It seems that what we were confident about in the past, we are not so sure about now. Things appear to be naming themselves all the time, which makes it difficult to keep up. Just when you think you are planning a boat excursion to the Gulf of Mexico, you find out it’s been scheduled for the Gulf of America.
It happens in the SMOG testing world, too. And what you thought was called one thing, like a STAR Invalidation, is now called a STAR Suspension. The change happened on July 1, 2022. It was meant to provide a more transparent and straight approach to addressing STAR certification issues. Okay, fine. But if SMOG technicians and colleagues still use the old term, they could mistakenly use it in front of a Bureau of Auto Repair attorney. And being confused about terms could create misunderstandings about a charge. And the Bureau of Automotive Repair can revoke that STAR certification. Having handled over 1,000 STAR suspensions, we are very familiar with how a defense argument can go sideways if an SMOG shop owner chooses to handle it alone. Several steps in the process can trip up a busy SMOG professional. Between language, appeals, legal deadlines, and fines, there is much to stay on top of.
Move the conversation in the right direction and get back to work
Owning a STAR certification doesn’t just “happen.” It requires hours of courses and exams. It may include an audit and a full demonstration of capabilities. It also requires that a SMOG shop show an exceptional Follow-up Pass Rate, or FPR. STAR-certified shops are expected to meet a higher standard in all SMOG testing capabilities. A technician or shop that’s achieved a STAR Certification is ready to work and reap the rewards of their efforts.
But if a STAR suspension letter arrives, the fight will take precious time away from work. This is why it’s wise to speak to a lawyer who focuses on defending SMOG shops from the Bureau of Automotive Repair. Defending against STAR suspensions can get tricky, and you will be at a disadvantage if you don’t know the right legal terms. In many ways, a court case can look like a game. The prosecution, in this case, the Bureau of Automotive Defense, will have their strategy ready to prove why a STAR suspension is warranted. While a defense attorney will have their strategy designed to review the evidence and prove otherwise. Ultimately, running a SMOG testing and repair business isn’t a game to the owner. It’s a way to support their family and pay their bills. An attorney who knows the proper terms can fight the Bureau of Auto Repair and help protect a STAR certification.