Short history of the California smog check program

• 1998 - Some smog check stations designated as "Test Only" stations.

• Gold Shield program begins in 2007.

• California fails to satisfy EPA requirements.

• STAR program scheduled to begin in January 2013.

INSPECTION &REPAIR STATION

State of CaliforniaLICENSED

Main Street Shell Service 805-347-0076

1204 East Main Street, Santa Maria CA, 93454

California fights to keep smog check program privatized and out of federal control.• 1998 - California designates some facilities as "test only" stations.

• Separated inspections and repairs for vehicles emitting the highest levels of smog.

• Established in order to keep smog stations from performing improper repairs

and to ensure that smog inspections were legitimate.

Main Street Shell Service 805-347-0076

1204 East Main Street, Santa Maria CA, 93454

SMOG CHECKSTATION

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Creation of the Gold Shield program• 2007 - Another update was made to the smog check program.

• Smog stations could earn special authorization from the BAR to

become Gold Shield certified.

• Gold Shield stations were authorized to test and repair directed vehicles

classified as gross polluters.

Main Street Shell Service 805-347-0076

1204 East Main Street, Santa Maria CA, 93454

California fails to fulfill promises to satisfyU.S. EPA requirements.• 2009 - Research study showed a significant amount of illegitimate certifications

for gross polluter vehicles.

• Many smog stations across the state were engaged in dishonest testing

procedures.

• New regulations were needed to increase the integrity, quality and effectiveness

of the smog check program.

Main Street Shell Service 805-347-0076

1204 East Main Street, Santa Maria CA, 93454

What is the STAR smog check program?• Incentive based program aimed at improving quality and performance of smog

check stations in California.

• Only smog check stations with high enough scores will be certified to test and

repair vehicles most likely to be high smog emitters.

• Stations with sub standard scores will not be eligible to test directed vehicles.

• Majority of directed vehicles are model years 1976 to 1999.

• STAR program begins in January of 2013. STAR Certified

Main Street Shell Service 805-347-0076

1204 East Main Street, Santa Maria CA, 93454

Main Street Shell Service1204 EAST MAIN STREET

SANTA MARIA CA. 93454(805) 347-0076

MainStreetShell.com

• We have continuously met the rigorous standards of the BAR to obtain

Gold Shield certification, and now STAR certification.

• We are authorized to test and repair directed vehicles including gross polluters.

• If the DMV has required you to bring your vehicle to a STAR certified station,

we can help you.

Main Street Shell Service is aSTAR Certified smog check station.

STAR Certified

Main Street Shell Service 805-347-0076

1204 East Main Street, Santa Maria CA, 93454

Welcome to Main Street Shell Service in Santa Maria, your trusted provider for fast, efficient smog check services. We’d like to take this opportunity to tell you about some changes that will be taking place at the beginning of the new year concerning the California smog check program. The new STAR program is California’s latest attempt to improve the integrity and effectiveness of state smog inspections and to meet the stringent standards of the Environmental Protection Agency. Over the past 15 years or so, Californians have seen a lot of changes. In 1998, a number of smog check facilities were awarded the status of "test only", which allowed them to test vehicles identified by the state as likely high smog emitters. Test only stations were able to perform smog inspections on these vehicles but were not authorized to perform repairs. According to the Bureau of Automotive Repair, smog stations would be more likely to perform legitimate inspections if they had no stake in the potential repairs. Almost 10 years later, in 2007, California updated the smog check program once again. Gold Shield certifications were awarded to smog stations with no disciplinary actions on their records, and a proven ability to meet the high testing and repair standards of the BAR. This program gave consumers a one stop shop for inspection, repair, and certification, even if the vehicle was a gross polluter. In 2009, a research report showed that the Gold Shield program had fallen short of E.P.A. expectations. According to the study which focused on vehicles from model years 1976 to 1995, almost half of these cars and trucks had been falsely certified after failing their initial smog inspections. These findings led officials to conclude that a significant number of smog check stations were purposely performing improper and illegitimate inspections. More changes were needed to restore the integrity of the smog check program. January 2013 marks the beginning of the brand new STAR smog check program. Only smog check stations that have met the strict performance measures set forth by the BAR will be eligible to become a STAR certified facility. STAR certified smog check stations will be the only locations authorized to test "directed vehicles" which are considered to be likely high smog emitters. According to the new STAR program, cars and trucks from model years 1976 to 1999 make up the majority of directed vehicles and will be required to visit a STAR location for smog testing. Main Street Shell Service has been testing and repairing directed vehicles for years under the Gold Shield program. At the beginning of the new year, we will continue to test and repair directed vehicles as a STAR certified facility. We have already received our STAR certification and our experienced smog technicians look forward to assisting you with any questions or concerns you may have.

Main Street Shell Service 805-347-0076

1204 East Main Street, Santa Maria CA, 93454