WHAT IS STAR CERTIFIED?
We Can Handle Your Special Smog Test Requirements!
If your vehicle registration renewal says “SMOG certification required at a STAR station,” then you need to make a visit to a STAR station. Come see us today!
In order to comply with state law, the California Department of Consumer Affairs / Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA / BAR) directs a portion of the vehicles registered in Enhanced Smog Check Areas to test-only stations. Enhanced Areas are those parts of the state with “serious,” “severe,” or “extreme” ozone pollution problems.
What is a STAR station?
Some vehicles require a smog check at a STAR station. STAR stations must meet specified performance standards established by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). 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.
High Emitter Profile
The majority of vehicles directed to STAR stations are selected by application of the High Emitter Profile (HEP), which identifies the vehicles most likely to fail their smog checks. The HEP uses data from several different sources. Some of it comes from the state Vehicle Identification Database (VID), which collects data from each smog check performed in California. The VID is used by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), BAR, and other government agencies. The HEP is defined by a number of different types of general vehicle data, such as make, model year, vehicle miles traveled, high mileage, very low mileage for age, emissions-related recalls / technical service bulletins, a history of failing smog tests, information on whether the vehicle was tested by a technician / station that received a citation, pattern problems, and engine size.
This information is used to determine which vehicles are most likely to fail their smog checks, especially at Gross Polluter levels — at least two times the emissions level allowed for a particular vehicle. No single factor identifies a vehicle for a smog check to be done at a STAR station. The data is weighted, and the vehicles selected using this computer profiling of vehicles are most likely to fail their smog check. DCA / BAR has gradually increased the number of vehicles directed to STAR stations to meet the air quality improvement goals of the State Implementation Plan (SIP). The SIP is a blueprint outlining the methods California will use to meet federal air quality standards.
Two Percent Randomly Selected
As required by state law, two percent of the vehicles in the Enhanced Areas are also directed to STAR stations for their smog checks. These vehicles are selected randomly to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the Smog Check Program.
How Motorists are Notified
The DMV notifies owners when their vehicles have been selected to have their smog checks performed at STAR stations. The registration renewal notice sent for these vehicles will say “Smog Certification Required at a STAR Station.”
Consumer Assistance Program
You may qualify for up to $500 in financial assistance to repair your car if it required a smog check at a STAR station and failed that test. For more information on the Consumer Assistance Program, visit the state’s BAR website at www.smogcheck.ca.gov.
Whether your vehicle is due for its biannual check or you are planning to sell or register your car in California, Smogg Only offers great service at a smog check price you’ll love. We’ll also help you identify the cause of any emissions test failure so you can address it quickly for an easy recheck. You can reach us today today at (510) 538-8987 (Hayward) or (650) 206-4169 (Colma) or at (408) 749-1964 (Sunnyvale) – for more information about vehicle emissions testing.
Whether your vehicle is due for its biannual check or you are planning to sell or register your car in California, Smogg Only offers great service at a smog check price you’ll love. We’ll also help you identify the cause of any emissions test failure so you can address it quickly for an easy recheck. You can reach us today today at (510) 991-7711 Fremont, (510) 538-8987 Hayward, or at (408) 749-1964 Sunnyvale – – for more information about vehicle emissions testing.