Licensing data
The Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) licenses automotive repair dealers and stations and individuals that perform inspections in the Smog Check, Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection1, and former brake and lamp2 programs. Licensure information is available under the Licensees tab at www.bar.ca.gov. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) License Search may be used to look up a business or individual who has a license issued by DCA.
License population
(as of September 30, 2024)
| License3 type | Number of licenses |
|---|---|
| Automotive repair dealer4 | 35,094 |
| Smog Check test-and-repair station | 4,153 |
| Smog Check test-only station | 1,998 |
| Smog Check repair-only station | 27 |
| STAR station5 | 4,008 |
| Brake station | 636 |
| Lamp station | 633 |
| Vehicle safety systems inspection station | 347 |
| Smog Check inspector | 12,516 |
| Smog Check repair technician | 5,273 |
| Brake adjuster | 648 |
| Lamp adjuster | 688 |
| Vehicle safety systems technician | 583 |
| Total | 65,730 |
1 Regulations implementing the Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection Program became effective March 27, 2024.
2 Pursuant to AB 471 (Low, Chapter 372, Statutes of 2021), the brake and lamp inspection programs ended on September 27, 2024.
3 California Business and Professions Code section 23 defines "license" as a license, certificate, registration, or other means to engage in a business or profession regulated by the code.
4 An automotive repair dealer holds a registration to conduct business in California.
5 A licensed Smog Check station holds a STAR certification if it meets certain performance criteria established in BAR regulations.
Top 10 business types
(as of September 30, 2024)
Business types are provided by automotive repair dealers upon licensure or renewal. This information is tied to the service category options displayed on BAR's Auto Shop Locator. Licensees seeking to update their business type information can complete a Change of Name/Address/Corporate Officers or Directors form.
| Primary business type | Secondary business type |
|---|---|
| 1. General repair | 1. General repair |
| 2. Auto body/Paint shop | 2. Smog Check station |
| 3. Smog Check station | 3. Automotive diagnostic repair |
| 4. Other | 4. Other |
| 5. Tire shop | 5. Tune up/Oil lube shop |
| 6. New/Used car dealer | 6. Brake/Front end alignment shop |
| 7. Mobile automotive repair | 7. Tire shop |
| 8. Transmission repair shop | 8. Preventative maintenance |
| 9. Preventative maintenance | 9. Auto body/Paint shop |
| 10. Tune up/Oil and lube shop | 10. Engine rebuilding/Repair |
License processing times
Initial license applications: April-June 2024
| License type | Received | Approved | Average processing time (days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive repair dealer | 933 | 729 | 47 |
| Smog Check test-and-repair station | 38 | 39 | 50 |
| Smog Check test-only station | 41 | 42 | 71 |
| Smog Check repair-only station | 1 | 2 | 183 |
| STAR station | 70 | 36 | 5 |
| Brake station | 0 | 7 | 61 |
| Lamp station | 0 | 7 | 61 |
| Vehicle safety systems inspection station | 389 | 203 | 42 |
| Smog Check station | 422 | 162 | 59 |
| Smog Check repair technician | 180 | 71 | 58 |
| Brake adjuster | 6 | 17 | 63 |
| Lamp adjuster | 5 | 23 | 70 |
| Vehicle safety systems technician | 568 | 451 | 11 |
| Total | 2,653 | 1,789 | 39 |
License renewal applications: April-June 2024
| License type | Received | Approved | Average processing time (days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive repair dealer | 9,077 | 8,839 | 5 |
| Smog Check test-and-repair station | 934 | 905 | 5 |
| Smog Check test-only station | 448 | 505 | 5 |
| Smog Check repair-only station | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| STAR station | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Brake station | 151 | 148 | 5 |
| Lamp station | 152 | 146 | 5 |
| Vehicle safety systems inspection station | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Smog Check station | 1,316 | 1,316 | 5 |
| Smog Check repair technician | 589 | 589 | 5 |
| Brake adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lamp adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Vehicle safety systems technician | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Total | 12,673 | 12,454 | 5 |
Initial license applications: July-September 2024
| License type | Received | Approved | Average processing time (days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive repair dealer | 1,015 | 911 | 56 |
| Smog Check test-and-repair station | 68 | 62 | 70 |
| Smog Check test-only station | 61 | 48 | 71 |
| Smog Check repair-only station | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| STAR station | 103 | 54 | 5 |
| Brake station | 0 | 1 | 61 |
| Lamp station | 0 | 2 | 61 |
| Vehicle safety systems inspection station | 115 | 242 | 69 |
| Smog Check station | 441 | 177 | 55 |
| Smog Check repair technician | 149 | 58 | 74 |
| Brake adjuster | 0 | 1 | 95 |
| Lamp adjuster | 0 | 1 | 118 |
| Vehicle safety systems technician | 182 | 131 | 26 |
| Total | 2,134 | 1,688 | 72 |
License renewal applications: July-September 2024
| License type | Received | Approved | Average processing time (days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive repair dealer | 8,506 | 8,118 | 5 |
| Smog Check test-and-repair station | 1,026 | 985 | 5 |
| Smog Check test-only station | 618 | 594 | 5 |
| Smog Check repair-only station | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| STAR station | N//A | N/A | N/A |
| Brake station | 151 | 148 | 5 |
| Lamp station | 152 | 146 | 5 |
| Vehicle safety systems inspection station | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Smog Check station | 1,316 | 1,316 | 5 |
| Smog Check repair technician | 589 | 589 | 5 |
| Brake adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Lamp adjuster | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Vehicle safety systems technician | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Total | 12,366 | 11,904 | 5 |