The Smog Check Referee

The Court of Last Resort- The Smog Check Referee

The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has contracted the Foundation for California Community Colleges to operate the Smog Check Referee Program on 33 community college campuses throughout California.

The Smog Check Referee serves many purposes.

The following are some of the responsibilities of this important part of the Smog Check Program.

• The consumer believes that their vehicle was tested and/or repaired improperly, which resulted in a failure at the licensed smog station.
• The consumer is eligible for a repair cost waiver.
• The consumer is eligible for a low-income economic hardship extension (not available for change of ownership).
• Vehicle has a limited parts exemption.
• Vehicle is exempt from a smog check, but received a "Smog Certificate Required" statement on the DMV registration renewal notice.
• Vehicle cannot be inspected by a licensed station due to an inherent problem with the vehicle.
• The vehicle's engine has been changed with a non-replacement engine.
  
• Vehicle is a kit car or the vehicle make is Specially Constructed Vehicles (SPCNS) and does not have a BAR label.
• Vehicle is a Gray market/Direct import vehicle
• Vehicle is converted to operate on pure electricity.
• Vehicle requires verification that an alternative fuel conversion system has been properly installed.

If your vehicle needs to be seen by the Smog Check Referee call 1-800-622-7733 for an appointment. There is a fee for the Smog Check Referee service.

More to come...
Thanks,
Bob