What is a Smog Certificate?
Also known as Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR)
A smog check vehicle inspection report provides proof that you have gotten your vehicle's smog test done. In the event of a passing smog test, you are issued a smog certificate. Such smog certificate is valid for a period of 90 days and may be used in order to renew the vehicle registration or for selling the vehicle.
There are up to five (5) major sections to a VIR. We shall cover those with an example below:
There are up to five (5) major sections to a VIR. We shall cover those with an example below:
Smog Certificate(license plate & vin number redacted for privacy reasons)
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Section 1, Vehicle Information summarizes info about the vehicle being smogged e.g. year, make and model, engine type, etc.
Section 2, Test Results summarizes overall results whether pass or fail, smog certificate number in case of a passing smog.
Section 3, Emission Control Systems Results is truly a sub-section of Section 2. It summarizes results of Visual and Functional tests.
Section 4, ASM Test Results is also a sub-section to Section 2. It summarizes results of the tailpipe emissions test.
Section 5, Smog Check Inspection Station Information summarizes information of the smog shop where you got the test done, and also the smog inspector who performed the smog test.
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Other Examples Of Smog Check Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR)
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vir 1994 fail
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vir 1998 pass
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pre-test 1994 fail
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vir 2002 pass
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vir 2017 fail
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How much does a smog certificate cost?
Across the State of California; across every shop - the smog certificate costs $8.25 per certificate. This amount is charged by the State to every smog station, and is mandated by the State to be a pass-through charge to the consumer i.e. a smog station must not mark-up the certificate cost and is required to charge the consumer exactly $8.25.
Would you like to check your vehicle's smog check history but do not have the smog certificates handy?
All you need is your vehicle's license plate number or vin number. You can also lookup your smog certificate number below if you don't have it handy. Follow the link below:
Smog Certificate (Smog Check) History
You may also request the smog certificates at the smog inspection station that you did the smog test at. The smog stations are required by law to store the data for a period of three years.
Smog Certificate (Smog Check) History
You may also request the smog certificates at the smog inspection station that you did the smog test at. The smog stations are required by law to store the data for a period of three years.