Old-Vehicle Scrapping Program

VEHICLE SCRAPPING PROGRAMS FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS

Regional Programs:

Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement Program (VAVR)

"Voluntary accelerated vehicle retirement (VAVR) programs, sometimes referred to as scrap or vehicle buy back programs, pay owners of eligible vehicles to voluntarily retire their older, high emitting vehicles. The primary goal of vehicle retirement programs is to reduce ozone-forming emissions by accelerating normal fleet turnover so that newer, cleaner vehicles can be put into use sooner than what would occur naturally. VAVR programs are one of the many components of the State Implementation Plan (SIP), California's comprehensive strategy to achieve the federal ozone standard throughout the state."

To Find the VAVR Program Nearest You:

• To see the Voluntary Accelerated Vehicle Retirement (VAVR) Programs in California click here.

• If you reside in the Antelope Valley, click here.

• If you reside in the Bay Area, click here.

• If you reside in the Mojave Desert, click here.

• If you reside in the San Joaquin Valley, click here.

• If you reside in the Santa Barbara County, click here.

• If you reside in the San Luis Obispo County, click here.
   

Statewide Program for Vehicles that Fail SMOG Check:

Bureau of Automotive Repair: Consumer Assistance Program (CAP):

"The Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) provides financial assistance for qualified consumers whose vehicles fail their biennial (every-other-year) Smog Check. The statutory authority for CAP is found in the Health and Safety Code and is implemented through regulations adopted by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). Participation in CAP is limited to available funds.

 

Future Statewide Program for Vehicles that Pass SMOG Check:

California is instating its own statewide program to reduce vehicle emissions through their Enhanced Car Scrap Program. The retirement incentive portion of the program will begin April 2010 and be available statewide.  The voucher program will begin in July 2010 and be available only in the South Coast and San Joaquin Valley. Through this program, one may qualify to receive money from the state for their vehicle provided their vehicle passed its last California Smog Check. For a PowerPoint PDF* that goes over the Air Resource Board's Meeting regarding the new program, click here.

* Further amendments of the PowerPoint PDF were made after the meeting:

The amendments establish fuel economy requirements for replacement vehicles, allow the use of voucher funds for transit costs if a replacement vehicle is not purchased, and require the retired vehicle to be registered at the time of transaction.

For a brief overview of the program through a news article, click here.