California is one of the federal states in the United States. It has the highest number of vehicle registrations. According to national car ownership statistics, over 31 million vehicles were registered in the state in 2022. With so many cars on the road, vehicle safety inspections play a vital role in preventing accidents.
If you’re a Californian who owns a vehicle, it’s important to understand the vehicle safety inspection requirements in California. This can help you avoid fines, keep your vehicle in good shape, and protect yourself and other road users.
What is a Vehicle Safety Inspection?
A vehicle safety inspection is a process where a certified mechanic checks your vehicle to make sure it meets certain safety standards. This inspection focuses on various components of your car, such as the brakes, lights, tires, steering, exhaust system, and windshield mirror. These checks are designed to identify any issues that might make the vehicle unsafe to drive.
Vehicle safety inspections are usually carried out by licensed mechanics or inspection stations certified by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). Upon inspection, you will be provided with a list of issues that need to be fixed. If your vehicle passes the inspection, you’ll receive a certificate that proves it meets California’s safety standards.
Types of Inspections in California
Two main types of inspections may apply to vehicles in California:
- Smog Inspection
- Safety Inspection for Salvage or Out-of-State Vehicles
Smog Inspection
This is the most common inspection required in California and measures the pollutants released by your vehicle’s exhaust system. California has strict air quality standards, and the smog check is a way to ensure that vehicles are not polluting the environment. They are required every two years for most vehicles older than eight years. The cost for this inspection ranges from $20 to $50.
Safety Inspection for Salvage or Out-of-State Vehicles
Salvaged vehicles or vehicles brought into California from another state require safety inspection. During this inspection, a certified mechanic will make sure that the vehicle is safe to drive before it can be registered in California. Once this is done, it does not require annual vehicle safety inspections for all vehicles. However, regular maintenance checks are recommended to keep your vehicle in top condition. The cost of the inspection can vary between $60 and $100 for a safety inspection.
What Happens If You Don’t Get a Required Inspection?
Driving a vehicle that doesn’t meet safety standards puts you and others at risk. You might not be able to register your vehicle if it doesn’t pass inspection, which means you won’t be able to legally drive it. If you’re caught driving such a vehicle, you could face fines, and your vehicle could be impounded.
Bear in mind that not all vehicles require regular safety inspections, but certain types do, especially those that are being sold or registered after being brought in from out of state. Vehicles with clean, modern engines or ones that run on electric power may also be exempt from this requirement.
IntelligentHQ Your New Business Network.
IntelligentHQ is a Business network and an expert source for finance, capital markets and intelligence for thousands of global business professionals, startups, and companies.
We exist at the point of intersection between technology, social media, finance and innovation.
IntelligentHQ leverages innovation and scale of social digital technology, analytics, news and distribution to create an unparalleled, full digital medium and social business network spectrum.
IntelligentHQ is working hard, to become a trusted, and indispensable source of business news and analytics, within financial services and its associated supply chains and ecosystems.
