California Proposes $200 Fee to Allow Older Cars to Skip Smog Test

If you’re a classic car owner in California, the smog test might become the last of your worries.

The state of California has introduced legislation that would allow certain vehicle owners to pay a $200 smog abatement fee in lieu of passing the smog test. Currently, the smog check program in California requires inspection of motor vehicles upon initial registration, biennially upon renewal of registration, upon transfer of ownership and in certain other circumstances. The existing law already exempts motor vehicles manufactured before the 1976 model year, but what about those cars that were manufactured after and aren’t able to pass the smog test?

SEE ALSO: Should I Use Fuel Injector Cleaner?

The new legislation, A.B. 550, would allow owners of vehicles that are 30 or more model-years old (manufactured during or after 1976 model year) to pay a $200 fee if their car fails a smog test and fails a subsequent round of testing after all the necessary upgrades were made. Considering California has the strictest vehicle emissions laws in the U.S., the passing of the bill would likely be welcomed by classic car owners in the state.