Star Smog Check

One way the program would reduce costs is by taking advantage of on-board diagnostic technology that has been installed on new vehicles since 1996. The program will eliminate tailpipe testing of post-1999 vehicles and instead use the vehicle's own emissions monitoring systems. This system has saved consumers in 22 states time and money.
The agency, however, countered that argument by saying that the additional costs would only be about $1,000 by 2016. Anyone wishing to sell a vehicle that is over four years old must first have a smog check performed. It is the seller's responsibility to get the smog certificate prior to the sale.



Should your vehicle pass the smog inspection, the results will be electronically sent to the DMV and you will be given a receipt and a copy of the test results also known as a Vehicle Inspection Report . If your vehicle fails to pass, the station will give you a copy of the report and inform you why your vehicle did not hold up to the test standards. In this case your vehicle will need to be repaired and retested in order to be registered. The BAR indicates a smog check is required EVERY OTHER YEAR as part of the vehicle registration process. It is also required when a vehicle changes ownership or when it is registered for the first time in California.
We provide our customers with 24 months or 24,000 miles of worry-free protection on qualifying parts and labor. When filling in the information, you should include the correct data so that you can be directed to a STAR office near you. For instance, if you come from Contra Costa County, fill in Walnut Creek on the city field if you are located on the east of San Francisco Bay area.

However, these vehicles must have a Smog Check performed if the vehicle is sold or being registered in California for the first time during that time. Test Only Stations do not perform repairs, adjustments or refer motorists to a specific repair location. A directed vehicle is required by the state to have its Smog Check performed at a station meeting certain performance standards. Stations meeting these standards are certified by the Bureau of Automotive Repair .
State law requires that a percentage of vehicles have their smog inspection performed at a STAR certified station. Vehicles selected to undergo a STAR inspection may have been identified as being more likely than others to emit excess levels of harmful pollutants. Vehicles may also be chosen as part of a random selection for the purposes of evaluating the STAR certification program.
The smog check program mandates that a portion of cars be “Directed” and those cars were directed to Test Only Smog Check Stations. The law changed in 2012 and now vehicles that are directed, are directed to a Star Certified Smog Check Station. STAR Certification - A smog check station may choose to apply an added fee for vehicle inspections which require STAR certification. The added charge may be used to subsidize the expense of maintaining equipment required to participate in the STAR certification process. Your registration renewal notice will indicate whether or not your vehicle requires a smog check inspection from a STAR certified smog center.

For newer vehicles , a $20 abatement fee is due each year to avoid the smog check. Owners of older vehicles are recommended to try and pass the test first and use the abatement fee as the last resort since passing would be much cheaper. This fee does not apply to diesel vehicles from 1998 or newer, specially constructed vehicles from 1976 or newer or nonresident vehicles. You pay for a smog check if, and only IF, the vehicle passes the smog check.
If your vehicle is 8 years old or less, you do NOT have to have your vehicle smog checked every 2 years. Instead, you'll pay an annual $20 smog abatement fee for your first 8 years of registration. After these first 8 years, you will be subject to the regular smog check program. Newcomers must have their vehicle pass the California emissions test prior to registering their vehicle in the state. This test must be done within 20 days of becoming an official resident of the state. Once you pass the smog check and receive a certificate, this must be provided when registering your vehicle at the DMV.

Under the Roadside Inspection Program vehicles are randomly inspected at checkpoints set up by the California Highway Patrol . One was to develop a method for evaluating station performance. The other was to perform inspections immediately following certifications at smog check stations.
If a smog check station receives three citations for illegal activities such as those described above, its smog check license is subject to revocation. If you have received any such citations, it is vital that you seek the help Emissions Test of a knowledgeable smog check license defense lawyer to protect your license from being taken away. Be sure to check the schedule on our website's Calendar before coming as our hours may change Due To Unforeseen Circumstances.