A STAR Test Only Station Meets STAR Program Guidelines and a Smog Test Only Does Not
I know it's confusing. The STAR program completely changes the smog check industry and in particular affects consumers whose vehicles have been directed to a STAR smog test station. In the past a certain number of vehicles have been directed to Smog Test Only smog check stations. Now all directed vehichles will be required to go to a STAR certified smog check station. A STAR certified station can be a test only station OR a test and repair station. The only thing that matters is that it is STAR certified.
Are All Smog Test Only Stations STAR Stations?
No! In fact I would say that most Test Only smog stations are not STAR certified. The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR)made the requirements for STAR certification much more difficult. Many smog test only stations did not meet these criteria. In fact, the number of STAR certified stations in not that many. If you want to find STAR smog check locations you can go the this page at the BAR or check out this STAR smog station list site which as a nice map and allows you to enter a city or zip code. The good news is that it does not matter if the location is Test Only or Test and Repair. The only thing that matters is that it is STAR Certified.
Do I Have to Have my Car Smog Checked at a STAR Station?
No. You only need to go to a STAR smog check station if your notice from the DMV directs you to a STAR station. If your notice does not direct you then you can go to a regular smog test only, or certified STAR smog test only or STAR smog test and repair station.