How to Check a Vehicle's Smog Check History in California

Every California smog check is recorded by the state. If you are buying a used car, or you cannot remember when your last inspection was, you can look up the record online in a minute.

How to look up smog check history, step by step

1. Find the VIN. The 17-character Vehicle Identification Number is on your registration card and insurance card, and on most cars at the base of the windshield.
2. Open the BAR tool. Go to bar.ca.gov/inspection.
3. Enter the VIN. The tool also accepts a license plate number, but BAR notes a plate number may change, so the VIN gives the most accurate results.
4. Select “View inspection history.” The results list the vehicle’s past Smog Check inspections.

When a smog check history is useful

BAR points to two common uses: reviewing a used vehicle’s past inspections before you buy, and verifying past results when you do not remember your last Smog Check.

• Buying from a private seller: the vehicle must have passed a Smog Check within the last 90 days, according to BAR. Ask the seller for a copy of the vehicle inspection report and confirm it with the online history.
• Buying from a dealership: the vehicle must have passed a Smog Check within the past two years.
• Selling your car: a Smog Check is required before you sell it, and you should give the buyer a copy of the vehicle inspection report.

What to do if the tool shows no results

An empty result does not always mean a smog check was skipped. Work through these first:

• Try the VIN instead of the plate. Plates change, VINs do not.
• Check for a typo. One wrong character in a VIN returns nothing.
• Wait a day if the test was recent. BAR updates records daily at midnight.
• Consider whether the vehicle needed a test. Gasoline, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles eight model years old or newer do not need a Smog Check for registration renewal, and electric vehicles and motorcycles do not need one at all, so they may have little or no history.

If a station says it inspected your vehicle and the record is still missing after a day, ask the station for your vehicle inspection report. If you have a problem with a station, BAR lets you file a complaint on its website.

Need a new smog check?

A passing inspection produces a certificate that BAR says is valid for 90 days and is sent electronically to the DMV. Use the city lists below to compare BAR-licensed stations, or see our requirements guide to confirm you need a test.

Find a station by city

These are the cities with the most BAR-licensed stations. Every station is listed with address, phone number and BAR license number. See all 83 cities.

Frequently asked questions

Can I check smog history by license plate number?

Yes. BAR’s tool accepts a VIN or a license plate number. BAR warns that a plate number may change, so it recommends entering the VIN for the most accurate results.

How often is the smog inspection history updated?

BAR says records are updated daily at midnight. If your smog check was done today, check again tomorrow.

How long is a smog certificate valid?

BAR says a certificate issued after a passing inspection is valid for 90 days.

Does the DMV get my smog check result automatically?

Yes. BAR says the station sends the certificate to the DMV electronically after a passing inspection, so you can go on to complete your registration renewal.