You can definitely get a smog check before it's due.
Just be advised, it won't be counted towards the smog check requirement when the DMV asks for one. For the purpose of knowing the condition your vehicle is in, getting a smog check pretest is a great idea. You can visit any smog station and ask for a smog "pre-test". During the pretest your vehicle's smog check results will be sent to the state (CA), however regardless of how your vehicle does, the results won't affect your vehicle's smog check status. The DMV will not see your smog check results. The results will only be visible to the Bureau of Automotive Repairs (BAR).
For instance if after the smog check the results showed your vehicle to be a gross polluter (assuming the vehicle is pre-2000 year model and is administered the BAR-97 smog test on a dynamometer), the vehicle will not be officially recorded as a gross polluter with the California BAR.
You will not be issued a smog certificate.
If your vehicle passes the smog check pre-test, you will not be issued a smog certificate, rather, the smog technician will give you a vehicle inspection report (VIR). You'll be getting a vehicle inspection report if your vehicle fails the pretest also. Call around because you may find smog check stations which charge less for a smog pretest. You will not need to pay the $8.25 California Smog Certificate Fee as your vehicle will not be issued a smog certificate.
posted by SmogTips Support
