Mobile Smog Checkpoints In California

SoCalChris · May 24, 2010

Last week, there was a mobile SMOG check setup near me. On two different days, they had the test setup in two different locations.

The setup had a "Survey Crew Ahead" sign, followed by a lane closure. After the survey sign there was no way to get out of the checkpoint, you had to go through. In the closed lane was a CHP officer waving random cars in to be tested. At the actual test point, they had a mobile dyno set up, and a tailpipe sniffer.

Does anyone know anything about these? More specifically, does anyone know if you're legally required to submit to a smog test if they wave you in?

Here's video of the second one. It was on Cook Street in Palm Desert.

ryan_hermanutz · May 24, 2010

Interesting. I don't know because I don't live there, but is there a law that says you can't drive around (in-between) registration with a vehicle that doesn't pass? And maybe they are just doing random smog surveys to see what kinds of percentage of vehicles are not legal.

r1byker · May 24, 2010

Thanks for the heads up on that; I've never seen a checkpoint specifically for smog test. Are you legally required to submit to a test? I would think so. I could see them impounding the vehicle if the driver refused to have it checked. And I could see the driver getting a big ticket if he tried to turn around to avoid the checkpoint.

I drive a big rig, in California, and trucks have to pull over at inspection stations to be weighed and, occasionally, to be inspected. If the vehicle fails because of a safety issue, it's immediately parked until repaired.

dewfpo · May 25, 2010

I don't care what the law says, that's just not right in my book. It creates additional pollution and wastes fuel by having the lane closure and forcing everyone to drive slowly on by instead of driving the speed limit not to mention wastes the time of many drivers. I can think of better uses for patrolmen than to be randomly picking vehicles out of a captured stream of traffic. Suppose you had an important appointment you needed to be at? Is the patrolmen going to believe you and give you a pass? They'd be better off just sending out random notices to schedule a smog inspection at a state approved station. Again, it appears they are penalizing the general public for the few percent that take advantage of the system.

My 2 cents.

DEWFPO

DoMDrty · May 27, 2010

I don't care what the law says, that's just not right in my book. It creates additional pollution and wastes fuel by having the lane closure and forcing everyone to drive slowly on by instead of driving the speed limit not to mention wastes the time of many drivers. I can think of better uses for patrolmen than to be randomly picking vehicles out of a captured stream of traffic. Suppose you had an important appointment you needed to be at? Is the patrolmen going to believe you and give you a pass? They'd be better off just sending out random notices to schedule a smog inspection at a state approved station. Again, it appears they are penalizing the general public for the few percent that take advantage of the system.

My 2 cents.

DEWFPO

Welcome to California . I have been here almost 2yrs and have not seen one, but that is probably because I live in a rural area and towns are small. My vehicle is registered in GA so I wouldn't have to worry about one anyways.

desrtrat · May 27, 2010

Does anyone know anything about these? More specifically, does anyone know if you're legally required to submit to a smog test if they wave you in?

like we all say..WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA..

first.. yes you are required to submit to the test. if you refuse, now the officer has probable cause to search/detain you saying you have something to hide. under CA motor vehicle laws, the registered owner is required to maintain the vehicle in compliance with state law..if there inspection shows that any emission component is, missing/modified/disconnected, you will be cited with a fix it ticket and given instructions on repair/fines..i know that NO CATS IS UP TO $2500 fine if vehicle is required to have them..if you fail the sniffer test, depending on how bad it fails, you can be fined as a GROSS POLLUTER and could be subjected to impound.. you have the time to repair the issues in a timely manner, and have your vehicle reinspected. if you fail to do so your vehicle WILL NOT be allowed to be registered the next year until all fines, and repairs are taken care of..

hope this helps..

hockeypro1411 · May 28, 2010

Does anyone know anything about these? More specifically, does anyone know if you're legally required to submit to a smog test if they wave you in?

like we all say..WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA..

first.. yes you are required to submit to the test. if you refuse, now the officer has probable cause to search/detain you saying you have something to hide. under CA motor vehicle laws, the registered owner is required to maintain the vehicle in compliance with state law..if there inspection shows that any emission component is, missing/modified/disconnected, you will be cited with a fix it ticket and given instructions on repair/fines..i know that NO CATS IS UP TO $2500 fine if vehicle is required to have them..if you fail the sniffer test, depending on how bad it fails, you can be fined as a GROSS POLLUTER and could be subjected to impound.. you have the time to repair the issues in a timely manner, and have your vehicle reinspected. if you fail to do so your vehicle WILL NOT be allowed to be registered the next year until all fines, and repairs are taken care of..

hope this helps..

They'd hate me.

Daryl LBZ · May 28, 2010

Wow just another reason why I'll never go to California...

DoMDrty · May 28, 2010

Wow just another reason why I'll never go to California...

California is a great place to go. Just don't become a resident

jrrod2004 · May 28, 2010

Wow just another reason why I'll never go to California...

California is a great place to go. Just don't become a resident

just make sure GA DMV doesnt shaft you for having their tags and being a "non resident" anymore...

Wingnut · May 28, 2010

Huh....Wonder what would happen if a non resident got caught up in one of these roadside tests.

As an Oklahoma resident, if I'm vacationing there (I go to CA at least once a year) and I get popped on one of these random checkpoints, I'd surely fail it miserably due to my mods...

desrtrat · May 28, 2010

Huh....Wonder what would happen if a non resident got caught up in one of these roadside tests.

As an Oklahoma resident, if I'm vacationing there (I go to CA at least once a year) and I get popped on one of these random checkpoints, I'd surely fail it miserably due to my mods...

not much. being a non resident they would just flag you thru, or just check to see if you have a valid DL.

if you have a CA driver license, and a out of state registered vehicle in your name, then out comes the ticket book... CA law states if you reside in the state for more then 30 days, you are required to get a CA drivers license, and register your vehicle(s).. the fines for vehicles can be expensive. 1 year back renewal, or to the date of original sale..got to love it here..

Metro12 · May 28, 2010

I think its great. Hopefully they catch people trying to break the law between annual inspections. I wish we had more stringent inspections here in Ohio. Not just emissions so much, but safety. Sick of seeing unsafe vehicles on the roadways.

Wingnut · May 28, 2010

Huh....Wonder what would happen if a non resident got caught up in one of these roadside tests.

As an Oklahoma resident, if I'm vacationing there (I go to CA at least once a year) and I get popped on one of these random checkpoints, I'd surely fail it miserably due to my mods...

not much. being a non resident they would just flag you thru, or just check to see if you have a valid DL.

if you have a CA driver license, and a out of state registered vehicle in your name, then out comes the ticket book... CA law states if you reside in the state for more then 30 days, you are required to get a CA drivers license, and register your vehicle(s).. the fines for vehicles can be expensive. 1 year back renewal, or to the date of original sale..got to love it here..

Oh, I DO love it there. I lived there for 10 years.

I just don't care for laws like that...Pretty much the only drawback other than the cost of living.

DoMDrty · May 29, 2010

Wow just another reason why I'll never go to California...

California is a great place to go. Just don't become a resident

just make sure GA DMV doesnt shaft you for having their tags and being a "non resident" anymore...

Ah, but I am still a resident there. I had GA tags for my car and truck mailed here from the state of GA. Military and or out of state students can retain residency in their home states.