Why Smog Check?

Studies show that smog affects the health of more than one in five Californians and that the greatest harm is done to children, athletes and the elderly. According to the California Air Resources Board, air pollution may be a contributing factor in the 80,000 deaths that occur from heart and lung diseases in our state each year. Furthermore, the American Academy of Pediatrics tells us smog levels in most cities could scar children's lung permanently. Since it began in 1984, Smog Check has reduced harmful vehicle emissions by more that 18 percent. with the help of California's drivers, a new emissions-reduction goal of 25 percent can be reached by the year 2000.

What is a Referee?

A referee is a privately run testing facility under contract to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR). The referee assists motorists who are unable to obtain a smog certificate from a licensed smog check station.

Who is Eligible for Referee Assistance?

Motorists are eligible for help from a referee under various conditions, including the following:

	Your vehicle failed, and you think it was improperly tested or repaired at a licensed smog check station.
	No repairs or adjustments can be made within the cost limit.
	Repairs have been made up to the cost limit and your vehicle still fails the Smog Check inspection.
	Your vehicle is exempt from Smog Check, but you received a DMV renewal notice stamped "Smog Check Required".
	Your engine has been changed with an engine not originally offered for that year, make or model vehicle.
	You have a nonconforming vehicle, such as gray market, specially constructed car, etc.
	You want verification of your vehicle's emission control warranty.
	A required emission control part is not available.

For all failed vehicles: Do you have your Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR)? Have you checked your vehicle warranty? Did you authorize and receive a written estimate from the repair shop? Did the technician diagnose and explain what repairs you vehicle needs? Did you have your vehicle retested and certified at a licensed Smog Check station?

For gross polluters: Did the technician perform an after-repairs test on your vehicle and provide you with a VIR? Did you have the repairs verified and the vehicle certified at a test-only/referee center?

These are the steps you should take to get your vehicle repaired and retested if it fails a Smog Check inspection.

Be sure to get a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) from the technician who tested your vehicle. Find out why your vehicle failed. Sometimes the technician can give you an idea or reason for the failure. In other cases, the technician must diagnose the cause of the failure. At this point, you know repairs are required. Check your vehicle warranty to see if the necessary repairs are covered by the manufacturer. Vehicle warranties vary, so contact your local dealer or Redwood General Tire. Take your vehicle to a licenses test and repair station. Remember, if you do the work yourself or have it done at an unlicensed shop, any money spent will not apply toward the Repair Cost Waiver. By law, the repair shop must provide you with a written estimate of both the diagnosis and repair work which you must authorize before any work is done on your vehicle. Remember, you are contracting with the repair station to perform the repairs needed to bring your vehicle into compliance with smog check laws, so: Make sure the work order clearly states the repairs you are getting for your money and that the repairs will correct your vehicles emission problems. Ask the repair station if it will provide you with a written warranty for the repairs performed. Once the vehicle is repaired, have it  retested at licensed Smog Check station. Remember, there are different certification requirements for "gross polluters" and vehicles missing, modified or disconnected emissions control equipment

Updated 2006/07/10