Test-Only stations are licensed by the state only to perform tests on vehicles. They are prohibited from performing any repair services. Gross Polluters can also be certified at these stations.

The Department of Motor Vehicles renewal notice will indicate whether a Smog Check is required to re- register your vehicle. Most areas of the state require vehicles to have a Smog Check performed every two years, when being sold, and when being initially registered in California.

Not all vehicles must get a Smog Check. Smog Check need depends on the type of vehicle, the model-year, and the area in which the vehicle is registered. Additionally, some vehicles only need a Smog Check when they are being sold or being registered in California after previously being registered in another state.

If you received a DMV renewal notice saying “Smog Certification Required at a STAR station,” you’re at the right place. Victor Valley Smog Center is a STAR-certified station — the DMV has directed your vehicle to a station that’s monitored by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and meets the higher standards the BAR sets.

STAR smog stations will be able to issue a certificate of compliance to a vehicle passing a smog check when a motorist is referred by the DMV to such a station for vehicle registration renewal. A non “star” station may not issue a certificate to the motorist’s vehicle. They may however, test and issue certificates to vehicles not directed by the DMV to a “STAR” smog check station.

Smog test only stations are not allowed to profit or perform any auto repairs, whether smog check related or not. In the past smog test only centers typically charged more for their smog inspection in order to cover their expenses. In today’s market however, with competition being so great, and the fact that there are plenty of test only directed vehicles to go around, the cost of the test only smog check has been dramatically reduced.

Proper and regular maintenance according to your Owner’s Manual, and not tampering with the Smog control equipment are keys to passing Smog Check and lowering Smog from your vehicle. Also a good 15 minute drive helps to ensure a proper warm-up of all emission related components which helps out in the Smog part of the smog check.

First and foremost we’ll help explain to you why you failed and some suggestions as to what to do next. You will also need to get your vehicle repaired so it can pass its Smog Check retest in order to complete your registration.

Please check California Bureau of Automotive Repair website for step by step procedures.

Please refer to California Bureau of Automotive Repair website where you can enter license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN) to check the history.

CAP may offer financial help toward repairs if your vehicle fails a smog check at a test-only station, and it runs an option to retire eligible high-polluting vehicles. Amounts and eligibility are set by the state — check the Bureau of Automotive Repair website for the current details.

CAP offers two options for consumers whose vehicles fail their biennial Smog Check.

Some vehicles that fail their smog inspections give off such high levels of pollution that a category called “Gross Polluter” was created.
BAR identifies these vehicles to encourage their immediate repair. Gross Polluters are some of the worst polluting vehicles on California roadways.