Smog Referees work with the public, perform inspections and testing of vehicles for smog certification, and help train community college students for careers in the smog check field. Join a team of committed professionals working across 31 community college campuses to reduce air pollution for all Californians.
What does a Smog Check Referee do in California?
The Smog Check Referee Program provides Californians with a vast array of smog check and vehicle resources. Referee stations have the equipment and training necessary to inspect and test vehicles other stations are not authorized to test, and operate by standards set by the state of California. Answering smog check questions.
What is the purpose of the Smog Check program guide?
This guide is intended to serve as a reference for Smog Check stations, inspectors, and repair technicians. It provides information to assist licensees comply with Smog Check Program requirements, including the following areas: Section I - Program Description:
What services does the bar referee provide?
In general, the BAR Referee provides services to accommodate unusual Smog Check circumstances not common to ordinary vehicles or stations. Referee inspection services can apply in the following circumstances: • The consumer feels that his or her vehicle was tested and/or repaired improperly, which resulted in a Smog Check failure.
What special services fall under the State Referee program?
The special services that fall under the State Referee program are smog check inspection review, parts locator service, law enforcement citations, verification of smog check exemption, inspections for unusual vehicles and repair cost waivers. Smog Check Inspection Review
What happens at a smog referee?
If you have concerns about the results of your Smog Check, a Referee can provide a third-party evaluation. Resolving a citation. A Referee can inspect your vehicle and provide guidance for bringing it into compliance if you have received a ticket for modified emissions controls or excessive exhaust noise.
What do state refs check for?
The special services that fall under the State Referee program are smog check inspection review, parts locator service, law enforcement citations, verification of smog check exemption, inspections for unusual vehicles and repair cost waivers.
What is referee inspection?
Related Definitions Referee inspection means an emissions inspection conducted by the Administration or the Department for the purpose of resolving disputes or gathering data.]
What do smog techs look for?
In addition to the emissions test, the technicians are looking for anything tampered, broken, aftermarket parts, ignition timing, fuel cap test, fuel tank pressure test, and they will even check if there is excessive smoke coming out of the tailpipe.
How much is a state ref ticket?
The fee for a Referee noise inspection certificate is $108. Receiving a certificate may not necessarily remedy the violation and the court could still issue a fine in addition to the Referee fee.
How do I bypass smog in California?
If your vehicle is temporarily located out of state and the California Department of Motor Vehicles has required it undergo a smog check inspection for registration renewal, you may file a REG 5103 (Application for Temporary Smog Exemption for a Vehicle Located Out of State) in order to bypass or skip the smog check ...
What happens if you fail emissions test twice in California?
Answer provided by. If you fail an emissions test twice, you'll either receive a waiver or you won't be able to renew your registration—it depends on the state. You've already given yourself the best chance possible to pass emissions by performing repairs after your first test failure.
Is it legal to swap engines in CA?
State and Federal anti-tampering laws specifically prohibit any modification to the vehicle's original emission control system configuration as certified by the manufacturer (California Vehicle Code section 27156 and Title 16, Section 3362.1 of the California Code of Regulations).
How do you fix state refs?
0:087:21What To Do If State Reffed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis will be a video on about state ref what happens to you or what you should do if you get stateMoreThis will be a video on about state ref what happens to you or what you should do if you get state reft. With this lovely yellow ticket. With the citation number on the back and all that.
How do I prepare for a smog check?
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR A SMOG CHECK?Drive your car for at least 15 minutes before the test.Use cleansing fuel additives.Change your oil.Take care of repairs you may have been putting off.
What affects smog check?
Read on to learn six factors that could drastically affect your car's smog test outcome.Repairs Needed. If your car needs immediate repairs, you should not subject it to a smog check. ... Cold Engine. ... Recent Battery Replacement or Disconnection. ... Oil Change. ... Tire Inflation. ... Check Engine Light On.
How do you pass a visual smog test?
Here's How to Pass the California Smog CheckCheck the “Check Engine” light. ... Make sure the battery hasn't been recently disconnected. ... Get an oil change. ... Get a tune-up—but not right before the test. ... Fill up the coolant and gas tanks. ... Drive fast two weeks before the test. ... Get a pre-inspection.
What is state Reffed mean?
Here in California there's a lot of strict laws. So even having your car just a tad loud would get you a ticket or state ref. Which means you have to go to a state referee to get it cleared. Emission doesn't matter here if your car is 1975 or older. So people that have those can do whatever they want.
How do you fix state refs?
0:087:21What To Do If State Reffed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis will be a video on about state ref what happens to you or what you should do if you get stateMoreThis will be a video on about state ref what happens to you or what you should do if you get state reft. With this lovely yellow ticket. With the citation number on the back and all that.
Types of smog check stations
The majority of Californians can have their vehicle Smog Check performed by industry. Smog Check Referee stations were created to perform more complex smog inspections and handle special smog check circumstances that industry is not authorized to provide. Again, most vehicles can be tested at Smog Check stations in the industry.
Resources
For the most up-to-date information on smog check process, laws and station types, visit the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
What vehicles are exempt from smog?
Some vehicles that are exempt from smog checks are gasoline powered vehicles that are from 1975 or older, diesel powered vehicles from the year 1997 or older, natural gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles and trailers. It is important to note that hybrid vehicles are not exempt from the smog check requirements in California. dmv.
What happens if your exhaust doesn't meet the standard?
However, if your vehicle doesn’t meet the standard then you must have the car repaired to meet the standard.
Do referee centers do emissions repairs?
It is important to note that referee centers do not perform emissions repairs of diagnostics but assist consumers by supplying them with the information needed to make repairs easier and ensure the necessary repairs are done.