The station types BAR describes
- Test-and-repair station: performs Smog Checks and emissions repairs.
- Test-only station: performs Smog Checks but does not make emissions repairs.
- STAR station: meets higher performance standards to inspect all vehicles, including high-polluting vehicles. Your DMV registration renewal notice will say if you need to go to a STAR station.
- Repair-only station: repairs emissions issues but does not perform Smog Checks.
Which type should you choose?
- Your notice says “Smog Certification Required at a STAR station.” Use a STAR station. It may be test-only or test-and-repair.
- Your notice says “Smog Certification Required.” Any station licensed for Smog Check inspections will do.
- You are retesting after a failed inspection. BAR says to use a STAR station if your notice requires one; otherwise any test-and-repair or test-only station. A test-only station has no repair work to sell you, which is why some drivers choose one for a retest.
How many of each station BAR lists
We pulled the BAR Auto Shop Locator listings for 83 cities on September 18, 2026. The table shows the 25 with the most stations. “Test-only” here means a station BAR lists for Smog Check inspections but not for Smog Check repairs.
| City | Stations listed | STAR | Test-only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 223 | 161 | 144 |
| San Diego | 164 | 91 | 54 |
| San Jose | 163 | 94 | 62 |
| Sacramento | 126 | 63 | 45 |
| Fresno | 95 | 49 | 24 |
| Riverside | 78 | 43 | 37 |
| Bakersfield | 77 | 49 | 29 |
| Modesto | 56 | 28 | 15 |
| San Francisco | 56 | 32 | 13 |
| Escondido | 52 | 24 | 13 |
| Santa Ana | 52 | 33 | 18 |
| Oakland | 50 | 27 | 14 |
| Stockton | 48 | 24 | 15 |
| San Bernardino | 46 | 30 | 29 |
| El Cajon | 45 | 15 | 9 |
| Fremont | 42 | 19 | 9 |
| Long Beach | 42 | 32 | 22 |
| Chula Vista | 39 | 30 | 16 |
| Santa Maria | 39 | 3 | 3 |
| Fontana | 35 | 20 | 18 |
| Salinas | 35 | 6 | 1 |
| Ontario | 34 | 20 | 16 |
| Roseville | 34 | 12 | 9 |
| Pasadena | 33 | 18 | 9 |
| Lancaster | 29 | 18 | 17 |
Find a station by city
These are the cities with the most BAR-licensed stations. Every station is listed with address, phone number and BAR license number. See all 83 cities.
Bakersfield
Escondido
Fresno
Los Angeles
Modesto
Oakland
Riverside
Sacramento
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose
Santa Ana
Frequently asked questions
Is a test-only station cheaper than a test-and-repair station?
Not necessarily. BAR does not regulate inspection prices, so every station sets its own. Get an estimate from a few stations before you choose.
Can any station do my retest after a fail?
BAR says to go to a STAR station if your DMV registration renewal notice requires one. If not, you can go to any test-and-repair or test-only station.
What is a repair-only station?
BAR says a repair-only station repairs emissions problems but does not perform Smog Checks.
Can a station be both STAR and test-only?
Yes. STAR is a set of performance standards, and BAR lists STAR alongside test-only and test-and-repair as station types. On our city pages, STAR stations are marked separately from test-only and test-and-repair.
Find a Smog Check Station Near You
Browse BAR-licensed stations by city or county, or ask for a free quote.
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