Q.Do repairs I make to my vehicle count toward the $450 cost repair minimum?
The only emissions-related repairs which count toward the $450 minimum are those completed by a licensed smog technician in a licensed smog station after the vehicle has failed a smog test. Although BAR does not discourage the home mechanic from making the necessary emissions repairs to his or her vehicle, home repairs do not qualify as credit toward the $450 minimum.

Q. Why don't light-duty, diesel-powered vehicles have to get a Smog Check?
A. Inclusion of light-duty diesel-fueled vehicles was considered during development of the Smog Check Program and they may be included in the future. Testing methods and strategies are still under evaluation at this time.

Q. Have California vehicle emissions standards changed?
A. In 1996, BAR adjusted some standards to increase their fairness. As a result, some standards are slightly more stringent than they were previously and some are slightly more lenient than before. Updated emissions standards categories were created for many of the newer cars; the new groupings take into consideration the dramatic changes in automotive technology which have occurred during the past 15 years. California's emissions standards consider the model year, vehicle type, and gross vehicle weight. Older cars have looser standards than n ewer ones.No vehicle is ever held to a standard intended for a car which is newer or technologically more advanced, and allowance is made for normal wear and tear in a vehicle's emissions control system as it ages. In fact, Smog Check failure rates for all vehicles have decreased since the new guidelines were implemented.

Q. How can I be sure a smog technician has had proper training?
A. Technicians licensed by the Bureau to conduct emissions testing must meet very stringent requirements for education and experience and must pass a written qualification exam. Continuing education is required and advanced licensing is necessary for those technicians inspecting and repairing vehicles in Enhanced Areas (California's smoggiest urban areas). To be sure the individual inspecting or repairing your car is licensed, look at his or her license posted in the station. The license contains the technician's photograph.

Q. How can I be sure a smog technician has had proper training?
A. Technicians licensed by the Bureau to conduct emissions testing must meet very stringent requirements for education and experience and must pass a written qualification exam. Continuing education is required and advanced licensing is necessary for those technicians inspecting and repairing vehicles in Enhanced Areas (California's smoggiest urban areas). To be sure the individual inspecting or repairing your car is licensed, look at his or her license posted in the station. The license contains the technician's photograph.
Licensing requirements cannot always ensure a technician's work ethic or product. Therefore, the Bureau of Automotive Repair's I/M Field Operations Division strictly monitors technicians and stations for fraudulent activities and takes legal action against those who are involved in such activities, including the revocation of licenses.
In addition to licensing information, the Bureau of Automotive Repair issues a monthly newsletter, Auto Repair and Smog Check News, emphasizing technical and legal information about the Smog Check Program. This publication is received by approximately 36,000 individuals, including Smog Check station owners and technicians, and is also available on this Web site's General Information main tab from its Libraries menu item by following the link for Auto Repair and Smog Check News.

Q. How can I be sure a Smog Check analyzer machine is accurate?
A. All Smog Check inspection equipment must be BAR certified and in doing so meets stringent accuracy standards. Additionally, BAR certified Smog Check equipment requires calibration every three days. If the Smog Check equipment is not calibrated within that period of time, the equipment will not allow further tests until a full calibration is complete. In addition, if the equipment experiences any type of system failure, it will automatically lock out the technician from conducting further tests until a representative of the equipment manufacturer or the Bureau of Automotive Repair has identified and corrected any problems. These procedures apply to all BAR certified Smog Check equipment, whether the equipment is being used at a Smog Check station or at a Referee facility.

Q. What if I go to the DMV to register my vehicle and my electronic Smog Certificate is not there?
A. If you are going to register your car in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) field office, be sure to bring your Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) and any notices sent by the DMV with you. When you pay for a smog inspection at a licensed Smog Check station, they are required to give you a copy of the VIR generated by the Smog Check analyzer, which states whether your car passed or failed and the level of pollutants emitted. Located on the VIR is an identification number which will help the DMV track your electronic certificate.

Q. I received a "Notice of Incomplete Registration" from the DMV requesting a smog certification. What do I do?
A. The DMV sends this notice when it cannot locate a Smog Check certificate for your vehicle. You may do one of two things:

• If you have not yet completed a Smog Check inspection, do so. Once DMV receives the electronic transmission, the DMV database will be updated and your registration and sticker will be issued. No further action is required on your part.
• If you have already successfully completed a Smog Check inspection and 30 days have elapsed, contact DMV for additional instructions.

Q. Is the Smog Check program biased against older vehicles?
A. No. While California law requires the Smog Check program to focus on high-polluting vehicles, it does not discriminate based on vehicle age or a specific vehicle make or model. All types and model years of vehicles can be a high emitter, which is based on a comparison of each vehicle with similar makes, models and years. Furthermore, Smog Check does not require owners of "classic" or "older" vehicles to retrofit these vehicles to meet newer standards. BAR's emissions take into consideration the age, make and model of each vehicle. No vehicle is held to a more stringent standard than the standard which applied when the vehicle was new.

Q. I am not sure that my smog test was done properly. Who do I call ?
A. Call the Referee Scheduling Center at 1-800-622-7733 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to make an appointment. The Referee system assists consumers with concerns about smog test procedures and vehicle emission equipment requirements. In addition, Referees can issue limited parts exemptions and repair cost waivers, inspect vehicles incompatible with testing at smog stations and perform inspections for some Vehicle Code Violations.

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