SMOG CHECK INSPECTOR EXAM CA EXPERT CERTIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
1. What is the primary purpose of California's Smog Check Program?
ANSWER: To improve air quality by identifying and repairing vehicles that emit excessive
pollutants.
2. Which government agency administers the Smog Check Program in California?
ANSWER: The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR).
3. What are the two main categories of Smog Check stations?
ANSWER: Test-Only and Test-and-Repair.
4. What is a Gold Shield station?
ANSWER: A Test-and-Repair station that has met enhanced performance standards set by BAR.
5. Which vehicles are generally exempt from a biennial Smog Check?
ANSWER: Vehicles model year 1975 and older, and new vehicles for the first 8 model years.
6. What is the Gross Polluter (GP) standard?
ANSWER: An emissions failure designation for vehicles that exceed specific, higher emission
limits.
7. A vehicle's VIN must be verified during a Smog Check. Where is the most common VIN
location?
ANSWER: On the dashboard, visible through the windshield on the driver's side.
8. What is the first thing an inspector must verify before beginning a test?
,ANSWER: That the vehicle's engine is cold, or that the vehicle has gone through the proper pre-
test drive cycle.
9. The "Check Engine" light or Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) must be:
ANSWER: Functional during the Key-On, Engine-Off (KOEO) test and not commanded on with
the engine running.
10. If the MIL is illuminated during the KOEO test but turns off when the engine starts, the
vehicle:
ANSWER: Passes the MIL check.
11. A vehicle fails the visual inspection if the gas cap is:
ANSWER: Missing, damaged, or the wrong type for the vehicle (e.g., non-locking on a vehicle
requiring a locking cap).
12. What is the purpose of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD-II) system?
ANSWER: To monitor the performance of major engine components and the emission control
system.
13. For a 2000 or newer model year vehicle, what is the maximum number of non-continuous
monitors that can be "not ready" to pass the OBD-II inspection?
ANSWER: One (1).
14. A monitor status of "Ready" means:
ANSWER: The monitor has completed its self-test since the codes were last cleared.
15. A monitor status of "Not Ready" or "Incomplete" means:
ANSWER: The monitor has not completed its self-test since the codes were last cleared.
, 16. A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) that begins with "P0" is a:
ANSWER: Generic code, standardized across all manufacturers.
17. A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) that begins with "P1" is a:
ANSWER: Manufacturer-specific code.
18. Code P0420 indicates a potential problem with:
ANSWER: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1).
19. The purpose of the catalytic converter is to reduce emissions of:
ANSWER: Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx).
20. Tampering is defined as:
ANSWER: The deliberate disabling, altering, or removing of a required emission control
component.
21. An aftermarket performance air intake is legal for use in California if it has:
ANSWER: An Executive Order (EO) number issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
22. During the underhood inspection, if a component, such as an EGR valve, is found to be
disconnected, the inspector must:
ANSWER: Fail the vehicle for tampering.
23. The Two-Speed Idle (TSI) test is typically performed on which model year vehicles?
ANSWER: Pre-2000 model year gasoline-powered vehicles up to 14,000 lbs GVWR.
24. The two test modes for the TSI test are:
ANSWER: Idle (at approx. 900-1100 RPM) and High Idle (at approx. 2500 RPM).
AND ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
1. What is the primary purpose of California's Smog Check Program?
ANSWER: To improve air quality by identifying and repairing vehicles that emit excessive
pollutants.
2. Which government agency administers the Smog Check Program in California?
ANSWER: The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR).
3. What are the two main categories of Smog Check stations?
ANSWER: Test-Only and Test-and-Repair.
4. What is a Gold Shield station?
ANSWER: A Test-and-Repair station that has met enhanced performance standards set by BAR.
5. Which vehicles are generally exempt from a biennial Smog Check?
ANSWER: Vehicles model year 1975 and older, and new vehicles for the first 8 model years.
6. What is the Gross Polluter (GP) standard?
ANSWER: An emissions failure designation for vehicles that exceed specific, higher emission
limits.
7. A vehicle's VIN must be verified during a Smog Check. Where is the most common VIN
location?
ANSWER: On the dashboard, visible through the windshield on the driver's side.
8. What is the first thing an inspector must verify before beginning a test?
,ANSWER: That the vehicle's engine is cold, or that the vehicle has gone through the proper pre-
test drive cycle.
9. The "Check Engine" light or Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) must be:
ANSWER: Functional during the Key-On, Engine-Off (KOEO) test and not commanded on with
the engine running.
10. If the MIL is illuminated during the KOEO test but turns off when the engine starts, the
vehicle:
ANSWER: Passes the MIL check.
11. A vehicle fails the visual inspection if the gas cap is:
ANSWER: Missing, damaged, or the wrong type for the vehicle (e.g., non-locking on a vehicle
requiring a locking cap).
12. What is the purpose of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD-II) system?
ANSWER: To monitor the performance of major engine components and the emission control
system.
13. For a 2000 or newer model year vehicle, what is the maximum number of non-continuous
monitors that can be "not ready" to pass the OBD-II inspection?
ANSWER: One (1).
14. A monitor status of "Ready" means:
ANSWER: The monitor has completed its self-test since the codes were last cleared.
15. A monitor status of "Not Ready" or "Incomplete" means:
ANSWER: The monitor has not completed its self-test since the codes were last cleared.
, 16. A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) that begins with "P0" is a:
ANSWER: Generic code, standardized across all manufacturers.
17. A Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) that begins with "P1" is a:
ANSWER: Manufacturer-specific code.
18. Code P0420 indicates a potential problem with:
ANSWER: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1).
19. The purpose of the catalytic converter is to reduce emissions of:
ANSWER: Hydrocarbons (HC), Carbon Monoxide (CO), and Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx).
20. Tampering is defined as:
ANSWER: The deliberate disabling, altering, or removing of a required emission control
component.
21. An aftermarket performance air intake is legal for use in California if it has:
ANSWER: An Executive Order (EO) number issued by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
22. During the underhood inspection, if a component, such as an EGR valve, is found to be
disconnected, the inspector must:
ANSWER: Fail the vehicle for tampering.
23. The Two-Speed Idle (TSI) test is typically performed on which model year vehicles?
ANSWER: Pre-2000 model year gasoline-powered vehicles up to 14,000 lbs GVWR.
24. The two test modes for the TSI test are:
ANSWER: Idle (at approx. 900-1100 RPM) and High Idle (at approx. 2500 RPM).
