. Diesel powered vehicles are exempt from model year 1997 and older.
Get More Information on Smog Abatement
There are many more details on the finer points of smog abatement fees and the rules. Take a look at the page for smog abatement fees and you’ll find the answers to all of your questions there.
The smog abatement is an excellent program. What do one has to do to apply for the abatement? I can’t find any info to tell you what to do to claim the $20.00.
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There is a link you need to click in the last sentence of the above blog post. It’ll take you to the smog abatement page that has all the information on what you need to do to receive the smog abatement.
-Admin
that link does not work….
? I have a 2020 honda- WHHHHYYYYYYYYY DO U NEED MORE MONEY?!!!!! Isn’t $300 enough for you money hungry Californians
You are so right Angie. This is absolutely true. These people are out of sanity. What else needs to be taxed more? Unbelievable. What a sneaky BS this is. I’m looking so forward to move out of this madness.
It is a $20, or $25, fee that you have to pay…. not money you receive unfortunately.
I just noticed a $25 smog abatement fee on my registration renewal which is why I looked this “fee” up online. I still don’t understand why I have to pay this fee, or what is purpose is.
In addition, I smogged my car last year.
I updated that link to the new pdf file they have that answers many questions, but it is just about as clear as mud. The abatement fee allows you to skip a year(s). At least that’s what it looks like to me. You should probably ask the DMV. Show up the Friday before a holiday and they’ll probably not be busy. 😀
Here’s the new link:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/18vin19-pdf/
Here’s more information that is a little easier to understand:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/smog-inspections/
The provided information doesn’t explain the existence of the fee.
Are PZEV(partial zero emission vehicle) required to pay full fee despite their PZEV status? IS it fair to argue that they are immune to full cost since they are not full emission vehicles?
Seriously! Who gets to randomly decide to add 20-25$ to your car registration?!? This makes me so mad! The registration fee is $147.00 then the ridiculous license fee , now this fee!
Stop the bleeding!!