Being a SMOG technician in sunny SoCal (especially Los Angeles) can be rewarding, and at times frustrating. You conduct numerous California state smog inspections to ensure that they comply with emissions standards every day. You have your work cut out for you; smog in Los Angeles can be crazy, and the customers fussy and difficult. Everyone wants their SMOG done fast and to pass. L.A.’s population is more than 3.8 million, and it seems like everyone has a car. To make matters worse, you still need to complete a degree–4-5 years for an automotive technology or environmental science degree, plus some experience – to become and stay a SMOG tech. That is a big commitment.
What’s a typical day like? You usually start your day with inspections and repairs on the move. One car after another comes rolling into your shop, and you are proud to ensure that every one of those vehicles is roadworthy. You also help clean the air for all of us — from Riverside residents who often endure smog alerts, to those basking in sunshine down the road in Orange County, to anyone and everyone who has lungs and wants a cleaner air quality. Yet in a second life can somehow send a curveball. You may then find yourself with a surprise notice in the mail from the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), alleging that there is some sort of violation. The bureaucracy has shown up, and now you have to stop “working” and start “working” on defending your SMOG tech license.
The stakes are high. You need to pay attention. Read through the notification or citation closely to gain an understanding of what you are being accused of. If you ignore this notice it could result in hundreds of thousands in fines, revocation of your business license or worse, and the end of your career. And, what’s worse, the notices are written in “bureaucratize,” the unique language of California bureaucrats, so it may be hard to figure out what it actually means.
The Need for Legal Help
It is also highly advisable that you get legal assistance once you have drafted the notice. A lawyer who is experienced in automotive and BAR law can help you navigate through the details. Having this type of support is priceless, especially with the laws in place here in California. A defense lawyer skilled in defending against SMOG citations may also be the best way to create a proper defense and ensure that you are adequately responding to each and every allegation to protect your rights.
To help your lawyer, you may need to gather together existing information, including inspection reports and customer communications. Such documents can help demonstrate that you and your shop have complied with all BAR regulations, as well as your commitment to quality service. An effective defense can frequently mitigate the impact of a citation, demonstrating to BAR and your customers that you take these issues seriously.
Receiving a BAR citation is intimidating, but it certainly should not dominate your entire business. An attorney worth his salt will handle correspondence and negotiation with the BAR on your behalf, advocating for your best interests and working toward an equitable outcome. You become free to “do your job,” that is, to run your shop and service your customers whether they are based in central Los Angeles or the nearby areas of Burbank, Pomona etc.
Potential Impact on Your Customers
Keep in mind that a citation can plant seeds of doubt in the minds of your customers. People want quality shops, both for inspection and repairs. Many clients fear dishonesty on the part of auto repair shops and technicians. Having a citation blemish your record is not “good for business.” This is why taking fast action to get a lawyer is important not just to deal with the citation but also for your good name. When you make your clients see that you are the one ahead of compliance, it can ease their minds about trusting your shop.
Receiving a citation from the BAR can feel like an earthquake when it lands on your desk. Protecting your business, shielding your professional reputation, and being able to continue to serve your customers — locally in Los Angeles or Riverside or anywhere else in Southern California with confidence is the goal you achieve by taking action right away. So when you face a regulatory challenge, your hard work doesn’t have to come undone — stop citations in their tracks by ensuring that you’re following the right steps to preventing one and keeping your business running as usual. A lawyer, in sum, may be a “necessary evil.”