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Smog check rules and DMV offices for Cathedral City
California asks for a smog check at every other registration renewal once a gas or hybrid car is more than eight model years old. Diesels have no age exemption.
Selling a car older than four model years needs a certificate under 90 days old, and a car moving here from another state needs one to register.
Your DMV renewal notice is the final word for an address in Cathedral City. It says whether this year's renewal needs a check and whether it has to be at a STAR station.
The nearest DMV field offices to central Cathedral City:
- Palm Springs 950 N Farrell Drive, Palm Springs 92262
- Palm Desert 74-740 Technology Drive, Palm Desert 92211
Every station listed here is in ZIP 92234.
Smog check questions
- How much is a smog check in Cathedral City?
- $40–$70 at most Cathedral City stations. Test-only is cheaper.
- Do I need a STAR station?
- Only if your DMV renewal notice says STAR. 9 of Cathedral City's 17 stations qualify.
- Test-only vs test & repair?
- Test-only just runs the inspection. Test & repair can also fix a fail.
- What do I bring?
- Your DMV renewal notice and a way to pay. Most stations take walk-ins.
- How long does a smog check take?
- 20–30 minutes. Call ahead to skip the wait.
- Which Cathedral City smog stations are open on Sunday?
- 6 list Sunday hours, including Jessup Auto Plaza, Shottenkirk Desert Lexus, and Palm Springs Motors Inc.
- Are there smog check coupons in Cathedral City?
- Yes: $59.75 Smog Check at Liberty Smog Check; $10 Off Smog Check at Ramon Chevron Service.
- How long is a California smog certificate good for?
- 90 days from the test. A sale or a registration has to happen inside that window.
- What is the smog abatement fee?
- A yearly DMV fee for cars in their first eight model years, which skip the smog check. It's paid with registration, not at a station.
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