STAR Report Card Terms for California Smog Check Performance

Current Inspectors

This list shows all inspectors currently entered into the Inspector Information Table(s) on each Emissions Inspection System (EIS) being used to perform Smog Check inspections at a station. Stations should be sure to remove former employees from their EIS Inspector Information Table(s) to ensure that inspectors with low Follow-up Pass Rate (FPR) scores do not affect the station’s STAR certification. Similarly, inspectors should make sure that they have been removed from an EIS Inspector Information Table(s) if they are no longer employed at a station in order to protect the integrity of STAR performance data.

Current Station Status

Under the STAR Program, each Smog Check station that intends to inspect directed vehicles must apply to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) to determine whether the station meets STAR performance measures. If it is determined that the station meets the standard for each performance measure, BAR will issue a certification making the station eligible to inspect directed vehicles. Stations that apply but do not meet all STAR Program standards, or stations whose STAR certification is invalidated for failing to meet performance requirements, are not eligible to inspect directed vehicles.

Note:
Initially, all stations appeared as “Not STAR Certified” because the program did not begin until January 1, 2013. Once the program began, stations that met performance standards and applied for certification were shown as “STAR Certified.” In some cases, a station’s eligibility status may appear inconsistent with its STAR performance results. This may occur if the station has not yet applied for STAR certification or if BAR has not completed its administrative review. Conversely, a station may still appear “STAR Certified” while not meeting all performance measures if certification invalidation is pending administrative review.

Current STAR Result

The Current STAR Result table summarizes a station’s performance across all STAR performance measures and displays the result as either “Pass” or “Fail.” A “Pass” result indicates that the station meets the Follow-up Pass Rate (FPR) and all Short-Term performance measures, making it eligible to apply for or maintain STAR certification. However, a station may still be deemed ineligible due to enforcement-related issues such as citations or administrative actions, which are not currently reflected on the STAR Web page.

A “Fail” result indicates that the station does not meet STAR performance standards and may be at risk of having its STAR certification invalidated.

Station Short-Term Summary

The Station Short-Term Summary shows a station’s results for the following STAR Program performance measures: Test Deviations, Incorrect Gear Selection, and Similar Vehicle Failure Rate (SVFR). Test Deviations include the following seven measures: Fuel Cap Not Performed, Evap Not Performed, Timing Not Performed, OBD II Not Performed, Max Readiness Monitors, ASM Restarts, and Aborted Tests.

These inspection-based performance measures are calculated monthly using data from the three most recent months. However, STAR eligibility evaluations are based only on scores calculated at the end of each calendar quarter. Inspector-level results are published for informational purposes and do not directly determine STAR eligibility.

Fuel Cap Not Performed

This performance measure calculates how often a station reports that a fuel cap pressure test cannot be performed when at least 90% of inspections on similar vehicles statewide indicate the test is possible. Fuel cap testing is required on all 1999 and older vehicles unless excluded by the Smog Check Inspection Procedures Manual or necessary adapters are unavailable. This measure is not met if the station’s non-performance rate exceeds the statewide average for similar vehicles.

Evap Not Performed

This measure evaluates how often a station reports that a Low Pressure Fuel Evaporative Test (LPFET) cannot be performed when similar vehicles statewide indicate the test is feasible. LPFET testing applies to most 1976–1995 model year vehicles with specific exceptions. The standard is not met if the station’s non-performance rate exceeds the statewide average.

Timing Not Performed

This measure tracks instances where ignition timing is reported as non-adjustable when similar vehicles indicate that timing is testable. Ignition timing does not need to be checked if the vehicle is computer-controlled or labeled as non-adjustable. The standard is not met if the station’s non-performance rate exceeds the statewide average.

OBD II Not Performed

This measure calculates how often a station fails to perform OBD II tests on 1996 and newer vehicles when similar vehicles indicate the system is testable. The standard is not met if the station’s non-performance rate exceeds the statewide average.

Max Readiness Monitors

This measure compares how often a station passes vehicles on the initial test with the maximum allowable number of unset OBD II readiness monitors compared to similar vehicles statewide. Model year 2001 and newer vehicles are allowed one unset monitor, while model year 2000 and older vehicles are allowed two. The standard is not met if the station’s rate exceeds 125% of the statewide average.

ASM Restarts

This measure compares a station’s ASM restart rate to statewide averages for similar vehicles. Only one restart is counted per test, regardless of the number of restarts that occur. The standard is not met if the restart rate exceeds 125% of the statewide average.

Aborted Tests

This measure compares a station’s aborted inspection rate to statewide averages for similar vehicles tested on the same inspection system brand. Legitimate safety-related aborts generally remain at or below average. The standard is not met if the aborted test rate exceeds 125% of the statewide average.

Incorrect Gear Selection

This measure evaluates how often vehicles are tested in the incorrect gear during ASM inspections. Automatic transmission vehicles must be tested in Drive, while manual transmission vehicles must be tested in second gear unless RPM limits require otherwise. The standard is not met if incorrect gear selection exceeds 2%.

Similar Vehicle Failure Rate (SVFR)

This measure compares a station’s initial test failure rate to statewide averages for similar vehicles. The standard is not met if the station’s failure rate is less than 75% of the statewide average.

Incidents

STAR Incidents identify inspections where procedures deviated from standards based on comparisons with similar vehicles statewide. Incidents may be reported for Fuel Cap Not Performed, Evap Not Performed, Timing Not Performed, OBD II Not Performed, and Incorrect Gear Selection. Stations or inspectors may challenge incidents by following the procedures outlined in STAR Program documentation.