Welcome to Deals On Smog, the premier place to find smog check deals, STAR Program introduction page. Beginning January 2013, all smog check stations, whether they are test and repair or test only, need to be certified by the STAR program to be able to test DMV directed or gross polluting vehicles. AB 2289 (Eng, Chapter 258, Statutes of 2010).

All licensed smog check stations and smog check technicians will have the opportunity to check their STAR scores on the California Bureau of Automotive Repair website starting January 2012.

The STAR program will start in January of 2013. What does this mean for the consumer? There isn’t much different. Starting 2013 Gas Cap test and timing check will not be performed on 1996 and newer vehicles. Dynamometer testing will not be required for year models 2000 and newer vehicles. We’re not sure of the availability of the STAR approved smog stations after January 1st, 2013. As of right now, half of the smog stations in California do not qualify for the program.

The regulations are much more stringent for a Smog Check Station or Smog Test And Repair Station to become STAR approved and certified. They have to have passing scores in their report card. There is the short term measure and the long term measure. They have to have passing scores on both their short term pass rate and the long term FPR (follow up pass rate) to be able to qualify for the Star program.

Please check back with us for more information about the STAR program and how it will affect you after January 2013. You can also check the Bureau of Automotive repair website directly for more information this.