The Consumer
Assistance Program (CAP) offers two options to help California
consumers whose
vehicles fail their biennial (every other year) Smog Check. If
you intend to apply to the Consumer Assistance Program, do not
have any repairs performed on your vehicle.
CAP
programs are limited to available funds.
REPAIR ASSISTANCE
Qualified motorists can receive up
to $500 in emissions-related repairs through
CAP’s Repair Assistance
Program. Eligible consumers must take their vehicles to Gold
Shield repair stations which are authorized
to perform repair assistance services. Motorists may qualify for
Repair Assistance in one of two ways:
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Income Eligible – Motorists whose household incomes are at or below
185% of the federal
poverty guidelines qualify for repair assistance. For example,
a family of four whose income
does not exceed $2,983 per month, or $35,798 per year, would
qualify for up to $500
in repair
assistance. Qualified consumers must pay the first $20 towards
diagnosis and/or emissions-
related repairs.
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Test-Only Eligible – Certain vehicles are required to have their Smog
Checks done at stations
that perform only tests, and no repairs. If your vehicle’s DMV
registration renewal notice
requires a Test-Only inspection, your vehicle may qualify for up to $500 in
repair assistance.
Qualified consumers must pay the first $100 towards diagnosis
and/or emissions-related repairs.
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VEHICLE
RETIREMENT
The Vehicle Retirement Program is available to motorists who
want to voluntarily retire their vehicle rather than repair it.
Eligible consumers can receive
$1,000 in exchange for their vehicle. Approved
vehicles must be driven to one of the state’s authorized
dismantlers where they are crushed.
APPLY FIRST
You must first submit an application and have it approved,
making you and your car eligible for the program. You will then
receive a list of participating stations or dismantlers where
you can take your car to have it repaired or retired.
Click here to obtain a
CAP application.
For more information on the Bureau of Automotive Repair, visit
www.smogcheck.ca.gov,
and remember to “Drive Smart California.”
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