What must the owner do now that it has failed again?

• A. Spend at least $450.00 and apply for a cost waiver
• B. Replace the catalytic converter
• C. Ignore the failure and drive as usual
• D. Submit an automatic waiver regardless of cost

Answer: (A)

After a smog check failure, California allows an exception if you’ve already tried repairs and spent a substantial amount. If two repair attempts have failed again, you may qualify for a cost waiver. The owner must spend at least $450 on qualifying emissions-related repairs and then apply for the waiver with BAR/DMV. If the waiver is approved, the vehicle can be registered despite the failure.

This option is the correct one because the cost waiver hinges on reaching that $450 repair threshold and submitting the waiver application. Replacing the catalytic converter isn’t a mandated step for the waiver, ignoring the failure isn’t allowed, and there isn’t an automatic waiver without the cost criterion being met.