Smog Check Inspector
Smog Check Inspector Exam CA 2026/2027 | All Possible
Questions and 100% Verified Answers
Gradegurus
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,1. Are smog check inspections and/or repairs allowed to be sublet?
A. No, except for warranty repairs
B. Yes, without any exceptions
C. No but there are a few exceptions
D. Yes, all smog check inspections can be sublet
Correct answer: C – No but there are a few exceptions
Rationale: CA smog check regulations generally prohibit subletting inspections or
repairs, except for specific allowed situations (e.g., warranty repairs with customer
consent).
2. Change of ownership area, 1976 to 1999 model year vehicles are subject to what kind
of emissions test? (Hint: tailpipe)
A. Steady state cruise test
B. Variable speed dyno test
C. High speed acceleration test
D. 2 speed idle test
Correct answer: D – 2 speed idle test
Rationale: For change of ownership, 1976-1999 gasoline vehicles receive a two-speed
idle tailpipe test, not a loaded dyno test.
3. Which of the following acronyms defines TDC? And BTDC?
A. Center dead point and before center dead
B. Top dead center and before too dead center
C. Bottom dead center and after top dead center
D. Top dead center and before top dead center
Correct answer: D – Top dead center and before top dead center
Rationale: TDC = Top Dead Center (piston at highest point); BTDC = Before Top Dead
Center (ignition timing reference).
,Page 2
4. What are directed vehicles?
A. BAR directs a portion of the enhanced area fleet to STAR certified stations for
certification
B. BAR directs a portion of the rural area fleet to basic certified stations for certification
C. BAR directs a portion of the basic area fleet to enhanced certified stations for
inspection
D. BAR directs a portion of the enhanced area fleet to standard certified stations for
maintenance
Correct answer: A – BAR directs a portion of the enhanced area fleet to STAR certified
stations for certification
Rationale: Directed vehicles are high-emitting profiles selected by BAR; they must go to
STAR stations for certification.
5. The visible smoke test consists of?
A. 3 bar snap tests
B. 2 bar idle tests
C. 5 bar pressure tests
D. 4 bar temperature tests
Correct answer: A – 3 bar snap tests
Rationale: The visible smoke test uses three snap accelerations (BAR snap test) to
check for excessive exhaust smoke.
6. If a vehicle is registered in the enhanced area but garaged in a basic area, it must
undergo?
A. Any one
B. A vehicle has an emissions system concern
C. An enhanced area inspection
D. Any two
, Correct answer: C – An enhanced area inspection
Rationale: Registration location determines the test type; enhanced area registration
requires enhanced inspection regardless of garaging address.
Page 3
7. Which of the following is NOT considered a subsystem of the computerized emission
control system?
A. Antilock brake module
B. Transmission planetary gearset
C. Power steering pump
D. Exhaust system
Correct answer: A – Antilock brake module
Rationale: ABS is a safety system, not part of the computerized emission control system.
8. Smog check program divides the state into 3 areas determined by air quality. What
are they?
A. Metropolitan, Suburban, and Conditional
B. Enhanced, Basic, and Change of Ownership
C. Urban, Rural, and Temporary
D. Advanced, Standard, and Provisional
Correct answer: B – Enhanced, Basic, and Change of Ownership
Rationale: CA smog check areas: Enhanced (poor air quality), Basic (better air quality),
Change of Ownership (transfer sales).
9. TAC (thermostatic air cleaner) – make sure air filter element is?
A. Modified with additional filters
B. Undersized and painted
C. Oversized and securely sealed
D. Not oversized and no additional holes in housing
Smog Check Inspector Exam CA 2026/2027 | All Possible
Questions and 100% Verified Answers
Gradegurus
➢
➢
➢
➢
,1. Are smog check inspections and/or repairs allowed to be sublet?
A. No, except for warranty repairs
B. Yes, without any exceptions
C. No but there are a few exceptions
D. Yes, all smog check inspections can be sublet
Correct answer: C – No but there are a few exceptions
Rationale: CA smog check regulations generally prohibit subletting inspections or
repairs, except for specific allowed situations (e.g., warranty repairs with customer
consent).
2. Change of ownership area, 1976 to 1999 model year vehicles are subject to what kind
of emissions test? (Hint: tailpipe)
A. Steady state cruise test
B. Variable speed dyno test
C. High speed acceleration test
D. 2 speed idle test
Correct answer: D – 2 speed idle test
Rationale: For change of ownership, 1976-1999 gasoline vehicles receive a two-speed
idle tailpipe test, not a loaded dyno test.
3. Which of the following acronyms defines TDC? And BTDC?
A. Center dead point and before center dead
B. Top dead center and before too dead center
C. Bottom dead center and after top dead center
D. Top dead center and before top dead center
Correct answer: D – Top dead center and before top dead center
Rationale: TDC = Top Dead Center (piston at highest point); BTDC = Before Top Dead
Center (ignition timing reference).
,Page 2
4. What are directed vehicles?
A. BAR directs a portion of the enhanced area fleet to STAR certified stations for
certification
B. BAR directs a portion of the rural area fleet to basic certified stations for certification
C. BAR directs a portion of the basic area fleet to enhanced certified stations for
inspection
D. BAR directs a portion of the enhanced area fleet to standard certified stations for
maintenance
Correct answer: A – BAR directs a portion of the enhanced area fleet to STAR certified
stations for certification
Rationale: Directed vehicles are high-emitting profiles selected by BAR; they must go to
STAR stations for certification.
5. The visible smoke test consists of?
A. 3 bar snap tests
B. 2 bar idle tests
C. 5 bar pressure tests
D. 4 bar temperature tests
Correct answer: A – 3 bar snap tests
Rationale: The visible smoke test uses three snap accelerations (BAR snap test) to
check for excessive exhaust smoke.
6. If a vehicle is registered in the enhanced area but garaged in a basic area, it must
undergo?
A. Any one
B. A vehicle has an emissions system concern
C. An enhanced area inspection
D. Any two
, Correct answer: C – An enhanced area inspection
Rationale: Registration location determines the test type; enhanced area registration
requires enhanced inspection regardless of garaging address.
Page 3
7. Which of the following is NOT considered a subsystem of the computerized emission
control system?
A. Antilock brake module
B. Transmission planetary gearset
C. Power steering pump
D. Exhaust system
Correct answer: A – Antilock brake module
Rationale: ABS is a safety system, not part of the computerized emission control system.
8. Smog check program divides the state into 3 areas determined by air quality. What
are they?
A. Metropolitan, Suburban, and Conditional
B. Enhanced, Basic, and Change of Ownership
C. Urban, Rural, and Temporary
D. Advanced, Standard, and Provisional
Correct answer: B – Enhanced, Basic, and Change of Ownership
Rationale: CA smog check areas: Enhanced (poor air quality), Basic (better air quality),
Change of Ownership (transfer sales).
9. TAC (thermostatic air cleaner) – make sure air filter element is?
A. Modified with additional filters
B. Undersized and painted
C. Oversized and securely sealed
D. Not oversized and no additional holes in housing
