About the Bureau of Automotive Repair

The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is part of the Department of Consumer Affairs. Our mission is to protect Californians through effective oversight of the automotive repair industry and administration of vehicle emissions reduction and safety programs.

What we do

• License and regulate automotive repair dealers, Smog Check stations and technicians, and vehicle safety systems stations and technicians¹.

• Mediate automotive repair complaints, saving consumers millions of dollars each year through refunds, rework, and bill adjustments.

• Investigate and take disciplinary action against licensees who violate the law.

• Perform no-cost inspections of collision repairs to help keep consumers and their vehicle safe.

• Improve road safety by ensuring revived salvage vehicles meet safety standards.

• Help keep California’s air clean by reducing vehicle emissions.

¹ Vehicle safety systems licenses replace brake and lamp licenses as of March 27, 2024. (Assembly Bill 471, Low, Chapter 372, Statutes of 2021).

Our programs

• Auto Body Inspection Program – offers no-cost inspections of collision repairs.

• Cars for Schools Program – provides retired vehicles to schools across California to support hands-on student learning.

• Consumer Assistance Program – helps eligible consumers repair or retire their vehicles.

• Referee Program – assists consumers with Smog Check issues and locating hard-to-find emissions parts.

• Roadside Emissions Survey Program – conducts voluntary emissions surveys on California roadways. The data collected helps improve the Smog Check Program and clean air efforts.

• Smog Check Program – helps improve air quality by identifying and repairing vehicles with excess emissions.

• STAR Program – certifies Smog Check stations meeting performance standards to inspect directed vehicles.

• Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Program – ensures revived salvage vehicles meet safety standards before they return to the road.

Consumer resources

• Find an auto shop

• Check a license

• File a complaint

• Get help to repair or retire your vehicle

• Request a collision repair inspection

Advisory groups

• BAR Advisory Group – advises the Bureau on issues and programs affecting the automotive repair industry.

• Educational Advisory Group - provides the Bureau recommendations on education and training requirements.

Leadership team

Patrick Dorais, Chief

Patrick Dorais was appointed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., effective November 8, 2013. As chief of BAR, he oversees all operational matters, including licensing and enforcement activities and the administration of the Smog Check Program.

Dorais served as BAR deputy chief of Smog Check Operations, Engineering, Research Administration and Consumer Assistance Division from 2007 to 2013. He served as deputy chief at the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board in 2007 and at the California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education from 2004 to 2007. Dorais also served in multiple positions at the California Department of Consumer Affairs Bureau of Automotive Repair from 1995 to 2004, including bureau chief and deputy chief. He was special assistant to the secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency from 1991 to 1995, special assistant to the director of the California Governor's Office of Planning and Research in 1991, and a legislative correspondent in the U.S. Senate from 1987 to 1990.

Assistant Chief (Vacant)

Oversees BAR’s Smog Check Engineering and Information Services Division and Audits and Inspections Branch.

Linda Janssen, Deputy Chief
Licensing, Administration, and Consumer Assistance Division

Linda Janssen was appointed to serve as deputy chief of the Licensing, Administration, and Consumer Assistance Division, effective August 2, 2021. She has over 20 years of state service and has held various managerial positions within the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and the Department of Toxic Substances Control. Prior to her appointment, Janssen managed BAR's Administration Branch.

Programs: Administration Branch, Consumer Assistance Program, Executive Affairs, Licensing and Records Management Program

Clay Leek, Deputy Chief
Smog Check Engineering and Information Services Division

Clay Leek was appointed to serve as deputy chief of the Smog Check Engineering and Information Services Division, effective September 1, 2023. He has over nine years of state service, all with BAR. Prior to his appointment, Leek served as Information Technology Manager II over BAR's engineering and technology operations.

Programs: Audits and Inspections Branch, Engineering and Research Branch, Technology Services Branch, Audits and Inspections Branch

Bill Thomas, Deputy Chief
Field Operations and Enforcement Division

Bill Thomas was appointed to serve as deputy chief of the Field Operations and Enforcement Division, effective April 18, 2022. He has more than 14 years of state service, all with BAR, and has held various managerial positions within the Field Operations and Enforcement Division. Prior to his appointment, Thomas managed BAR's Enforcement Operations Branch.

Programs: Enforcement Operations Branch, Field Support Services, Forensic Documentation Program, Northern California Field Operations and Enforcement Branch, Southern California Field Operations and Enforcement Branch