Short answer
For a vehicle that needs a smog check on change of ownership, California's Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) says the seller gets it before the sale and gives the buyer a copy of the Vehicle Inspection Report. In a private sale, the vehicle must have passed within the preceding 90 days. Some vehicles and transfers are exempt, so check the specific car before booking a test.
The 90-day window is for this sale
Do not confuse a registration-renewal smog check with a change-of-ownership exemption. BAR uses different rules for each. It says a passing smog certificate is sent electronically to DMV and remains valid for 90 days. The station provides a Vehicle Inspection Report; give the buyer a copy and keep one for your records. The buyer can also check inspection history through BAR's online service.
If the test failed or the passing report is too old, resolve that before completing a routine private sale. Do not represent a failed or stale test as a current passing certification. BAR explains repair and reinspection options on its Smog Check page.
Common change-of-ownership exemptions
BAR lists electric vehicles and motorcycles among vehicles that do not need a smog check. Gasoline, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles four model years and newer have a change-of-ownership exemption; DMV collects a smog transfer fee instead. BAR lists other vehicle-age, diesel-weight and immediate-family exceptions. Do not infer an exemption from the eight-model-year registration-renewal rule, which is a different rule.
Check the current BAR guidance and DMV transfer instructions for your exact model year, fuel type and transfer. A buyer-seller agreement does not determine whether DMV needs a smog certification.
What to bring to the handoff
- The passing Vehicle Inspection Report, if required, with vehicle details matching the car.
- The title and other documents that apply to this transaction.
- A way for both parties to keep a copy of the report and final sale details.
For the remaining forms and handoff sequence, read the complete California private-sale guide or print the free California paperwork checklist. CloseMyCar CA can organize an eligible standard sale record, but it does not perform inspections or certify compliance.
Ready to organize the handoff?
The optional CloseMyCar workspace costs $14.99 once for an eligible standard sale. It does not replace a required smog check or DMV filing.
Check eligibilityOfficial sources checked
- California BAR: Smog Check requirements, results and exemptions
- California DMV: Title Transfers and Changes