SMOG CHECK INSPECTOR ACTUAL
EXAM
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
GRADED A+
● What causes Photochemical Smog?. Answer: Photochemical
Smog is caused by HC and NOx in the presence of sunlight.
● What must be done for a government fleet vehicle that failed
as a gross polluter to become certified?. Answer: Since the
vehicle was a gross polluter, it can only be tested at a STAR
station.
● What should the technician enter if the oil filler cap is
broken?. Answer: Enter D for Defective under Other Emission
Related Components.
● Which emission controls are required on a Federally certified
1976 Jeep with a 4.2L engine?. Answer: PCV, TAC, EGR,
AIS, OXY, CAT.
● What do hydrocarbons (HC) in vehicle emissions indicate?.
Answer: Unburned fuel and incomplete combustion.
● Where should a vehicle registered in a Basic area but
garaged in an Enhanced area be tested?. Answer: It must be
tested in an enhanced area station.
,● What are the required ECS components for a California
certified 1980 Winnebago with a 7.3L engine?. Answer: The
required ECS components are PCV, TAC, AIS, EGR, SPK,
and 4150 EG Carburetor.
● Which gear should be selected for an ASM test on a vehicle
with a 4-speed manual transmission?. Answer: The technician
should select 'Second' gear to run the test.
● What type of Smog station may issue a Smog certificate to a
'Directed Vehicle' for initial registration?. Answer: A STAR
Test and Repair station may issue a Smog certificate to a
'Directed Vehicle' for initial registration.
● How should a technician enter information about aftermarket
equipment wiring connected to the DLC?. Answer: The
technician should fail the vehicle under 'Computer, Sensors,
and Switches.'
● The functional OBDII test is required on all 1996 and newer
vehicles with a GVWR of what weight or less?. Answer: 8,700
lbs.
● What is true about Maintenance Reminder lights and the
MIL?. Answer: Technician B is correct; Maintenance
Reminder lights are not part of the Smog Check program and
should not be confused with the MIL.
● Which inspection procedure is performed with the engine
running?. Answer: Fuel Cap Pressure Test.
● What does the State CAP program provide for the
consumer?. Answer: Assistance in repairing vehicles which fail
,an emissions test.
● What is the purpose of the Electronic Transmission (ET)
Network?. Answer: The ET Network functions to
automatically upload vehicle information and update Smog
Check certificates.
● What is the purpose of the emissions test?. Answer: To
measure a sample of the exhaust emissions produced by the
vehicle.
● Which vehicles are exempt from a Smog Inspection?.
Answer: Vehicles exempt from a Smog Inspection include
1998 and newer light-duty diesels and 1975 and older gasoline
vehicles.
● What must a STAR station post?. Answer: A sign indicating
the services it performs.
● What is the OIS DAD inspection requirement for most 2000
and newer vehicles?. Answer: OBD II and visual inspection
only; no dynamometer or tailpipe test.
● Which vehicles are exempt from a Smog Check Inspection?.
Answer: 1997 and older diesel vehicles, 2-cylinder vehicles,
and 1975 and older vehicles, except rotary powered vehicles.
● When is a Smog Check required in Enhanced and Basic
areas?. Answer: Biennially for vehicles older than eight
model-years and upon change of ownership for vehicles older
than four model-years.
● What are the three geographic areas of the Smog Program?.
Answer: Out of state, Basic, and Enhanced.
, ● What are STAR stations?. Answer: Smog Check stations that
meet higher performance standards established by the Bureau
of Automotive Repair.
● Which vehicles do not require a BAR Referee Label?.
Answer: Vehicles with engine changes offered for that same
year and model by the manufacturer do not require a BAR
Referee Label.
● What is required if a DMV renewal notice states a vehicle
must have a Smog Check at a STAR station?. Answer: The
vehicle must be taken to a STAR station for inspection.
● How long does a Licensed Smog Check technician have to
inform the BAR in writing of a change of employment?.
Answer: 30 days.
● What are the two test sequences in the Two Speed Idle (TSI)
test?. Answer: The sequences are 2500 RPM and idle.
● What is not a proper procedure to verify engine operating
temperature before a Smog Inspection?. Answer: The electric
cooling fan cycling ON while the vehicle is at idle is not a
proper procedure to verify the engine is at operating
temperature.
● What action should a technician take if the Emission
Inspection System (EIS) returns a 'No Match' message?.
Answer: The technician should verify the VIN number and
plate number match the numbers on the vehicle; if they match,
complete the test.
