Technicians are called upon daily to ensure that California vehicles are conforming to emissions standards – making a significant difference in protecting the environment and keeping the air clean. 
It’s stressful being a smog tech in Los Angeles, CA. This fast-paced, high-stakes environment requires precision, focus, and efficiency to keep things running smoothly. An unexpected BAR citation, though, can throw even the most scheduled tech for a loop.
If your business has appointments for the day. The day as a SMOG technician shop may have cars lined up for inspection, cars scheduled for repairs, customers walking-ins which can make for a long day. Suddenly, the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is sending you a citation. A citation happens when they find out you’ve broken some part of your inspection process, paperwork being lost, or neglecting to follow certain state regulations.
A citation from the BAR can feel like a punch in the gut. It can be a real shock getting this notice, then suddenly your workflow gets thrown out of kilter. All of a sudden, instead of focusing on inspections and repairs, you are now being dragged into a legal problem. This lag can be particularly troublesome in a busy shop, where time is money. Also waiting on paperwork, responding to the BAR or trying to handle damage control after citation can make technicians feel overwhelmed.
What To Do After Receiving a BAR Citation
By acting quickly, you can potentially avoid or mitigate these consequences. The first step is to review the citation thoroughly, ensuring you fully understand the nature of the alleged violation. What specific issue is the BAR raising? By understanding the exact issue, you can take informed action to address it. Fortunately, we are based in California – with law firm offices in both San Francisco and Los Angeles – and we service SMOG techs and auto repair shops as their defense lawyers throughout the Golden State, from Eureka to La Jolla.
If you get a BAR violation it’s probably best to hire an attorney. It is important to seek the advice of an attorney who specializes in automotive law and BAR regulations. An attorney can help guide you in handling the complexities of the citation to make sure that you provide a complete and legal response. Hiring representation is much more than just answering the citation – it’s protecting your career, and making sure you stay in compliance with the BAR afterwards.