California has offered this waiver (I'm not sure if it still does), but you
are allowed only a 1 time exemption for that registration year.  The next
time (2 years from the last test and/or waiver) you are not allowed another
exemption.  Either fix the problem completely, sell the vehicle out of state
or scrap it out.

This may have changed when the state introduced the "Gross Polluter" program
in the past few years, see the links below for the latest information.

Basically in California, depending on the county and/or zip code residence
has essentially 3 levels of Smog tests, the first two being every two years.
Some counties, where the pollution level has been determined to be not so
bad (relatively speaking of course,) is what is called Smog Check I.
Vehicles in Smog Check I counties are not dyno tested, just idle and 2500
rpm no load test.  Smog II which comprises of most of the state in high
pollution areas (LA, SF Bay, Central Valley, etc.,) is where the dyno
testing takes place.  The third area which consists of VERY FEW rural
counties only requires a Smog I level test when the vehicle is sold.

Info links:

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smog.htm

http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/stdhome.asp

Jim Thompson
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
oldvolkshome@earthlink.net
jim@karmannghia.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
************************
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Edwards" <bhs73@SPYMAC.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 2:03 PM
Subject: Re: emission ethics

> In Utah, if your vehicle fails the emissions test, there is a maximum
> amount of cash you are required to spend to get it to pass. If your
> repairs exceed that amount, you get a waiver, even if it still fails. Its
> an annual thing, and not very cost effective, but its a way around it.
> Five years ago, the amount required on my 1984 Chevette was $300. I would
> imagine a vanagon would be even less.
>
> Do other states alllow this kind of waiver option?