Did Trump Just Abolish Smog Checks?

If you've seen headlines or social media posts claiming that President Trump abolished smog checks, you're not alone — a lot of California drivers have been asking us the same thing. The short answer: no, California smog checks have not been abolished. They're still required for most vehicle registration renewals, change-of-ownership sales, and out-of-state vehicle registrations.

But something real did happen at the federal level in 2025, and the confusion is understandable. Here's exactly what changed, what didn't, and what it means for you when your DMV renewal notice shows up.

What actually changed in 2025

In June 2025, President Trump signed three Congressional resolutions that revoked specific EPA waivers California had been granted under the Clean Air Act. These waivers were what allowed California to set stricter vehicle emissions standards than the federal government — most notably, the rule requiring 35% of new vehicles sold in California to be zero-emission by model year 2026, scaling up to a full phase-out of new gas vehicle sales by 2035.

The federal action targeted three California programs specifically:

• Advanced Clean Cars II — the rule pushing toward 100% zero-emission new vehicle sales by 2035
• Advanced Clean Trucks — similar rules for medium and heavy-duty trucks
• Omnibus NOx (nitrogen oxide) rule — stricter pollution limits for diesel trucks

These are rules about what kinds of new cars and trucks manufacturers can sell in California — they're not the smog check program drivers experience at registration time.

Why the smog check program isn't affected

California's biennial smog inspection program — the one you encounter every two years when renewing your registration — is a separate animal. It was created by state law in 1984, not by federal regulation. It's administered by California's Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), licenses more than 7,000 independently-owned stations, and covers roughly 30 million registered vehicles.

The federal Clean Air Act waivers Congress repealed in 2025 governed manufacturer-level vehicle standards — not the consumer-level inspection program. Even if every federal emissions standard were eliminated tomorrow, California's smog check program would continue under state authority. Governor Newsom has filed suit to challenge the federal repeal and signed an executive order directing California regulators to pursue replacement rules. But none of this affects whether your car needs a smog test this year.

Who still needs a smog check in 2026

The rules haven't changed. Here's what California currently requires:

• Gasoline, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicles model year 1976 and newer — required, with exceptions below
• Eight model years and newer (model year 2019 and newer in 2026) — exempt from biennial smog at registration renewal, but pay a smog abatement fee instead
• Four model years and newer — exempt from change-of-ownership smog, but pay a smog transfer fee
• Diesel vehicles model year 1998 and newer with a GVWR of 14,000 lbs or less — required, no model year exemption
• Vehicles registering in California for the first time — required regardless of age (model year 1976 and newer)
• Vehicles sold privately — seller must provide a smog cert dated within 90 days

If your DMV registration renewal notice says a smog check is required — including a STAR-directed inspection — you still need to get one to renew your tags. There is no federal action that overrides this.

Where the confusion comes from

Most of the misleading headlines you may have seen mix up three completely separate things:

1. Vehicle emissions standards — what new cars must meet to be sold (manufacturer rules)
2. Federal vs. state authority — who gets to set those standards (the legal fight)
3. The smog check program — the inspection you personally take to renew your registration

The 2025 federal action affected #1 and #2 — it scaled back California's authority to require automakers to sell zero-emission vehicles. It did not touch #3, which is what affects ordinary drivers at registration time.

Smog checks have been around since 1984, they exist under California state law, and there is currently no active legislation or executive action that eliminates them. The program is expected to continue operating "well into the foreseeable future," in the words of the state Bureau of Automotive Repair.

What might change going forward

A few things to keep an eye on, none of which affect your registration renewal right now:

The court fight over California's waivers. The state has sued to reverse the federal repeal. If California wins, the manufacturer standards come back. Either way, this is about new vehicles, not inspections.

Leno's Law. If SB 1392 passes, classic car owners (35+ year vehicles meeting strict criteria) would gain new exemptions. This affects a small fraction of vehicles on the road.

Long-term EV adoption. California is still pushing toward more electric vehicles. Electric vehicles don't need smog checks. As more drivers switch over, the practical reach of the smog check program shrinks — but it'll still apply to the tens of millions of gasoline-powered cars expected to be on California roads for the next 20+ years.

What this means for you

If your DMV registration renewal notice arrives and tells you a smog check is required, the answer hasn't changed: yes, you need one. The federal headlines don't override the state rules that govern what's required to renew your tags. Driving with expired registration leads to fines, possible tow risks, and in some cases impound — none of which are worth waiting around to see if smog checks get abolished (they won't).

At Simi Smog & Wash, we've been performing smog inspections in Simi Valley since 1998 and we've watched federal and state emissions policy shift back and forth many times. The smog check program has remained a fixture through every administration. If you're due for one — or if you're new to California and need a first-time registration smog — come see us. We'll get you done in about 15 minutes, no appointment needed.