(a) The owner of a motor vehicle that has been registered without substantial lapse, as defined by the department, in the state for at least two years prior to vehicle retirement, and that has failed the most recent smog check inspection for that vehicle, may retire the vehicle from operation at a dismantler under contract with the bureau, at any time after learning of the smog check failure. The department shall pay a person who retires his or her vehicle under this section one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for a low-income motor vehicle owner, as defined in Section 44062.1, and one thousand dollars ($1,000) for all other motor vehicle owners. The department may pay a motor vehicle owner more than these amounts based on factors, including, but not limited to, the age of the vehicle, the emission benefit of the vehicle’s retirement, the emission impact of any replacement vehicle, and the location of the vehicle in an area of the state with the poorest air quality.
(b) The department may permit vehicle retirement pursuant to subdivision (a) for any motor vehicle that has been registered without substantial lapse, as defined by the department, in the state for at least two years prior to vehicle retirement, and that fails any type of smog check inspection lawfully performed in the state.
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 437, Sec. 2. (SB 459) Effective January 1, 2014.)