Your DMV notice says Test-Only or STAR. What now?
Valley Smog Test Only is a Test-Only smog station in Hanford. Call us with the notice in your hand and we’ll tell you in under a minute whether we can test your vehicle — before you drive anywhere.
800 E Lacey Blvd
Hanford, CA 93230
Open 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Welcome during open hours
Test-Only and STAR are not the same thing
People mix these two up constantly, and it costs them a wasted trip. Here is the difference in plain English.
Test-Only
A Test-Only station is licensed to inspect vehicles but not to repair them. That separation is the whole point: a shop that can’t sell you the repair has no financial reason to fail your car. If your DMV notice directs you to a Test-Only station, that is what we are — bring it in.
STAR
STAR is a separate certification program run by California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair. Stations that meet higher inspection-performance standards can be STAR certified, and a STAR station may be either test-only or test-and-repair. The two labels overlap but they are not interchangeable.
If your notice specifically says STAR, call us first at (559) 583-6023. We will confirm on the phone whether we can take your vehicle. We would rather spend a minute with you than have you drive across town on a guess.
Why was my vehicle directed at all?
It usually isn’t a sign that anything is wrong with your car. The state directs a share of vehicles each cycle based on model-year data and inspection history. Plenty of perfectly healthy vehicles get flagged. It also does not change what you pay — a directed vehicle is charged the same posted price as any other.
You pay the same either way
A DMV-directed inspection costs exactly what a walk-in costs. There is no surcharge.
Posted pricing
- Gas — 2000 & newerTest $34.75 + state certificate $8.25$43.00
- Diesel — 1998 & newerTest $39.75 + state certificate $8.25$48.00
- 1976 – 1999Test $61.75 + state certificate $8.25$70.00
- RV or cargo boxTest $106.75 + state certificate $8.25$115.00
Full pricing, including retests and pretests, is on the main pricing table.
What to bring
- Your DMV renewal notice. This is the one that actually matters — it tells us exactly what the state is asking for.
- Check engine light off. A lit light is an automatic fail regardless of what your notice says.
- Card or cash. We take both.
Walk-ins are welcome during open hours and no appointment is needed. Se habla español.
If it fails
You get one retest within 30 days. Because we’re test-only, the repair has to happen somewhere else — then you bring it back here to be re-inspected. How retests work →
Quick answers
What is the difference between a Test-Only and a STAR station?
A Test-Only station may inspect but not repair vehicles. STAR is a separate Bureau of Automotive Repair certification for stations meeting higher inspection standards, and a STAR station can be either test-only or test-and-repair.
Is Valley Smog a Test-Only station?
Yes. Valley Smog Test Only is a Test-Only smog inspection station in Hanford, CA.
My DMV notice says STAR. Can you test my vehicle?
Call us at (559) 583-6023 with the notice in hand and we will confirm before you drive over.
Does a DMV-directed smog check cost more?
No. A directed vehicle pays the same posted price as any walk-in.
Why did the DMV direct my vehicle?
The state directs a share of vehicles each cycle based on model-year data and inspection history. It usually does not mean anything is wrong with your car.
Ready when you are
Walk in during business hours or call before stopping by.