If Im correct the cut off date is 1975 right? How long before 1976 is exempt? Thanks for any info;)

Anything older than 30 years.

1973 and older are smog exempt, unconditionally. 1974 is smog exempt for the owner but a smog cert is required for title transfer. In 2005, 1975 will go the same as 1974 does this year.
This is my understanding of the CAFE laws as it is now but I am not possitively sure it is correct.
In 2007 the whole deal is up for appraisal by CAFE.

go to DMV website and you'll see it is as my brother said: anything 30yrs and older.

Originally posted by JeepinDoug
1973 and older are smog exempt, unconditionally. 1974 is smog exempt for the owner but a smog cert is required for title transfer. In 2005, 1975 will go the same as 1974 does this year.
This is my understanding of the CAFE laws as it is now but I am not possitively sure it is correct.
In 2007 the whole deal is up for appraisal by CAFE.

CAFE stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. It's a federal thing. This 30 year rule is a California thing. Different stuff.

Originally posted by JeepinDoug
1973 and older are smog exempt, unconditionally. 1974 is smog exempt for the owner but a smog cert is required for title transfer. In 2005, 1975 will go the same as 1974 does this year.
This is my understanding of the CAFE laws as it is now but I am not possitively sure it is correct.
In 2007 the whole deal is up for appraisal by CAFE.
it is pre smog 75 and older period. There is no smog for transfer. that is not how it works. if this was true, then as soon as the 65 and older thing was moved to 73 and older, you would have had to smog 73's before initial registration. january 1 2005 is when 76 is exempt.

If you go to a smog shop with a 75 and older car, you may get bitchslapped by the tech.

Here's a direct quote from the CA DMV,

How old does a vehicle have to be to qualify for a smog exemption?
Vehicles with a year model 30 years old or older are exempt from the smog certification requirements.
Example: The calendar year is 2003- 29 = 1974 exempt year model
The current calendar year minus 29 equals the year model exempt from smog certification.

So I guess 75s are exempt now.
Sorry Bob, I thought it CAFE that was making all the rules with MTBE and smog certs in CA. Some how I thought they were related, something about watching MTBE levels then deciding if polluter cars will gain by cleaner fuels. It's been awhile for me keeping up on the stuff, my FI passes every time.

Originally posted by eurobob


CAFE stands for Corporate Average Fuel Economy. It's a federal thing. This 30 year rule is a California thing. Different stuff.

So the 30 year rule only applies to Ca cars then?

Ok 1 more year for the chevy then. Dam time flys seems like not to long ago my buddy so was having to smog his 67 camaro, talk about lame. Ten years sure goes by fast and I dont even wanna think about what smog laws are gonna be here in another 10 years.


Is anyone from the pheonix Arizona area? My coworker wrenched at Cat down there and was telling me when you got on the freeway down there they had these vans that moniter your emission levels. I could of swore that he was the same person that told me that it is illegal to warm your car up(leaving it running for extended minutes), at least on certain days. I wonder if they have those vans in Los Angeles