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HomeHealth and Safety CodeDiv. 26Pt. 5Ch. 5Art. 1§ 44003 Vehicle Emission Inspection Programs

§ 44003 Vehicle Emission Inspection Programs

Health and Safety Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 44003 Vehicle Emission Inspection Programs

Key Takeaways

  • •Cars in big cities with bad air pollution must pass a tough smog check to make sure they don’t pollute too much.
  • •Cars in other areas with less pollution still need a basic smog check, but it’s not as strict.
  • •The state can change the rules for smog checks depending on how bad the pollution is in different places.
  • •Some clean-air areas can ask for stricter smog checks, but the toughest rules only apply to the most polluted cities.

Example

You live in Los Angeles and own an old car that smokes a lot.

Because LA has really bad air pollution, your car must pass a tough smog check every two years. If it fails, you have to fix it or you can’t drive it legally. This rule helps keep the air cleaner.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 44003 Vehicle Emission Inspection Programs

(a)  (1)  An enhanced motor vehicle inspection and maintenance program is established in each urbanized area of the state, any part of which is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a serious, severe, or extreme nonattainment area for ozone or a moderate or serious nonattainment area for carbon monoxide with a design value greater than 12.7 ppm, and in other areas of the state as provided in this chapter. (2)  A basic vehicle inspection and maintenance program shall be continued in all other areas of the state where a program was in existence under this chapter as of the effective date of this paragraph. (b)  The department may prescribe different test procedures and equipment requirements for those areas described in subdivision (a). Program components shall be operated in all program areas unless otherwise indicated, as determined by the department. In those areas where the biennial program is not implemented and smog check inspections are required to complete the requirements set forth in Sections 4000.1 and 4000.2 of the Vehicle Code, program elements that apply in basic areas, including test equipment requirements for smog check stations, shall apply. (c)  (1)  Districts classified as attainment areas may request the department to implement all or part of the program elements defined in this chapter. However, the department shall not implement the program established by Section 44010.5 in any area other than an urbanized area, any part of which is classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a serious, severe, or extreme nonattainment area for ozone or a moderate or serious nonattainment area for carbon monoxide with a design value greater than 12.7 ppm. (2)  Districts that include areas classified as basic program nonattainment areas pursuant to subdivision (a) may, except as provided in paragraph (1), request the implementation in those areas of test procedures and equipment required for enhanced program areas and any other program requirement specified for enhanced program areas. (Amended by Stats. 2012, Ch. 728, Sec. 91. (SB 71) Effective January 1, 2013.)

Last verified: January 24, 2026

Key Terms

pollutionnonattainmentenhancedbasicequipmentenvironmentalvehiclefine

Related Statutes

  • § 112155 Shellfish Growing Area Definitions
  • § 44000.5 Vehicle Emission Inspection Program
  • § 44001 Vehicle Emission Inspection Program
  • § 44001.1 Vehicle Emission Repair Training
  • § 44005 Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Health and Safety Code. Section 44003.
View Official Source