STAR Smog Check in Escondido, CA

STAR is a California Bureau of Automotive Repair program. Stations in it must meet the performance standards the BAR sets, and the BAR continues to evaluate them. When a DMV notice requires a STAR station, only a STAR station can certify that vehicle. We test vehicles without that requirement too.

The vehicle and the DMV renewal notice. Bring the documents DMV sent you as well if the car is being sold or was registered in another state.

Most vehicles need a smog check every two years at registration renewal. Gasoline vehicles eight model years old or newer are generally exempt from that requirement and pay a smog abatement fee instead. Smog certification is also commonly required when ownership changes and at a vehicle's first California registration. Your DMV notice tells you what applies to your vehicle.

We explain the report, a licensed repair station you choose fixes it, and our $30 smog retest applies within 30 days.

Hybrids follow the gas-car schedule, and we test them. For a diesel, call (760) 690-2360 first so we can confirm we can test it; diesel rules turn on model year and weight rating.

Generally, yes. Transferring a car's registration to California from another state normally comes with a smog requirement, apart from exempt vehicles such as pure EVs. Bring the car and anything DMV has mailed you.