Generally, no — if your vehicle keeps its current registration and plates from your home state or last duty station, is owned by you or your spouse, isn't operated commercially for hire, and is insured, California's nonresident-military rule (VC §6701) lets you drive it here without California registration. But there is no military exemption from the smog check itself: if the vehicle is (or becomes) registered in California — including a car you buy in California — a smog inspection certification is required, active duty or not. Check your specific situation with DMV or ask the shop before assuming either way.
VC §6701 (nonresident military): lets an active-duty member operate a vehicle in CA on valid home-state/duty-station plates if the plates and vehicle are issued to/owned by the member or spouse, the vehicle isn't used commercially for compensation, and financial responsibility (insurance) is in force
No smog exemption for military — DMV states explicitly: 'if the vehicle is to be registered in California, a smog inspection certification is required,' with no carve-out for active duty or veteran status
Buying a used car IN California (private party or dealer) puts you into California's standard registration/titling process, which requires a smog cert from the seller at sale — unless the car is less than 4 model years old, in which case the buyer pays a smog transfer fee instead of getting an inspection
The Vehicle License Fee (VLF) exemption for military stationed in CA (REG 5045 form) is a separate benefit from registration status and smog — it waives a fee, it does not waive the smog requirement
Edge cases (CA-resident spouse, accepting CA employment, titling changes) can affect your registration status — DMV's own pages don't give one definitive trigger list for active-duty personnel, so confirm your specific case with DMV directly rather than assuming
California DMV — Vehicle Information for Military Personnel in California, and DMV Smog Inspections page (dmv.ca.gov). Not a BAR-specific rule; DMV controls the registration trigger that determines when smog applies.
Related questions
I just moved to CA — when do I need smog?You need a smog check at your first California registration application — within 20 days of moving.
Do you offer a military or veteran discount on smog checks?At Cal Smog Network stations: Yes — active-duty military and veterans receive a discount on their smog check. Just mention it at the counter and show a valid military or
Do you offer a military discount on smog checks near Naval Base San Diego?At Cal Smog Network stations: Yes — we're a short drive up from Naval Base San Diego, and active-duty military and veterans receive a discount on their smog check. Mentio