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STAR Program Fact Sheet
On January 1, 2013, the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) implemented an important change to the Smog Check Program. The STAR Program is the result of state legislation (AB 2289, Statutes of 2010) and years of planning to improve the Smog Check Program. One of the AB 2289 reforms establishes performance standards for Smog Check stations and inspectors. BAR certifies stations meeting program eligibility requirements.
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STAR Program
What is a STAR station? STAR stations are Smog Check stations that meet higher performance standards established by the Bureau of Automotive Repair. Some STAR stations are licensed to perform only tests, while others are licensed to perform both tests and repairs. The station is required to post a sign on the services it performs.
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California Smog Check Program
The California Smog Check Program requires vehicles that were manufactured in 1976 or later to participate in the biennial (every two years) smog check program in participating counties. The program’s stated aim is to reduce air pollution from vehicles by ensuring that cars with excessive emissions are repaired in accordance with federal and state guidelines. With some exceptions, gas-powered vehicles that are six years old or newer are not required to participate; instead, these vehicles pay a smog abatement fee for the first 6 years in place of being required to pass a smog check. The six-year exception does not apply to nonresident (previously registered out-of-state) vehicles being registered in California for the first time, diesel vehicles 1998 model or newer and weighing 14,000 lbs or less, or specially constructed vehicles 1976 and newer.[3] The program is a joint effort between the California Air Resources Board, the California Bureau of […]
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Smog Check Inspection
Smog Checks are required biennially (every other year) on vehicles more than six model-years old. Additionally, a Smog Check is required if you sell a vehicle that is more than four model-years old and when registering an out-of-state vehicle for the first time in California.
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Smog check impact evaluation
According to the California Air Resources Board, the California Smog Check program removes about 400 tons of smog-forming pollutants from California’s air every day. On March 12, 2009, the Bureau of Automotive Repair and the Air Resource Board hired Sierra Research, Inc. to analyze the data collected in the BAR’s Roadside Inspection Program to evaluate the effectiveness of the Smog Check Program from data collected in 2003–2006. Under the Roadside Inspection Program vehicles are randomly inspected at checkpoints set up by the California Highway Patrol (CHP). One objective of the evaluation was to compare the post smog check performance of pre-1996 (1974–1995) vehicles to the post smog check performance determined from a previous evaluation collected in 2000–2002.The report made several recommendations to reduce the number of vehicles failing the Roadside test. One was to develop a method for evaluating station performance. The other was to perform inspections immediately following certifications […]
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What vehicles require a Smog Check?
Gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model year 1976 and newer require a Smog Check
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What are the elements of a Smog Check?
Smog Checks are designed to measure the amount and type of pollutants your vehicle is emitting.
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History of the Smog Check Program
The first “Smog Check” program was implemented in March 1984. It came about as a result of “SB 33” which was passed in 1982