What STAR smog testing is and where to find it
STAR stands for Smog Check Referee Test And Repair, a California program that lets you retest your vehicle at a referee station if you failed a regular smog test. Referee stations are run by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and are separate from regular smog shops — they exist specifically to retest vehicles and resolve disputes about test results.
You do not need a referee station unless you have already failed a smog test at a regular shop. If you passed, you are done. If you failed and want a second opinion before paying for repairs, or if you believe the test was wrong, a referee station will retest your vehicle for a lower fee and can tell you whether the original failure was accurate.
To find a STAR referee station near you, go to the Bureau of Automotive Repair website (bar.ca.gov) and use their referee station locator tool. You can search by city, county, or zip code. The tool shows you the station address, phone number, hours, and whether they handle your vehicle type (some stations work only on cars, others on trucks or motorcycles too).
Key Takeaways
- STAR referee stations are run by California's Bureau of Automotive Repair and retest vehicles that failed regular smog tests.
- You can find a referee station using the BAR locator tool on bar.ca.gov, which shows addresses, hours, and what vehicle types each station accepts.
- Referee testing costs less than a regular smog test and can help you determine whether repairs are actually needed before you pay for them.
- You must bring your original smog test failure notice and vehicle registration to the referee station.
When you need a STAR referee test
You need a referee test if your vehicle failed a regular smog test and you want to know whether that failure was correct. This is useful in two situations: first, if you want a second opinion before spending money on repairs, and second, if you think the original test was performed incorrectly or the equipment was faulty.
Referee stations cannot tell you which repairs to make — that is not their role. What they do is retest your vehicle under the same standards as the original test and tell you whether it truly fails or passes. If it passes at the referee station, the original test result is overturned and you do not need repairs. If it fails again, you know repairs are necessary.
You have a time limit to request a referee test. In most cases, you must request it within 30 days of the original test failure. Check your failure notice for the exact important date, as it may vary depending on when and where you were tested.
What to bring to a STAR referee station
Bring your original smog test failure notice and your vehicle registration. The failure notice shows the test results and the station where you were tested. The registration proves you own the vehicle and shows the vehicle identification number (VIN).
Some referee stations may also ask for your driver's license. Call ahead to confirm what documents the specific station near you requires — phone numbers are listed in the BAR locator tool. If you cannot find your original failure notice, contact the smog shop where you were tested and ask them to provide a copy or the test results.
How much STAR referee testing costs
Referee test fees are set by the Bureau of Automotive Repair and are lower than regular smog test fees. The exact cost varies slightly by station and vehicle type, but you can expect to pay roughly half what a regular smog test costs. Call the referee station directly for their current fee, since prices can change.
If your vehicle passes the referee test, you pay only the test fee and no repairs are needed. If it fails, you still pay only the test fee — the referee station does not perform repairs. You would then take your vehicle to a repair shop of your choice if you decide repairs are necessary.
What happens after your referee test
The referee station will give you a written test result on the spot or within a few days. If you pass, that result overturns your original failure and you are done — no repairs needed. If you fail, the referee station confirms that repairs are necessary and you can take your vehicle to any repair shop you choose.
Keep your referee test result. You will need it if you later register your vehicle or if you have questions about the original test. If you dispute the referee result itself, you can file a complaint with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, though this is rare.
Finding a referee station that handles your vehicle type
Not all referee stations test all vehicle types. Some test only passenger cars, while others also handle light trucks, heavy trucks, or motorcycles. The BAR locator tool shows which vehicle types each station accepts, so check before you call or drive there.
If the nearest station does not handle your vehicle type, the locator tool will show you the next closest option. In rural areas, the nearest referee station may be 30 or more miles away, so plan your trip accordingly and call ahead to confirm hours.
What to do if you cannot find a referee station nearby
If no referee station is listed near you on the BAR website, contact the Bureau of Automotive Repair directly at (916) 445-7555 or through their website. They can tell you whether a station serves your area or whether you should contact a different county's BAR office.
In some very rural areas, referee stations may be limited or may operate only on certain days. The BAR can also tell you about mobile referee units if they operate in your region, though these are less common than fixed stations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to a referee station without failing a regular smog test first?
No. Referee stations only retest vehicles that have already failed a regular smog test. You must have a failure notice from a regular smog shop to request a referee test.
How long does a STAR referee test take?
Most referee tests take 30 minutes to an hour, similar to a regular smog test. Some stations may have a wait, so call ahead to ask about current wait times or whether you should make an appointment.
What if I fail the referee test too?
If you fail at the referee station, that result is final and you will need repairs to pass smog. You can take your vehicle to any repair shop — you are not required to use the referee station or the original shop where you failed.
Do I need an appointment at a STAR referee station?
Some referee stations take walk-ins, while others require appointments. The BAR locator tool or a phone call to the station will tell you their policy. Calling ahead is always a good idea to avoid a long wait.
Can a referee station tell me what repairs I need?
No. Referee stations only test and report results. They do not diagnose what is wrong with your vehicle. If you fail, you will need to take your vehicle to a repair shop for diagnosis and repair work.