Smog checks for fleet vehicles: What you need to know

Fleet management requires a lot of ongoing maintenance to keep vehicles in good working condition and to meet regulatory requirements. Smog checks are one of the regular inspections you will encounter for your fleet vehicles.

Transportation accounts for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions¹ and smog checks aim to reduce those emissions to keep air pollution below certain levels. While these inspections are primarily designed to promote public health, smog checks can also act as milestones for vehicle maintenance. Vehicles that pass the test must be well maintained, which helps fleets reduce fuel and maintenance costs, vehicle downtime and fines — all important efforts that help reduce fleet emissions.

What is a smog check? 

Smog checks are vehicle inspection and maintenance programs that identify vehicles with excess emissions so they can be properly repaired or retired. A smog check evaluates a vehicle’s emissions-control equipment and systems to measure the amount and type of pollutants the vehicle emits. More than half of states require them, though they go by different names, such as smog testing,  smog inspections, emissions inspections or emissions testing. 

These vehicle emissions inspections are typically run by state governments, and carried out by approved inspectors at select sites. Your state might even have a separate program for heavy-duty vehicles with a unique testing process and frequency, or safety emissions inspection requirements in certain regions only.

The main aim of this smog inspection is to measure pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), unburned fuel — hydrocarbons or non-methane organic gases (HC/NMOG), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), particulate matter (PM) (especially for diesel vehicles), and often carbon dioxide (CO₂) as part of emissions standards or reporting.²

How often do I need a smog check? 

Smog check or emissions testing requirements and costs differ based on state and local laws, but many states require them annually or biennially (every other year) as part of the vehicle registration or registration renewal process, as well as when vehicles are first registered or change owners. Requirements are typically based on vehicle type, age and operating area. Some states also require an emissions inspection within a specific window when moving assets across state lines or registering new acquisitions in different jurisdictions. For example, vehicles in New Jersey must complete emissions testing within two weeks of being registered,³ while in California you must pass a smog check before registering a vehicle, and your smog check is only valid for 90 days.⁴

So if you’ve ever wondered how often do I need a smog check, the answer is that it truly depends on state law.

Some vehicles might also be exempt from smog checks depending on state regulations — for instance, very new vehicles, certain vintage or classic vehicles, electric vehicles or vehicles in geographic areas with no emissions requirement. Exemptions vary significantly by state and fleet type, so it’s important to check with your area’s motor vehicle authority (such as a department, division or office of motor vehicles) on its smog testing requirements, so you know if you are in compliance with all emissions-related regulations.

How should I prepare my fleet vehicles for a smog check?

A good way to prepare your fleet vehicles for a smog check is to perform regular maintenance. This includes getting regular oil changes, tune-ups, filter changes and taking your vehicle in for repairs as soon as the “check engine” light or other diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) come on. 

Fleets can make it easier to stay on top of smog checks for fleet vehicles using the right fleet management software. Fleet managers can receive alerts when maintenance is due, flag potential problems using vehicle diagnostics and run emissions reports.

When it comes time for your fleet vehicles to undergo an emissions inspection, prepare the following:

• Current vehicle registration
• Emissions renewal notice, either paper or email (if applicable)
• Proof of insurance
• Appropriate form of payment (if required)

You may also want to bring prior emissions inspection reports if the vehicle failed a past test and was required to complete repairs to pass.

Fleets using integrated management software often see a significant reduction in unscheduled service costs. See the latest data and technology benchmarks in our Fleet Technology Trends Report.

What to expect during a smog check

Smog checks typically involve visual, functional and emissions inspections.

• Functional: This is where inspectors plug into your vehicle’s on-board diagnostic (OBD) system to get a picture of your vehicle’s health and how well the systems work in managing emissions.
• Emissions: Using an exhaust gas analyzer, inspectors will check your vehicle’s exhaust for smog-causing pollutants to verify emissions fall within acceptable thresholds.
• Visual: Inspectors will physically look at the vehicle to see if it has proper, working emissions-control equipment and systems. They will also look for an excess of smoke, black or white, that your car produces while running. Some state emissions inspections may also include basic safety checks (steering, brakes, lights) depending on regulation and station type.

Smog inspections are performed at select sites by approved administrators. Typically, these are auto repair or oil change shops, but there may be other options for government fleets or heavy-duty vehicles. To find an emissions inspection site or station that performs smog checks, search online or call your state’s motor vehicle authority.

How long do smog checks take to complete? 

Smog check times vary, but they are typically a quick process. Most emissions inspections take about 15-30 minutes, depending on vehicle age, type and condition. Wait times may fluctuate by location and scheduling. If you manage a fleet, you can call ahead to coordinate multiple vehicles at once to streamline the process.

What do you need to do if your vehicle passes the smog check?

If your vehicle passes the smog check, your inspector will present you with a vehicle inspection report and electronically inform the motor vehicle authority in your state that you passed. This is sometimes called a “smog certificate.” The smog certificate confirms that your vehicle meets required emissions standards and is in regulatory compliance. Because processes and procedures vary by state, check with your local registration or vehicle-authority agency to know how to submit or store the emission inspection certificate for your records.

Typically though, you do not have to do anything else to notify the department of your passing status. If you are completing a vehicle emissions inspection as part of your vehicle’s registration or registration renewal process, you may proceed with that process.

What if your fleet vehicle fails the smog check? 

If a fleet vehicle fails the smog check, the inspector will explain the emissions-related repairs you must make to gain compliance. After you make these repairs, you must get your vehicle re-inspected until it officially passes. In certain states, these repairs must be performed by a licensed station. 

You may also have the option to see a third party for a second opinion on your results. For example, in California, this is called a smog check referee. These referees can assist you with inspecting unusual vehicles or locating hard-to-find emissions parts.

How can smog checks aid in efficient fleet management?

Maintaining your vehicles, particularly their emissions systems and parts, will make passing smog checks easier and more efficient. But there are more benefits to maintaining your vehicles in good working order:

• Better fuel economy: Passing a smog check indicates that your vehicles are running efficiently and can help reduce fuel costs.
• More effective maintenance: Smog checks may catch maintenance issues early on, alerting you to issues before they escalate and become breakdowns, downtime and more expensive repairs.
• Achieve ongoing compliance: Vehicles that have not completed required smog checks on time cannot be registered and are not road-legal. If you don’t pull those vehicles from the road, you can be ticketed and fined if you have not completed your emissions inspection on time.
• Emphasize sustainability: From a branding perspective, focusing on ways to boost fleet sustainability shows your customers that you care about your fleet’s environmental impact as well as driver and public safety. 

Smog checks are just one part of a healthy fleet. Download our Fleet Management Software Buyer’s Guide to find a platform that provides the diagnostics and emissions reporting your business needs.

Fleet management software offers a streamlined, efficient and cost-effective way to achieve all these goals and even reduce fleet emissions. Fleet managers can stay on top of smog checks and other emissions regulations easily while reaping the benefits of proactive maintenance. Set up a demo today.

Sources

¹ https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/carbon-pollution-transportation

² https://www.epa.gov/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change/smog-soot-and-other-air-pollution-transportation

³ https://www.nj.gov/mvc/inspection/inspleased.htm

⁴ https://www.bar.ca.gov/smog-check

Verizon Connect does not provide legal advice and shall have no liability whatsoever for any damages that arise from, or are connected with, your use of this blog. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for legal advice. You should consult your own legal advisors to seek the proper advice with reference to any compliance-related information in this blog.