What is Test-Only?
When each of you go for a biennial smogcheck, you look for a one stop test and repair facility. Unfortunately, with a test-only station if you fail the test you must pay for a second test and repair facility smogcheck and then go back to the test-only station for a certification. That is, you pay for 3 smogchecks to get one. I consider that an absurdity. But it is reality.
USEPA wanted complete separation of Smogcheck Test and Repair. They call that Centralized Test. Decentralization of Smogcheck Test occurs when you allow a station to do both test and repair.
So Why Do We Have Test Only?
The answer given by CARB or USEPA is to prevent fraud in smog check or to get a more unbiased result because the Test-Only Tech has no interest in whether the vehicle passes or fails. Also they claim the test is more closely supervised. I don't buy that. I ask the question "How many tons of pollution has Test-Only removed from the air?" The obvious answer is ZERO. Test-Only cannot fix a vehicle. The only way you reduce pollution is with vehicle repair.
When did test only go into law?
Test only went into law in 1994. There were two parts to the agreement. The first part said (Health & Safety Code - Section 44010) that the state was to develop the capacity for 15% of the fleet to go to test only. It did not require any vehicles be tested there...only the capacity. This was a political compromise between legislators and USEPA ....not an agreement based on logic.
The other portion of the agreement was placed in the State Implementation Plan. The State Implentation Plan may be read at the website below.
California State Implementation Plan . Where Can I Read The Legislation?
To read the legislation, click on the link below, select legislation, select code, click on Health & Safety, DO NOT ENTER ANYTHING FOR KEYWORD, click on search. A table of contents for the Health & Safety Code will appear. Scroll to section 44010 and read it.
California State Senate Website Who Gets Selected For Test-Only?
The best available explanation for who gets selected to go to test-only is in the link below.
Test-Only Selection What are the actual figures?
First of all vehicles up to 6 model years old are exempt from their biennial smog check. Second, vehicles 1975 and older are exempt from biennial smog check. Then Bureau of Automotive Repair will tell you that they send 36% of vehicles between 1976 and 6 model year old vehicles to test-only. I and a lot of other people believe the number is much higher. Smog shops I have talked to indicate that in several cases it is as high as 80% going to test-only.
This is having a very significant affect on the price of a smogcheck. When dynamometers first came to the enhanced areas, smog checks ran as high as $100 dollars to recoup the cost of the machine. I have seen smog checks down in the $46 and $39 range. I see the price going lower as the affect of test-only is felt.
A smog shop pays $1500 per month just to lease a machine. They also pay a mechanic and all the overhead. You cannot stay in business indefinetly at that rate if you are not getting enough smogs. I am predicting a fallout in the number of smog stations within a year and a half. It may get attention in Sacramento.
What Legislation Is On The Table To Correct This?
Go to the link below and select legislation. Key in AB578 and read it. Read it.
California State Senate Website The legislation is sponsored by California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (CSSARA). You can email Dennis Decota there with your comments.
California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association
EMail Dennis Decota With Comments What is the High Emitter Profile?
The high emitter profile is based on a thing call The Radian Report. This was a study done in approximately 1997 to identify high emitting vehicles. The report has a statement in it to the affect that all vehicles should be held to equal emission standards. We all know that is physically impossible. Great strides have been made in emission system controls since 1970.
In a short while I will pull out The Radian Report and quote from it.
The Bureau of Automotive Repair website says the vehicles selected for test-only are those most likely to fail their smogcheck. Vehicle make, model, vehicle miles travelled and engine size define the HEP (High Emitter Profile). Though I do not have access to details of the High Emitter Profile I get the impression that High Mileage is a major factor. Until about 2002 my Chevrolet Van and Toyota Truck went to test and repair for a smog check. The van now has 200,000 miles on it. The truck has 180,000. They both got stuck in test-only.
NOW YOU KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT TEST-ONLY AS I DO. Bureau of Automotive Repair does not want to give me any more information than I have given you.