6 Great Places To Get Emissions Tests in Los Angeles
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Known for its beaches, entertainment, and national parks, California is one of the most visited states in the country. For residents, though, a high cost of living and heavy traffic can be a major downside. While California is environmentally friendly, vehicle emissions requirements in California are harsher than in the rest of the country. This is owing to the deterioration of air quality in Los Angeles, which has a high concentration of cars on the road. If you are looking to complete your emissions tests in Los Angeles, here are a few things to consider.
Scientists understood in the 1950s that the Los Angeles air basin’s unusual combination of contained geography, quickly rising population, and the warm temperature was a formula for deadly smog. In 1952, Dutch researcher Arie Jan Haagen-Smit found that photochemical interactions between California’s sunshine and nitrogen oxides and unburned hydrocarbons in motor vehicle exhaust were causing increasing Los Angeles smog episodes.
Because of this, in 1961, the California Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Board enacted laws requiring the use of the country’s first vehicle emissions control equipment, and in 1966, it produced the country’s first vehicle emissions standards. The EPA followed suit shortly after in 1968 and imposed rules that were equivalent to California’s.
Emission tests in Los Angeles: Vehicle exemptions
- A gasoline-powered vehicle including trailers and motorcycles made before 1975
- A diesel-powered vehicle is one that was manufactured in 1997 or before and has a gross vehicle weight of greater than 14,000 pounds
- Natural gas-powered vehicles weighing over 14,000 pounds
- A vehicle that runs on electricity
- Gas-powered vehicles newer than eight model years old
Unfortunately for residents, the cost of a smog check is not regulated by the state of California. The cost of a smog inspection varies depending on the smog test center since these stations are independently owned and operated enterprises. The typical smog test costs between $29.95 and $69.95, depending on your location, the type of vehicle you own, and the type of smog inspection your vehicle requires.
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Emissions tests in Los Angeles: additional fees
- Registration fee
- California Highway Patrol (CHP) fee
- Vehicle license fee
- Transportation improvement fee
- County or district fee
These five additional fees are often involved during the process of getting your car tested but will likely happen at varying points.
Emissions tests in Los Angeles: Five great locations
1. Inglewood LAX Smog Check
Location: 4490 W Century Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90304
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 113 Google reviews
Inglewood and the surrounding West Los Angeles regions are covered. The State of California has designated this location as an official Star Smog Inspection Station. This location offers testing for a change of ownership, DMV registration, Military Base Smog Pass, and Bi-Annual Smog check.
- Services are available for vehicles built after the model year 2000
- You can often save up to 40% on the standard retail price
- You can request a free retest if your test fails
- One of the few locations open seven days a week
- Will match or beat any competitor’s price
2. Smog Just Smog
Locations: 11468 Gateway Blvd Los Angeles and 11825 Santa Monica Blvd Los Angeles
Rating: 4.2 out of 5 on 82 total reviews
This STAR-Certified Smog Checking has 7 locations in the greater Los Angeles area with quick DMV registration and two in the Los Angeles city limits.
- Passenger cars, minivans, trucks, and recreational vehicles are all eligible for testing
- DMV Registration Renewals in California
- Diesel Fuel Smog Inspections
- Emission Control Services
- Exhaust gas analyzer to keep track of exhaust emissions for each vehicle
3. DTLA Smog Check
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Location: 210 East 16th Street, Los Angeles
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 on 34 customer ratings and 4.6 out of 5 with 140 Google reviews
This cash-only location provides a one-time service for vehicles made after 2000 for a low price compared to most other downtown competitors.
4. J.Dee Star Test
Location: 8140 Vermont Ave c, Los Angeles
Rating: 5.0 from 68 customer ratings and 4.7 out of 5 from 47 Google reviews
This location provides services for most vehicles, but only hybrid cars manufactured after 2010 to the present are valid. Customers can routinely save up to 55% off on standard inspection and sticker, or emissions required testing.
5. A & M Smog II
Location: 11333 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles
Rating: 5.0 from 312 customer reviews and 4.7 Google rating on 288 votes
Located about 10.4 miles from the city center, the STAR-certified location commonly provides $75 worth of testing at over half off.
Along with insurance, registering with the state, regular service checks, and everything in between, taking your vehicle to get serviced can be a tedious chore. If you’re in need of emissions tests in Los Angeles, these are a few great places to start.
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