SmogTips.com - Get HUGE Coupons for Smog Check Stations. Learn smog checks, smog station. Smog test only center. Test Only Inspections. California DMV Test Only Smog Check. Smog Check Test Only. Regular smog check. Regular inspection. smog only. smog checks, test only smog stations, test only smog station,smog center, smog check, test only. smog stations. smog station, smog test only. smog check center, smog center. smog test. What is a Test Only Smog Check. Smog check test. Gold shield smog station. gold shield smog center. smog service. gold shield smog repair. cap certified. cap repair station. cap repair center. smog only, test only. consumer assistance program smog check. test only smog center. smog test only station. smog check stations. test only stations. test only station. smog test only center,smog test only, test only, smog only, smog check only, smog test only station, smog check test only. State of California divides smog stations into two main groups - Test Only Centers and Test & Repair Centers. Your DMV paperwork will INDICATE the type of smog station your vehicle requires.

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Types of DMV Smog Checks & Centers

The California DMV requires vehicles undergo one of two different smog check inspections based on both a random cycle and specific vehicle smog check status. Smog stations in California are divided into three main groups which are the: smog test only center, regular smog test & repair stations, and Gold Shield smog repair station, also known as CAP centers.

1. Test & Repair Regular Smog Stations
You can visit a "regular" smog station only if the DMV has not requested a Test Only or Gold Shield Smog Certification. It is very important that you refer to your DMV paperwork. Locate the smog check requirement section. It should simply ask for a smog check certificate and make no mention of Test Only or Gold Shield. This is considered a "regular" smog check. Any of the following three types of smog stations can perform a "regular" smog check: test only smog centers, test & repair smog stations or gold shield smog test centers.

2. Test Only or Gold Shield Smog Check
Centers. These types of smog stations can inspect and certify ALL vehicles requiring smog checks, including vehicles which have been directed by the California DMV to obtain a Test Only or Gold Shield Smog Certification. The main difference between these two types of smog stations; Smog Test Only centers are only authorized to perform test only inspections and are not allowed to perform smog check repairs, while Gold Shield smog stations are authorized to perform test only inspections as well as repair and certify all vehicles. If the DMV is asking for a Test Only or Gold Shield station certification you can visit either of these types of smog test centers.

3. Smog Check Repair Stations - If your vehicle has failed the smog check, the Bureau of Automotive Repairs requires that only the vehicle's owner or licensed California smog check repair stations or CAP Gold Shield repair centers perform diagnosis and/or repairs.

Please Note: A Smog Test Only Center is authorized to perform test only inspections and not allowed to perform smog check repairs. State research has shown these smog stations to provide a more accurate inspection then their counterparts, due to the fact that test only centers are not allowed to perform or profit from any automotive or smog repair.

If your vehicle fails at a test only smog test center or any one of our test only smog stations, you will need to seek repairs at a regular smog check repair center or Gold Shield station. Gold shield stations are allowed to perform Test Only inspections as well as smog check repairs. They are monitored by the Bureau of Automotive Repair on a monthly basis and held to the highest smog check standards.

Miles:

Which Type Should I Choose?

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The 3 State of California smog station types and their responsibilities

Smog Test & Repair Station - "Test and Repair" stations are authorized by the State
of California to perform Regular smog inspections and smog check service, as well as
diagnose and repair any vehicles which have failed the smog check. Test & Repair smog stations can not certify vehicles requiring Test Only or Gold Shield inspections.

Smog Test Only Center - Smog test only centers are authorized by the State of
California to perform both Regular and Test Only smog inspections. They are not allowed to perform any smog repairs. A Test Only center's main obligation is to perform a non-bias
and accurate smog inspection. They are certified to inspect all DMV required vehicles.

Gold Shield (CAP) - Gold Shield stations are authorized by the Bureau of Automotive Repair to perform, along with smog check repairs, regular smog inspections and test only smog checks. A Gold Shield station is the only type of smog check center which can inspect,
repair and certify any and all vehicles. These stations are held to a higher standard
then a regular smog station, and are inspect by the State of California monthly.

Gold Shield smog stations may also perform smog repairs on vehicles participating in the
Consumer Assistance Program. CAP Stations must maintain a high standard of operation.