The California DMV requires vehicles undergo one of two different smog check types based randomly or determined by a vehicle’s specific smog check history.

Your DMV registration documents will mention either, Smog Certification Required, in which case you can visit any smog station, or Smog Certification Required at a STAR station, in which case your vehicle will need to be inspected at a STAR Test Only station or STAR Test & Repair station.

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If you do not have DMV paperwork and are not sure of the type of smog check your car, truck, van, SUV, or motorhome needs please call the California DMV at (800)777-0133 to inquire.

Older vehicles typically need STAR smog checks, where newer models are allowed to obtain a smog test at any smog station.

A. Smog Certification Required

See sample (A) below: Locate the smog check requirement section on your DMV paperwork. If the DMV only mentions Smog Certification Required, you may take your vehicle to any Smog Check station. So long as there is no mention of STAR, your vehicle is considered to require a “regular” smog check and it can be tested at any smog station which performs smog inspections. These stations include:

• Test Only centers
• Test & Repair centers
• STAR Test Only stations
• STAR Test & Repair stations

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All smog test stations in California can perform “regular” smog checks. A “regular” smog check is all that is required when obtaining a smog check for initial California registration, or when buying or selling a vehicle in California three months prior to the vehicle’s registration expiration date.

B. Smog Certification Required at a STAR station

See sample (B) below: If your DMV paperwork mentions Smog Certification Required at a STAR station, your vehicle must be inspected at one of these stations. Some STAR stations are only authorized to perform smog inspections. These stations are known as STAR Test Only stations. Other STAR certified smog centers can perform smog inspections as well as smog check repairs. These smog stations are known as STAR Test & Repair stations. Both STAR stations are allowed to perform regular and STAR smog checks.

• STAR Test Only Centers are only authorized to perform smog inspections and are not allowed to perform smog check repairs.
• STAR Test & Repair Stations are authorized to perform STAR smog inspections, as well as repair and certify all vehicles.

If the DMV is asking for “Smog Certificate Required at a STAR station” you can visit either of these smog test centers.

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Category: WHY