EXAM
PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
GRADED A+
● What causes Photochemical Smog?. Answer: Photochemical
Smog is caused by HC and NOx in the presence of sunlight.
● What must be done for a government fleet vehicle that failed
as a gross polluter to become certified?. Answer: Since the
vehicle was a gross polluter, it can only be tested at a STAR
station.
● What should the technician enter if the oil filler cap is
broken?. Answer: Enter D for Defective under Other Emission
Related Components.
● Which emission controls are required on a Federally certified
1976 Jeep with a 4.2L engine?. Answer: PCV, TAC, EGR,
AIS, OXY, CAT.
● What do hydrocarbons (HC) in vehicle emissions indicate?.
Answer: Unburned fuel and incomplete combustion.
● Where should a vehicle registered in a Basic area but
garaged in an Enhanced area be tested?. Answer: It must be
tested in an enhanced area station.
,● What are the required ECS components for a California
certified 1980 Winnebago with a 7.3L engine?. Answer: The
required ECS components are PCV, TAC, AIS, EGR, SPK,
and 4150 EG Carburetor.
● Which gear should be selected for an ASM test on a vehicle
with a 4-speed manual transmission?. Answer: The technician
should select 'Second' gear to run the test.
● What type of Smog station may issue a Smog certificate to a
'Directed Vehicle' for initial registration?. Answer: A STAR
Test and Repair station may issue a Smog certificate to a
'Directed Vehicle' for initial registration.
● How should a technician enter information about aftermarket
equipment wiring connected to the DLC?. Answer: The
technician should fail the vehicle under 'Computer, Sensors,
and Switches.'
● The functional OBDII test is required on all 1996 and newer
vehicles with a GVWR of what weight or less?. Answer: 8,700
lbs.
● What is true about Maintenance Reminder lights and the
MIL?. Answer: Technician B is correct; Maintenance
Reminder lights are not part of the Smog Check program and
should not be confused with the MIL.
● Which inspection procedure is performed with the engine
running?. Answer: Fuel Cap Pressure Test.
● What does the State CAP program provide for the
consumer?. Answer: Assistance in repairing vehicles which fail
,an emissions test.
● What is the purpose of the Electronic Transmission (ET)
Network?. Answer: The ET Network functions to
automatically upload vehicle information and update Smog
Check certificates.
● What is the purpose of the emissions test?. Answer: To
measure a sample of the exhaust emissions produced by the
vehicle.
● Which vehicles are exempt from a Smog Inspection?.
Answer: Vehicles exempt from a Smog Inspection include
1998 and newer light-duty diesels and 1975 and older gasoline
vehicles.
● What must a STAR station post?. Answer: A sign indicating
the services it performs.
● What is the OIS DAD inspection requirement for most 2000
and newer vehicles?. Answer: OBD II and visual inspection
only; no dynamometer or tailpipe test.
● Which vehicles are exempt from a Smog Check Inspection?.
Answer: 1997 and older diesel vehicles, 2-cylinder vehicles,
and 1975 and older vehicles, except rotary powered vehicles.
● When is a Smog Check required in Enhanced and Basic
areas?. Answer: Biennially for vehicles older than eight
model-years and upon change of ownership for vehicles older
than four model-years.
● What are the three geographic areas of the Smog Program?.
Answer: Out of state, Basic, and Enhanced.
, ● What are STAR stations?. Answer: Smog Check stations that
meet higher performance standards established by the Bureau
of Automotive Repair.
● Which vehicles do not require a BAR Referee Label?.
Answer: Vehicles with engine changes offered for that same
year and model by the manufacturer do not require a BAR
Referee Label.
● What is required if a DMV renewal notice states a vehicle
must have a Smog Check at a STAR station?. Answer: The
vehicle must be taken to a STAR station for inspection.
● How long does a Licensed Smog Check technician have to
inform the BAR in writing of a change of employment?.
Answer: 30 days.
● What are the two test sequences in the Two Speed Idle (TSI)
test?. Answer: The sequences are 2500 RPM and idle.
● What is not a proper procedure to verify engine operating
temperature before a Smog Inspection?. Answer: The electric
cooling fan cycling ON while the vehicle is at idle is not a
proper procedure to verify the engine is at operating
temperature.
● What action should a technician take if the Emission
Inspection System (EIS) returns a 'No Match' message?.
Answer: The technician should verify the VIN number and
plate number match the numbers on the vehicle; if they match,
complete the test.
