(a) Emission control devices, accredited pursuant to Sections 43610 and 43614 of the Health and Safety Code for 1966 through 1970 model-year vehicles under 6,001 pounds gross vehicle weight, shall be installed commencing October 1, 1973 upon initial registration and upon transfer of ownership and registration, pursuant to Section 4000.1 of the Vehicle Code, and upon registration of a vehicle previously registered outside this state, pursuant to Section 4000.2 of the Vehicle Code, in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Diego. Commencing April 1, 1974, installation under this subdivision shall be statewide.

(b) Certificates of compliance shall be issued and affixed by motor vehicle pollution control device installation and inspection stations licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair at the time of any installation made pursuant to subdivision (a) above to indicate that an accredited device has been installed, or that the vehicle is exempt from mandatory installation.

(c) A window sticker, designed and sold by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and approved by the California Highway Patrol and the State Board, shall be issued and affixed by the motor vehicle pollution control device installation and inspection stations with the certificate of compliance.

(d) Whenever a vehicle is declared by a motor vehicle pollution control device installation and inspection station to be exempt from installation pursuant to the exemption list adopted by the State Board, a window sticker, designed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and approved by the California Highway Patrol and the State Board, indicating such exemption shall be issued and affixed by such station.

(e) Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4000.1(b) of the Vehicle Code, and other provisions of law, it is unlawful for the operator or owner of any vehicle which has had a window sticker affixed pursuant to subdivisions (c) and (d) above, to remove or deface said window sticker or to request, cause or permit such removal or defacement.

If any such window sticker has been removed, defaced or lost, the owner or operator of the vehicle shall immediately obtain a replacement window sticker from a motor vehicle pollution control device installation and inspection station.

(f) Vehicles with accredited or exempt devices installed pursuant to the installation schedule established in former subdivision (b) of this section on July 19, 1974 (statewide license plate installation schedule) or pursuant to the installation schedule established in former subdivision (b) of this section on September 13, 1974 (license plate installation schedule applicable to six counties in whole or in part in the South Coast Air Basin) may be removed or rendered inoperative without penalty so long as the emission control devices and other emission-related parameters of the subject vehicle are restored to manufacturer's specifications. This subdivision shall not be applicable to any vehicle for which an accredited or exempt device has been or will be installed pursuant to any change of ownership or initial registration requirement.