So You Got a STAR Suspension Notice? Here’s What That Means—and Why You Shouldn’t Shrug It Off
You’ve been running your smog check station like a pro. You’ve got regulars. You’ve invested in good tech. You’ve been part of the STAR program—maybe for years. Then, one day, you receive a STAR suspension notice from the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR).
Now what?
Let’s break it down. I’ll explain what the STAR program is, what a suspension really means, and why this isn’t something to “deal with later.”
So You Got a Citation from the Bureau of Automotive Repair. Now What?
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.
You’ve Received a Citation From the Bureau of Auto Repair; Who Do You Call First?
You’ll never know when a hard-working auto repair shop or technician will receive a letter from California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair. It could be something regarding an issue around a technical license or a smog testing citation.
The Daily Challenges of a SMOG Technician in Los Angeles: Navigating BAR Citations
It is not an easy job to have the occupation of SMOG technician in Los Angeles, California. The city has more than 3.8 million vehicles just on its own. The work lies in getting them all to meet California’s emissions standards, and that’s no easy task.
Automotive Defense Specialists, a Law Firm Defending SMOG Testing Businesses, Announces New Content on Bureau of Automotive Repair Citations
August 25, 2025 – Los Angeles, California. Automotive Defense Specialists, a California-based law firm defending auto repair and SMOG shops against the Bureau of Automotive Repair, is proud to announce new blog content.
The Life of a SMOG Technician in Los Angeles: Navigating Challenges and BAR Citations
In California, SMOG stations face big challenges, especially stations in Los Angeles. The State of California has strict emissions laws that a station needs to follow. The state follows some strict emissions laws that stations have to comply with.