But environmentalists are preparing to sue the state, saying it has not done enough to clean the air. Motorists can receive more money if their vehicles are lost causes. The smog test requirement applies only to middle-aged cars, leading some to question its effectiveness.
New cars are exempt for the first four years after purchase.
So are vehicles built before 1974, despite the fact they contribute a disproportionate amount of emissions. Researchers have found auto emissions test programs reduce smog, but at much lower levels than expected. For example, California air quality regulators said the current program is much better than the one only a year before, but only achieved 60 percent of the expected emission reductions. Disappointed environmentalists are poised to sue the state September 18. There's more they need to do to bring the program up to 100 percent.