Your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) registration renewal indicates whether your vehicle must be inspected at a STAR station. The Information is on top of your renewal letter.

STAR stations are Smog Check stations that meet higher performance standards established by BAR. Some STAR stations are licensed to perform only tests, while others are licensed to perform both tests and repairs. The station is required to post a sign on the services it performs.

The average Smog Check inspection takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.

If the Check Engine Light is on this usually means a bad thing is going on with the vehicle. If the check engine light is on most likely it will fail at inspection. It can be very costly to repair a failed smog check vehicle. However there are shops that provide a smog check diagnostics before the test is performed.