You’re halfway through a busy Tuesday, juggling customers, parts orders, and that one tech who keeps forgetting to close repair orders. Then you check your mail—and bam. A crisp, official-looking envelope from the Bureau of Automotive Repair. You open it, and there it is: a citation. Just what you needed.
If you’re like most smog shop or repair shop owners in California, your stomach drops. And for good reason.
What Is This Thing, and Why Me?
A BAR citation is the state’s way of saying, “Hey, we think you screwed up.” Maybe it’s paperwork. Maybe your tech skipped a smog check step. Maybe you got hit with one of their charming undercover cars. Whatever it is, the state now has you on its radar—and trust me, that’s not where you want to be.
The citation will state what they believe you did wrong and which rule you allegedly violated. Sometimes there’s a fine. Sometimes there’s a hint that more is coming—like a STAR suspension or even a license action. It’s never just a slap on the wrist.
You Have 15 Days. Tick, Tock.
Here’s where it gets dangerous. You have 15 days to respond. Not 30. Not “whenever I get around to it.” Fifteen. Days.
You can either agree to pay the fine or request a hearing and contest it. But if you ignore it? BAR can move forward without you—and you could lose your license by default. Yes, by default. Like you never even showed up to defend yourself.
This is where many shop owners fall short. They toss the letter in a drawer, hoping it’ll go away. Spoiler: it won’t.
It’s Not Just Paper—It’s a Warning Shot
BAR doesn’t send these out for fun. A citation might seem small now, but it can spiral. One citation leads to another. Your STAR score drops. You fail an undercover car. Suddenly, you’re looking at a license suspension or revocation.
We’ve seen shops with great reputations—and great techs—get steamrolled because they didn’t take that first letter seriously. And once the state has built its case, unwinding it is like trying to put a transmission back together blindfolded.
You Need Backup
Look, we get it. You’re not a lawyer. You’re running a shop, not reading government code all day. That’s where we come in.
We handle this stuff every week. We know the BAR’s playbook, we know the traps, and we know how to fight back. Whether it’s challenging bad evidence, negotiating a better outcome, or just making sure the paperwork is filed on time, we’ve got your back.
Don’t try to fight the state alone. And definitely don’t do nothing.
Give us a call before that citation turns into something worse—like a closed sign on your front door.