RULES & REGS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS (GRADED A+)
California Smog Check Program Areas
What are the names of the three main inspection program areas in
California?
Enhanced: Highly populated regions that have not met federal air quality
standards, requiring more rigorous testing.
Basic: Regions with moderate air quality concerns.
Change of Ownership: Generally rural areas where smog checks are
primarily required only when a vehicle changes ownership or is registered in
California for the first time.
Basic Area Emission Testing
What type of emission inspection (tailpipe) test is required for a vehicle
registered in a "Basic Area" program?
TSI (Two-Speed Idle Test). While modern OBD II-equipped vehicles
undergo an On-Board Diagnostic inspection, older non-OBD II vehicles in
Basic Areas typically receive the Two-Speed Idle test to measure tailpipe
emissions at idle and at 2500 RPM.
Smog Check Technician Presence
How many Smog Check technicians are required to be at a licensed Smog
Check station during the hours the station is open to perform
testing/repairing?
At least one. A licensed inspector or repair technician must be present at the
station during all hours of operation to ensure that testing and repairs are
performed by qualified, licensed personnel.
, No -ANSWER ✔✔Can a registered Automotive Repair Dealer (ARD) contract
with a customer to perform
Smog Check repairs on vehicles that fail a Smog Check inspection without being a
licensed
Smog Check Test and Repair station?
BAR-specified label -ANSWER ✔✔What vehicle identification label must be
affixed to a specially constructed vehicle for a Test Only or Test and Repair station
to inspect the vehicle?
No, Test Only Stations can only conduct inspections and can't do repairs -
ANSWER ✔✔May a Test and Repair station sublet a Smog Check inspection to a
Test-Only station? If not,
why?
No, smog techs can only perform tests and can't perform repairs -ANSWER
✔✔May a licensed Smog Check technician working at a Test-Only station perform
minor
adjustments to ignition timing? If not, why?
1) Excessive fluid leak
2) Engine overheating
3) Unsafe drive axle -ANSWER ✔✔What are three reasons a smog check tech
may reject a vehicle?
No, because the vehicle repairs were not done at a STAR Repair only or STAR
Test and Repair station -ANSWER ✔✔A consumer's vehicle failed a Smog Check
inspection (high emissions) at a Test-Only station. The consumer had the vehicle
repaired at a non-licensed repair facility at a cost of
ANSWERS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS (GRADED A+)
California Smog Check Program Areas
What are the names of the three main inspection program areas in
California?
Enhanced: Highly populated regions that have not met federal air quality
standards, requiring more rigorous testing.
Basic: Regions with moderate air quality concerns.
Change of Ownership: Generally rural areas where smog checks are
primarily required only when a vehicle changes ownership or is registered in
California for the first time.
Basic Area Emission Testing
What type of emission inspection (tailpipe) test is required for a vehicle
registered in a "Basic Area" program?
TSI (Two-Speed Idle Test). While modern OBD II-equipped vehicles
undergo an On-Board Diagnostic inspection, older non-OBD II vehicles in
Basic Areas typically receive the Two-Speed Idle test to measure tailpipe
emissions at idle and at 2500 RPM.
Smog Check Technician Presence
How many Smog Check technicians are required to be at a licensed Smog
Check station during the hours the station is open to perform
testing/repairing?
At least one. A licensed inspector or repair technician must be present at the
station during all hours of operation to ensure that testing and repairs are
performed by qualified, licensed personnel.
, No -ANSWER ✔✔Can a registered Automotive Repair Dealer (ARD) contract
with a customer to perform
Smog Check repairs on vehicles that fail a Smog Check inspection without being a
licensed
Smog Check Test and Repair station?
BAR-specified label -ANSWER ✔✔What vehicle identification label must be
affixed to a specially constructed vehicle for a Test Only or Test and Repair station
to inspect the vehicle?
No, Test Only Stations can only conduct inspections and can't do repairs -
ANSWER ✔✔May a Test and Repair station sublet a Smog Check inspection to a
Test-Only station? If not,
why?
No, smog techs can only perform tests and can't perform repairs -ANSWER
✔✔May a licensed Smog Check technician working at a Test-Only station perform
minor
adjustments to ignition timing? If not, why?
1) Excessive fluid leak
2) Engine overheating
3) Unsafe drive axle -ANSWER ✔✔What are three reasons a smog check tech
may reject a vehicle?
No, because the vehicle repairs were not done at a STAR Repair only or STAR
Test and Repair station -ANSWER ✔✔A consumer's vehicle failed a Smog Check
inspection (high emissions) at a Test-Only station. The consumer had the vehicle
repaired at a non-licensed repair facility at a cost of
