I can't get my car to pass smog and want to retire it but am having title issues

The car is a 1994 Ford Probe and it was originally in my moms name and she had it transferred to me. The registration was out of date and the car was due for a smog but now I can't seem to get it to pass smog for a bunch of expensive reasons. I don't really need a car right now so I want to retire it to the government for $1500 but because the registration is past due, I can't get my pink slip. Can I claim it as non oporational, pay the registration, and get the slip through Plan Non Op only to later rebate it through the early vehicle retirement program?

Plan Non Op only gives you a "registration". It does not give you a "pink slip" (title).

Registration and title are two completely different things, the title is the proof of ownership that mom signed and gave to you, it had nothing to do with the annual registration.

Also most states that allow "non op" status it must be done before registration is due, not after.

You mention $1500, which leads me to think you are in CA and looking to take advantage of SB 459. If so, read the following…

The program is being temporarily taken out of commission while they revamp the plan, but look for it to return in 2015. The purpose will be to re-launch the program with more marketing behind it to encourage people to get their higher emissions cars off the road.

There's some uncertainty that the program so far has made a measurable difference. Because most of the cars that have been traded in aren't even registered with the state, according to the CEPA study so there's some uncertainty about if these cars were even being driven on the road.