Classic Car Smog Check in Los Angeles

🚙 CLASSICS

Pre-1976 vehicles are smog-exempt. 1976-1995 get tailpipe-only. We follow BAR pre-1996 protocol for classics + restored vehicles.

📞 Call (213) 302-2595

What to know — Classics smog rules in California

Are classic and vintage cars exempt from California smog? Vehicles manufactured before 1976 are fully exempt from California smog inspection. Vehicles from 1976 through 1995 receive a tailpipe gas analysis with visual inspection — no OBD scan. Vehicles from 1996 onward use the standard OBD-II protocol regardless of age.

Pre-1976 exemption is based on model year, not calendar age — a 1975 vehicle remains exempt permanently.
1976-1995 vehicles get a tailpipe sniff test (CO, HC, NOx limits) plus visual inspection of emission components — no OBD port was installed on these vehicles.
1996+ classic vehicles use standard OBD-II even if they are decades old — the port governs the protocol.
Modifications on any classic vehicle must have CARB Executive Order (EO) numbers to pass visual inspection.
BAR Referee program is available for vehicles with legitimate modifications that a standard station cannot certify.
Engine swaps on pre-1976 vehicles may trigger the requirement for a Referee inspection depending on the donor engine year.

Per CA Vehicle Code Section 4000.4 and BAR pre-OBD inspection protocol.

About Classic Car Smog Check at Los Angeles STAR Smog Check

Specialized classic car smog check performed at Los Angeles STAR Smog Check, our Los Angeles location.

Visit us for classic car smog check

Address: 1600 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Phone: (213) 302-2595
Website: https://www.smogcheckla.com/
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM – 6 PM · Sat 8 AM – 4 PM

What we do

California-required smog inspection
OBD-II readiness verification
Same-day electronic DMV certificate filing
Walk-ins welcome (no appointment needed)
Bilingual English / Spanish service

*Regenerated 2026-05-25 from GBP-verified canonical data.*

Frequently asked questions

Are pre-1976 cars exempt from smog?

Yes. Gasoline vehicles model year 1975 and older are exempt from California's smog check; diesel vehicles 1997 and older are exempt too. Gasoline: 1975 and older (model year) exempt. Diesel: 1997 and older exempt.

Do classic cars need a smog check in California?

Only if it is model year 1976 or newer (gasoline) or 1998 or newer (diesel) — older classics are exempt. 1975-and-older gasoline classics: exempt, no inspection at registration. 1976-and-newer classics: same biennial smog check as any car.

Does a 1976-1995 car still need smog?

Yes — tailpipe-only inspection (no OBD). Pre-OBD vehicles get tailpipe sniff. Visual inspection of all emission components.

What is a smog check?

State-required emissions inspection. Checks tailpipe and OBD systems. Biennial for 8-plus year vehicles.

How much does a smog check cost in California?

Typical range $30-$90. $8.25 certificate fee separate. Diesel/hybrid often higher.

Visit LA STAR Smog

Address

1600 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Phone

(213) 302-2595

Hours

Mon-Fri 8 AM – 6 PM, Sat 8 AM – 4 PM

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Other vehicle categories

All vehicle types serviced at LA STAR Smog.

Areas we serve

168 named places within about 8 miles of this station, nearest first. Click one for the distance and directions.

Neighborhoods

Nearby cities

Vernon East Los Angeles Beverly Hills Huntington Park West Hollywood Maywood Commerce Inglewood Glendale Culver City

Also serving: Alvarado Terrace Historic District (Los Angeles), Saint James Park (Los Angeles), Adams-Normandie (Los Angeles), Jewelry District (Los Angeles), Jefferson (Los Angeles), Old Bank District (Los Angeles), Gallery Row (Los Angeles), Angelus Vista (Los Angeles), Arlington Heights (Los Angeles), Toy District (Los Angeles), Skid Row (Los Angeles), West Adams Terrace (Los Angeles), Angeleno Heights (Los Angeles), Civic Center (Los Angeles), Los Angeles, Wilshire Park (Los Angeles), Pueblo de Los Ángeles (Los Angeles), Wilton Historic District (Los Angeles), New Chinatown (Los Angeles), Victoria Park (Los Angeles), Windsor Square (Los Angeles), Bicycle District (Los Angeles), Naud Junction (Los Angeles), Nevin (Los Angeles), Lafayette Square (Los Angeles), Virgil Village (Los Angeles), Wellington Square (Los Angeles), Vermont Square (Los Angeles), Dogtown (Los Angeles), Melrose (Los Angeles), Sunset Junction (Los Angeles), Larchmont (Los Angeles), View Park-Windsor Hills, Mid-City Heights (Los Angeles), Mid-Wilshire (Los Angeles), Central-Alameda (Los Angeles), Crenshaw (Los Angeles), Elysian Heights (Los Angeles), Vermont-Slauson (Los Angeles), Wildasin (Los Angeles), Angeles Mesa (Los Angeles), Cloverdale-Cochran (Los Angeles), Alsace (Los Angeles), Chesterfield Square (Los Angeles), Crenshaw Manor (Los Angeles), Leimert Park Village (Los Angeles), Silver Lake Heights (Los Angeles), Thai Town (Los Angeles), Elysian Valley (Los Angeles), Franklin Hills (Los Angeles), Dayton Avenue (Los Angeles), Park La Brea (Los Angeles), Harvard Park (Los Angeles), Wilshire Vista (Los Angeles), Cypress Park (Los Angeles), Van Ness (Los Angeles), Little Ethiopia (Los Angeles), Village Green (Los Angeles), Picfair Village (Los Angeles), Manchester Square (Los Angeles), Carthay (Los Angeles), Windsor Hills (Los Angeles), Vermont Knolls (Los Angeles), Fairfax District (Los Angeles), Sentous (Los Angeles), South Carthay (Los Angeles), Hyde Park (Los Angeles), Baldwin Vista (Los Angeles), Whitley Heights Historic District (Los Angeles), Whitley Heights (Los Angeles), Hollywood Dell (Los Angeles), Mount Washington (Los Angeles), Crestview (Los Angeles), Rose Hill (Los Angeles), Montecito Heights (Los Angeles), Culver City Arts District (Culver City), South Robertson (Los Angeles), City Terrace (Los Angeles), Glassell Park (Los Angeles), Beverly Grove (Los Angeles), Florence (Los Angeles), Ladera Heights, Vermont Vista (Los Angeles), Beachwood Canyon (Los Angeles), Nadeau (Firestone Park), Omaha Heights (Los Angeles), Walnut Park, Reynier Village (Los Angeles), Hollywood Hills (Los Angeles), Firestone Park (Firestone Park), Morningside Park (Inglewood), Belvedere (Los Angeles), Beverlywood (Los Angeles), Baird Park (Los Angeles), El Sereno (Los Angeles), Monterey Hills (Los Angeles), Castle Heights (Los Angeles), Downtown Culver City (Culver City), Gramercy Park (Los Angeles), Adams Square (Glendale), Newton Park (Los Angeles), Cal State LA (Los Angeles), Highland Park (Los Angeles), Maravilla (Los Angeles), Cheviot Hills (Los Angeles), Belvedere Gardens (Compton), Winter Gardens (Commerce), Bandini (Commerce), Broadway-Manchester (Los Angeles), West Glendale (Los Angeles), Westmont (Los Angeles), Palms (Los Angeles), Green Meadows (Los Angeles), Laurel Canyon (Los Angeles), Eastmont (Compton), Watts (Los Angeles), Fox Hills (Culver City), The Flats (Beverly Hills), Walker (Maywood), Sunkist Park (Culver City).

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