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.
During the 1950s, California's population began to boom and with it, the number of cars began to climb. These cars had few checks to prevent excess emissions from entering the atmosphere and California's smog began to climb to dangerous levels. So by 1959, the state required its Department of Public Health to set up standards for air quality and to come up with methods that could reduce the amount of smog in the air. Just four years later, the U.S. Government enacted the Federal Clean Air Act, and this sent federal funds to both local and state air quality districts to help them reduce pollution. After many years of studies and improvements to automobiles, California took it a step further and began requiring smog checks in 1984.
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.
Of course, every law has its exception so there are some vehicle owners that do not need a smog check to register. For instance, if you have a car that is fairly new then your vehicle does not need a smog test. If you drive an electric vehicle or a hybrid, you are exempt. If you have a car that was built prior to 1976, you also receive an exemption for these vehicles. Motorcycles and trailers are exempt, as well. You also do not need a smog check if you have a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight that exceeds 14,000 pounds if it is diesel-powered and built prior to 1999 or it is a natural-gas vehicle.
When searching for a Berkeley smog test-only center, find one that offers either online or phone appointments as well as being able to just walk in. This provides you with ultimate flexibility. Generally, a smog check won't take more than 15-20 minutes; however, different models and types of vehicles can take longer than others simply because of the engine design.
During the 1950s, California's population began to boom and with it, the number of cars began to climb. These cars had few checks to prevent excess emissions from entering the atmosphere and California's smog began to climb to dangerous levels. So by 1959, the state required its Department of Public Health to set up standards for air quality and to come up with methods that could reduce the amount of smog in the air. Just four years later, the U.S. Government enacted the Federal Clean Air Act, and this sent federal funds to both local and state air quality districts to help them reduce pollution. After many years of studies and improvements to automobiles, California took it a step further and began requiring smog checks in 1984.
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.
Of course, every law has its exception so there are some vehicle owners that do not need a smog check to register. For instance, if you have a car that is fairly new then your vehicle does not need a smog test. If you drive an electric vehicle or a hybrid, you are exempt. If you have a car that was built prior to 1976, you also receive an exemption for these vehicles. Motorcycles and trailers are exempt, as well. You also do not need a smog check if you have a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight that exceeds 14,000 pounds if it is diesel-powered and built prior to 1999 or it is a natural-gas vehicle.
When searching for a Berkeley smog test-only center, find one that offers either online or phone appointments as well as being able to just walk in. This provides you with ultimate flexibility. Generally, a smog check won't take more than 15-20 minutes; however, different models and types of vehicles can take longer than others simply because of the engine design.
About the Author:
Nolan Tornes enjoys writing and sharing tips on auto maintenance. For additional information about smog test Berkeley centers or to find out more about car smog Berkeley centers, please go to the Berkeley-Smog.com site now.
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