Smog Referee

 

Las Positas College partners with The Foundation for Community Colleges to provide the community with referee services.

If you are trying to contact a Referee or make an appointment you must call 1-800-622-7733. You may also visit asktheref.org

Contacting the college or Automotive Professors will not help. You will need to contact the referee at the above website or phone number.

Referee Program

The Smog Check Referee Program is a statewide network of stations that provide resources to consumers and Smog Check inspectors. Below are some of the specialized services provided by referee stations.

Smog Check Inspection Review

Consumers who have concerns about the results of their Smog Check inspections can get a third-party evaluation at a referee station.

Parts Locator Service

The referee offers a service to assist consumers in locating parts that are difficult to find. If the part is unavailable, the vehicle may be eligible for a Limited Parts Exemption and must be inspected at a referee center.

Law Enforcement Citations

The referee can inspect a consumer’s vehicle that has been cited by law enforcement authorities for modified emission controls or excessive exhaust noise.

Verification of Smog Check Exemption

If a consumer receives a registration renewal notice incorrectly requiring a Smog Check inspection, the referee can verify the vehicle is exempt and issue an exempt certificate so that the vehicle’s registration can be completed.

Inspections for Unusual Vehicles

Specially constructed vehicles and collector cars must be inspected at a referee center.

Vehicles imported into California are classified as grey market vehicles and require a referee inspection.

If a vehicle’s engine is changed and it is different than the one originally installed in the vehicle, an inspection at the referee may be required.

Vehicles that have been modified for use by individuals with disabilities may be inspected at a referee center.

Referee centers can certify vehicles labeled as gross polluters, which are those vehicles that fail a Smog Check inspection at two times the pass/fail standard.

Repair Cost Waivers

The referee may grant a repair cost waiver to allow a consumer to renew the registration and provide additional time to complete the repairs.

 

HDIM Referee

 

Las Positas College partners with University of Riverside to provide the community with referee services.

If you are trying to contact a Referee or make an appointment you must visit https://cleantruckcheck.arb.ca.gov/

Contacting the college or Automotive Professors will not help. You will need to contact the referee at the above website or phone number.

About

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the University of California Riverside (UCR) have partnered to provide Referee services for the California Clean Truck Check. The Clean Truck Check Referee (also referred to as CARBTest) program’s mission is to provide independent evaluations of non-gasoline, heavy-duty vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 14,000 lbs and up. CARBTest offers services for heavy-duty vehicles with inspection incompatibilities or compliance issues.

How to Prepare for CARBTest Appointments

Prior to bringing your vehicle to a CARBTest facility, we ask that you review the following CARBTest inspection guidelines.

Documentation

• Please submit all of the required vehicle information/documentation for CARBTest Referee’s pre-inspection review.
• Appointments may not be confirmed until all supporting documentation has been uploaded to CARBTest.org.

CARBTest Appointment

• You may be required to have your CARBTest appointment rescheduled if you arrive later than 15 minutes from your scheduled appointment time.
• Your CARBTest appointment is scheduled for 50 minutes; however, the inspection could take longer than expected.
• If you cannot keep your appointment for any reason, please reschedule at least 24 hours prior to your appointment time.
• If you do not show for your CARBTest referee appointment, you will be subject to a 14 day hold for your next scheduled appointment.

Vehicle Requirements

• Please confirm that the vehicle is in a safe and fully functional operating condition in order for the CARBTest Referee to inspect your vehicle.
• Please DO NOT arrive with your trailer attached to your vehicle. CARBTest locations cannot accommodate additional equipment.
• If the inspection site is currently in use, please park your vehicle in designated CARBTest waiting areas only.
• During CARBTest Referee inspections, it may be necessary to conduct an OnBoard Diagnostic (OBD) download from the vehicle's Data Link Connector (DLC) if it is equipped with OBD functionality. If your vehicle has OBD capabilities, please ensure that the DLC (also referred to as the OBD port) is free of any other devices. The vehicle operator will be requested to remove any devices, such as an Electronic Driver Log (ELD) or Telematic Device (TMD), from the OBD port prior to initiating the OBD scan. Do not clear fault codes or disconnect battery. If codes were cleared, the vehicle requires the completion of 5-Warmup cycles before OBD download. Please reference the CARB OBD Readiness Criteria page for more information.
• Should the vehicle operator encounter difficulty in removing the device(s) to conduct the OBD scan, the CARBTest Referee will not conclude your CARBTest inspection at that time. Your CARBTest inspection status will be recorded as incomplete, necessitating the scheduling of an additional CARBTest appointment once the OBD port becomes accessible.