My friend got his DMV registration renewal for his teg in the mail and it also says the car needs to be smogged for the registration to be complete... it says to take the vehicle to a "TEST ONLY" center for the smog certification... he has an AEM intake, DC Sports header, Thermal R&D exhaust system, MSD Wires, other than that his car is stock so he should pass his smog check right?

during his lunch break he took it to some place down the street that has the "Smog Check" sign (its a gas/service station which also does smog check, brakes, alignment)... they said they can't do it because it says he needs a Smog Check at a "test center" ....

what is a "test center"? the place he went to had a smog check sign and they were smogging other cars but they wouldn't do his (they didn't look at the car/under the hood.. so it can't be cuz of the car)... anyone in So Cal know of any test centers?

also what is the difference between a regular smog check place and a test center?

 

I had a recent test only also. You are only allowed to take it to test only center http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov for locations

 

Your friend may need to go to a state referee.

Your friend will need to go to a Smog Only station, all they do is SMOG, strictly SMOG

 

No need to go the referee. You just need to go to a TEST ONLY center.
I found the link to help your friend find the closet place. http://165.235.17.9/ActiveStns/StnList.asp
Fill out the approriate boxes and your friend should be set.

 

mt3C: hey thanks a lot.. I'll email him the link... anyway it says that a "test only" center is a station that performs smog checks and nothing else (no repairs) is that to curb smog check fraud or stations making repairs or whatever so that you pass? what is the point of all this?

the regular smog check places want about $40 (w/ 8.95 certificate)..

he found a "test only" center thats $60... and he said it took like 10 minutes

heres some info we found on "Test Only Centers"..(http://www.smogcheck.ca.gov/StdPage....s-Jun_2000.htm)


Test Only Stations



Test-Only Stations are privately-owned Smog Check stations licensed by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to inspect and certify most vehicles, including Gross Polluters. While they can perform oil changes and lubrication services, they are prohibited from providing any repair services.

Test-Only Stations' Role

The addition of Test-Only Stations to the Smog Check program augments a service previously provided on a temporary basis by state-contracted Referee Centers. Now, owners of gross-polluting vehicles must have their vehicles tested and certified at either a Test-Only Station or a GPC station.

Additionally, under mandate, 15% of vehicles in Enhanced Areas must be inspected at Test-Only Stations for SmogCheck. DMV informs motorists of this requirement through the renewal notice. All Test-Only directed consumers are eligible for repair and retirement assistance.

Referee Centers, which are under contract to the State of California, will return to their traditional role, such as providing the following functions:

issuing economic hardship extensions or repair cost waivers;

certifying vehicles which have had their engines changed with an engine not
originally offered for that year, make, or model; and

certifying "gray market" and specially constructed vehicles being registered in California for the first time.

Test-Only Stations' Limitations

Test-Only Stations cannot:

diagnose or perform any repairs on vehicles; or

refer motorists to specific test-and-repair facilities.

Additionally, an owner of a Test-Only Station cannot have ownership, corporate, or financial interest in any test-and-repair station located within 50 miles.

Greater Consumer Convenience

The addition of Test-Only Stations now gives vehicle owners more choices--especially those with gross-polluting vehicles--which means greater convenience for California motorists.

How To Locate A Test-Only Station

There are several ways to find a Test-Only Station near you:

check the listing on this Web site

call the Department of Consumer Affairs Hotline at 1-800-952-5210; or

check your local telephone directory.